Published: March 27, 2009 12:21 am      

Craig Davis perfect, Helsley one short

Craig Davis bowled a perfect game in his 714 set at Wilson Lanes on March 19 in the Thursday Night Trio League. Rodney Helsley rolled 706/299 in the Monday Men’s League also at Wilson Lanes.

The leading scorer in the area was Shane Nickleson’s 767/265, bowled at White Oak Lanes. Paul Pryor’s 694/237 was the next highest.

Bob Greene’s 764/269 was highest at Wilson Lanes followed by Rodney Kesner’s 724/277 and Joe Shoemaker’s 717/278.

At The Bowler, Norm Nicol rolled 744/269 for that center’s high for the week. Corey Shirey was next high, scoring 722/267. Jerry Noel in the Harmony League rolled a 288 game in his 650 set.

Ralph Knieriem and Tom Fairgrieve were the leaders at Sherwood Lanes bowling 661/267 and 656/234 respectively.

Rodney Helsley bowled 651/252 for the high at Rainbow Lanes. Steve Capaldi’s 644/236 followed.

The top bowlers in the PBA Experience League at White Oaks were Chad Gable, rolling 702/246; Mike Brobst, scoring 631/221; and Derek Yates, bowling 625/237.

The area’s top lady bowler for the week was Crystal Uhl who rolled 663/225 at The Bowler. Dawn House followed, scoring 592/200.

Vicki Coughlin was highest of the White Oak ladies bowling 618/231. Janice Mercer also had a big score, posting 592/213.

Rainbow’s Pam Brinkman’s 615/222 scored that center’s high for the ladies, followed by Dee Self’s 603/225.

Alice Monahan bowled 581/218 at Sherwood Lanes.

Pat Gwizdale scored 567/203 for the high at Wilson Lanes. Melissa Snyder was next, rolling 544/203.

Darrell Boatman rolled 558/207 at The Bowler for the area’s senior high for the week. Toni Myers scored 542/187 at White Oaks and senior Barb Miller bowled 534/188 at Sherwood Lanes.

Youth bowler Wes Weems rolled a big 279 game and 659 set at White Oaks for the area’s top youth bowling score. Alex Folmer scored 623/212 at The Bowler. Youth Tyler Mansfield bowled 586/222 at Rainbow and Seth Baer rolled 544/218 at Sherwood Lanes.

The warmer weather is starting to affect bowling scores. Lane conditions will probably dry out quicker so the transition phase that seems to cause most of the problems will not last as long. Warm weather gives rise to more outdoor activity so we probably don’t practice our bowling as much and I could find many more excuses for low scoring. Practice is the most important part of good performance on the lanes. We all need spare practice to keep our focus on the shot in front of us.

This coming weekend is when the youth bowlers from the state will invade White Oak Lanes for the State Pepsi Tournament. Make the out-of-towners feel welcome.

Good luck bowling and have fun striking out!

Howard “Pete” Peterson is the bowling columnist for the Times-News. He can be reached at petesbowling@atlanticbb.net.