SHS girls roll for a state title
There is nothing Starkville High School bowling coach Jim Philamlee would like more than to send his four seniors out with another state championship.
Philamlee values the commitment that Carri Ashford, Amber Lee, Savannah Lee and Kanesha McLemore have given to the program and wants to see them succeed on the lanes at the state tournament one more time.
“It would be great if we could send these four out winners again,” Philamlee said.
The state tournament will take place today at Metro 24 Lanes in Jackson. The Lady Jackets won the state championship in 2016 and Lee hopes that experience will benefit them going into this year’s event.
After not winning last year, Lee said it has helped her strive to perform even better.
“Hopefully it will pull the team so we end up in first place and take home a ring and a trophy,” Lee said.
Since this is the last stand for the seniors, Miller wants to go out on top. Miller admits being sad that this is her last tournament with SHS and even a little bit nervous, but that it also motivates her.
“We’re really determined to get the title back and become state champions,” Miller said.
Madi Carter, Chasity Cook and Veronica Cook are the rest of the Lady Jackets looking to bring back a state title.
State tournament festivities began with a practice round on Thursday night and a meal on Thursday night. Competition begins today at 10 a.m.
Philamlee believes in his team and knows any team can get hot and have a state tournament success in any year.
“It’s not a matter of high score, but a matter of beating the other teams so they may not shoot very high,” Philamlee said. “Just like any other time, a person may not do good.
“We finished second at Southaven (in regionals) the week before last and we didn’t bowl that good, but we bowled good enough for second place and we played for the championship up there.”
Lee knows a state tournament situation is going to be competitive because all of the teams are there to win.
She said no one should underestimate the will of SHS.
“We’ve got to make sure we come out on top and make sure everyone knows we are a competitive team as well,” Lee said. “They are going to have to be worried because we are coming to win.”