Columnist John McCarron: Mountain tears up Nevada Tournaments

John McCarron

Thursday, March 12, 1998 | 12:02 p.m.

JOHN McCARRONis a former pro bowler, international coach and a member of the Massachusetts Bowling Hall of Fame. He can be reached via the internet at J300SUN@aol.com or by fax at 254-7330.

HAROLD MOUNTAIN continued his torrid pace in the NTBA Bowl Nevada tournament series with a hard-fought victory over sharpshooter Rick Freels at Terrible's Town Eight-Game Shootout last Sunday.

Mountain totaled 1770 to Freels' 1743 in what turned out to be a two-man contest as the two great bowlers traded the lead four times during the course of the day. It was a day for the straighter players as senior Larry Rumple, 1689, hard-charging Richard Zenner, 1679, and tough Jim Moran, 1580, completed the cash parade.

Mountain and Freels had the tourney's highest games with 265 and 263. Mountain now has a third place, two seconds and a win in his four 1998 tournaments while Freels is just behind with two thirds and a second-place finish.

* TRIVIA TIME: What is the highest game with consecutive Brooklyn strikes?

* NTBA UPDATE: The next NTBA Bowl Nevada event is the Showboat Showoff to be held at Showboat Lanes at 9 p.m. Friday. The conditions for this tourney and others in the Showboat series will be similar to a national event. Entry fee is is $60. Call Bea Goodwin or Dave Kaus at 385-9150 for further information.

* SSBT UPDATE: The next event, set for 10 a.m. Sunday at the Showboat, should be a good one. Call tournament director Gary Walters at 646-8466 for information.

* GOLD COAST: The Gold Coast Shoot-Out is held every Thursday at 11:30 p.m. with a $25 entry fee. Call tournament director Jason Gupton at 367-4700 for details.

* COACH'S CORNER: With the tournament scene upon us another very important part of competition is being prepared to compete. Seeing your pro shop operator and getting your balls fine-tuned is a good start. But one of the most overlooked parts of getting ready is accessories. These small but important items can be the difference in making the cut or going home without a paycheck. There are many articles to choose from. For the shoes: brush, shoe covers, easy slide, shoe laces. Wrist: Brace, liner for your glove. Ball: a towel, cleaner, easy slide, bowlers tape (white and black), bevel knife, pocket knife, rosin, an extra set of finger grips, super glue, scotch bright pad and sandpaper. This list is only a guide as you may feel the need to add to it or subtract from it. Regardless, you will be prepared.

* TRIVIA ANSWER: Charles Robinson rolled 12 consecutive Brooklyns for a 300 game.