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AHS' Johns leading SOC tournament ROSEBURG - Ashland High's Stephanie Johns is leading the pack after the first round of the Southern Oregon Conference girls' tournament at Roseburg Country Club. Johns shot a 38 on the back nine, to finish with an 81, one shot ahead of Roseburg's Melissa Carl. "She's hitting the ball very well, very long," said North Medford coach Tim Sam. As a team, the Grizzlies are in third place after the opening 18 holes, following Grants Pass and Roseburg, but are in fourth for overall conference points, where North Medford leads. The Black Tornado, with a season score of 2,306, has a 60-shot lead over Grants Pass going into Day 2 of the district tournament today. "We didn't play particularly well (Thursday)," said North Medford coach Tim Sam. "We have to play decent (today) and hang on." The overall season leader - there are seven counting rounds - goes to state as No. 1. The district winner goes as No. 2. If the same team wins both titles, the district runner-up advances as No. 2. Sophomore twin sisters Stephanie and Elaina Graham left the team with one regular-season match to play. They had alternated with Kacie Kinney throughout the season in the team's 1-3 spots. Nevertheless, the Tornado is in strong position for the No. 1 berth and isn't out of contention here. "Four teams are battling for the district championship," said Sam, who added he hasn't seen this tight of a race in his four years at the helm. "That's making the conference race a little more interesting as well." Kinney had the low round for the Black Tornado, shooting 42-51-93. The front side was one of her best nines of the year; the back was one of her worst. "She's playing her best golf at the end of the year, if you take away that back nine," said Sam. "I wouldn't be surprised to see her shoot in the low- to mid-80s (today). That's what we're hoping for." In addition to two teams, the top five individuals qualify for state May 19-20 at Langdon Farms in Aurora. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -