Area digest 6/9/04

Inaugural hoops tourney draws 100-plus players

Approved Auto Sales and Team McBride walked away with championships this weekend in the first Debra McBride Youth Basketball Tournament, a three-day event played at Indian Park in downtown Cape Girardeau.

More than 100 children played on teams in the 5-9 and 10-12 age divisions.

Approved Auto Sales won the 5-9 age group. Players on the team were: Mercedes Ayers, DeAndre Banks, JaVonta Daniels, Darrice Ellis, Dartez Harris, Devonce Patterson, Deion Thillis, Hakeem Pratcher and Jalen Reddin.

Team McBride won the 10-12 age group. Team members were Rodney Charles White, Adrian Robinson, Detavian Richardson, Starr Harris, Josh Goza, Donzell Miller, Lavonzo Martin, Loronzo Martin, Drayshon Mercier, Kelan Moore, Darneqwa Harris, Kayla Durham, Terrance Spillers, Abraham Tarrow, Kennett Tarrow and Liam Myer.

McKinney cards ace at United Way tourney

Lance McKinney carded a hole in one Monday at Cape Girardeau Country Club during the United Way Tournament.

McKinney used an 8-iron to ace No. 8, a par 3 playing 155 yards. Witnesses were teammates Karen Rigdon, Phil Cantoni and Linda Long.

The team finished second for the event with a score of 53.5.

The team of Jim Rust, Bev Rust, Mike Watson and Mike Edwards earned top honors with a score of 50.8. Jim Rust also won closest-to-the-pin honors on No. 13.

In third was the team of Mike Middleton, Bill Morgan, Charlie Mayo and Roger Slinkard with a score of 55.2.

The last-place team of Karen Schenkelberg, Jim Coffey, Curt Buehler and Lee Haupt also received prizes.

McKinney was closest-to-the-pin on No. 8 with his hole-in-one. Other than Jim Rust, other closest-to-the-pin winners were: Pat Gorham on No. 2, Brad Elfrink on No. 6, David Shell on No. 11 and Mark Kneer on No. 16.

Cheryl Ziegler was closest to the line on No. 1.

Long-drive winners were Garrett Williams for the men and Velvet Milkman for the women.

Long-putt winners were Gene Davenport on No. 17 and Tony Sebek on No. 9.

Hamilton scores ace in inaugural tournament

Martha Hamilton scored a hole in one on No. 8 Saturday during the two-day Triple Crown Tournament at Cape Girardeau Country Club.

The team of Ken Hosea, Ben McKuin and Kevin Rains won the championship flight for the event, which was being conducted for the first time. The team of Mike Litz, Rob Litz and Jack Litz Jr. placed second in that flight.

The A flight was won by the team of Brian Stevens, Blake Esicar and Craig Wilson.

The B flight was won by the team of Harry Rediger, Frank Bean and Mary Ellen Bean.

The top three teams in each flight are listed in today's Scoreboard, Page 2B.

Thompson fires hole in one

Jim Thompson of Jackson carded his first career hole in one Monday at Kimbeland Country Club.

Thompson carded the ace with a pitching wedge on No. 12, a par 3 playing 90 yards. Ray Moore witnessed the shot. Thompson, 71, has been golfing for 58 years.

Local teams qualify for NSA World Series

The National Softball Association World Series Qualifier concluded Sunday at Shawnee Park Softball Complex with several local teams making the cut.

The Kelso SEMO Magic fell 3-0 in the finals of the 12-and-under bracket to the Jonesboro, Ill., Crush. In the 14-and-under championship, another Kelso team, the Kelso Flames, lost 3-1 to the Southern Illinois Dirty Dawgs.

The Scott County Loose Cannons fell to the SEMO Magic 3-1 in the finals of the 16-and-under group.

The Legion of Doom (Eaton) of St. Louis won the 18-and-under bracket, and Travelers (Jameson) won the women's age group.

Other local teams to qualify for the world series in East Peoria, Ill., include the Chaffee Lady Devils in the 14-and-under age group and the Southeast Trimmers out of Sikeston in the 16-and-under division.

-- From staff reports