The Chuckey-Doak boys bowling team got one step closer to a state championship on Thursday by picking up a 15-12 win over Cleveland in the first round of the state tournament in Smyrna.
Cleveland took a 6-2 lead after the first game, winning four of the six head-to-head matchups and taking the pin total 1026-959. Britton Clark led the way with a 194.
For Chuckey-Doak Gavin Murray had a 217 and Eric White a 194.
In the second game Chuckey-Doak closed the gap to 9-7 by winning three head-to-head matchups and taking the pin total 1018-1005. Evan Stills and Murray each rolled a 222, and Hayden Williamson had a 198 for the Black Knights.
For Cleveland Parker Rogers (182), Carter Pierce (157) and Darius Thompson (158) scored.
Chuckey-Doak took the lead by sweeping the Baker Games. It won the first game 170-143, and the second 137-120.
Chuckey-Doak will be back in action in the state semifinals on Friday at 10 a.m. EST against Creek Wood. The state championship match will follow at 1 p.m.
On Wednesday Murray received the Mr. Bowling award, recognized as the best bowler in Division I by the state’s coaches.
Murray also competed in the individual state tournament on Wednesday and finished in fourth place. In the semifinals he earned the third seed by rolling a 1278 over six frames for a 213 average. His top score was 247.
Elijah Pipkin (226.5) of Bartlett, Blayden Bean (217.5) of Franklin County, Wiliam Davis (211.7) of Columbia, Kamden Morris (209) of Hardin County and Preston Whitside (208) of Bartlett all advanced to the Ladder Matches with Murray.
Murray was eliminated by Davis 268-201 in his ladder match. Davis’s 268 was the highest pinfall of the day.
Pipkin defeated Davis 223-190 in the state championship match.
