Gurney Falters in PBA Final

Top qualifier Barry Gurney of West Hills was beaten by Darryl Curtis of Kent, Wash., 218-195, in the final of the $65,000 Springfield (Mo.) PBA Senior Open at Enterprise Park Lanes on Wednesday.

Gurney, 52, who led since rolling a 300 in his second qualifying game, carried a 229.76 average and 327-pin lead into the stepladder final.

But the left-hander left the 7-pin standing in five frames.

Curtis, who trailed by 22 pins at one point, had strikes in the ninth and 10th frames and took the victory after Gurney spared in the 10th.

Gurney received $3,000 for being runner-up. It was a payday that could not have arrived too soon.

Gurney, who covers his own entry fees and traveling expenses, said his 1993 expenses far exceeded his earnings before the Springfield tournament. Now the numbers are even, he said.

Football

Quarterback Keith Smith of Newbury Park High, running back Tyrone Crenshaw of Sylmar and defensive back Rommel Butler of Royal have been chosen as part of a 100-player Reebok preseason All-American high school team.

Smith passed for 3,318 yards and 30 touchdowns last season while leading Newbury Park to its first Marmonte League title in 11 years.

Crenshaw rushed for 1,875 yards and 22 touchdowns in 235 carries while leading Sylmar to the City Section 4-A Division championship and an appearance in the first CIF/Reebok Bowl at Anaheim Stadium.

Crenshaw was later named the 4-A player of the year.

Butler, a defensive back, intercepted four passes for Royal, which led the Marmonte League in team defense.

Golf

Joel Pyron of Ventura fired rounds of 76 and 77 on Monday and Tuesday to win the Las Posas Country Club Junior Championship.

The tournament was sponsored by the Ventura County Junior Golf Assn., which will hold its next event Monday at Los Robles Golf and Country Club in Thousand Oaks.

Information: 805-482-6037.

Basketball

Canoga Park High is seeking a walk-on girls’ coach, according to Athletic Director Bob Marks.

Information: 818-340-3221.