By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

Several of the state’s finest tennis players converged at the Pelham Tennis Club Aug. 1-3 to participate in the Alabama State Closed Hard Court Championships.

The action was intense, and featured several of Shelby County’s best players showing out at their home event, despite somewhat inclement weather.

“It went well,” said event coordinator Ken Vines. “We had a three-hour rain delay, but overall, it went well.”

Vines said the weather didn’t slow the action on the courts.

“We had some really close matches,” he said. “I was happy with the turnout.”

The categories were based on the numerical value of the National Tennis Rating Program, which helps players self-rank themselves on a scale of 1-5, with the No. 1 being closest to novice, and 5 being closest to expert.

The results for each category that featured a Shelby County player are as follows:

• 3.0 NTRP Ranking Men’s Singles Finals:

Chris Clark, of Pelham, captured the championship over Crosby Thomley.

• 3.5 NTRP Ranking Men’s Doubles:

Clark and Brian Screws, of Maylene, took the trophy home.

• 4.0 NTRP Ranking Men’s Doubles:
Ian Mills, of Pelham, and partner Josh Patrick won in the finals.

• 3.0 NTRP Ranking Women’s Doubles:

Sandy Setser, of Sterrit, and partner Laura Partian took home first in the finals. Finishing runner-up was the duo of Dianne Crandall, of Pelham, and Christie Williamson, of Calera.

• 4.5 NTRP Ranking Women’s Doubles:

Nicki Keller and Charli Lavette, both of Pelham, took the trophy in the finals.

• 7.0 NTRP Ranking Mixed Doubles

Ian and Katy Mills, both of Pelham, finished second overall, coming up short in the finals.

• 8.0 NTRP Ranking Mixed Doubles

Maylene’s Screws captured another title, as he and partner Katie Prodoehl won the overall in the class.