February 20, 2011

Whitehall shooters win a pair

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By Jim Lafayette

Jason Pratt and John Hollister each shot 197 to lead the Whitehall Rifle Club to a 980-949 win against Reynolds Road last week. This was the third time the two shooters shot matching scores; Hollister is averaging 197.6 and Pratt is at 196.

Pete Steffan was the number-three shooter on the team with 196, slightly better than his season average of 195.8. Dick McMore and Lou Pratt rounded out the top five with a pair of 195s. McMore’s season average is a very good 195.5 while Pratt has been off to a slow start but is now beginning to shoot like he is capable. He has an average of 194.

This week, Whitehall is at Hudson Falls. Whitehall is averaging 980, while Hudson Falls is at 963, but it is a team that seems to like a tough match and has made Whitehall very nervous in the past. Hudson Falls has some good shooters and an excellent facility.

The big match for Whitehall comes in early March when it hosts Galway, which already owns a victory over the local team.

Scott Fish had a season high 194 but that was only good for sixth place on a five-man team. In general, 194 is a very good score but this is the Whitehall Rifle Club and sometimes good isn’t good enough. The team is shooting well when a 194 doesn’t make the cut.

Nate Lipka shot 193 and Brian Hollister 192 while Jim McGinnis is having his best season yet, shooting 191.

The previous week, Whitehall had continued its excellent performance at its home range, beating Moreau, 985-835. Whitehall Rifle Club is very comfortable on its home range. After shooting a disappointing 968 in a loss at Galway, the locals have averaged 983.33 in the three-week home stand. Galway will be here on March 3. It remains to be seen how that will go but a 983 or better that night would be a good effort.

In the Moreau match, Hollister and Pratt shot matching 198s. At home, Hollister is averaging 198.33 while Pratt is at 197 for the three home matches. It seems Hollister likes coming out of the barn and driving a few hundred yards down the road

McMore wasn’t far behind with 197. He has had a pretty strong season, averaging 195.6. The past three weeks, on his home range, he has averaged 197. McMore actually has his foot prints painted on the floor, so he knows exactly where to stand when shooting off hand.

The fourth and fifth spots were earned by Steffan and Pratt each with 196. This was Pratt’s best outing for the season while Steffan has a 198 and a 197 to his credit.

Whitehall had plenty of backup with Dan Holcomb and Lipka posting 194s, John Sharp 193 and McGinnis 191.