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--> --> July 16: Johns wins state match play crown Ashland Daily Tidings TUALATIN - Don't count Ashland's Stephanie Johns out. Despite injuries from a bike accident, the 14-year-old swept through the competition to win the State Match Play Championship at the Tualatin Country Club held July 10-13. Johns, playing in the intermediate girls division (12-14), knocked off Kendra Little of Eugene 2 and 1 to win the state crown. The tournament started July 10 with a round of stroke play to decide the seedings. Johns fired an 84 and finished one stroke behind Little. Once match play started the next day, Johns was on a roll. Johns defeated Portland's Breanne Smith 2 up to advance to Thursday's semifinals. In the semis, Johns and good friend Jessica Black of Bend battled evenly through the first 17 holes. From the 14th hole on, the matchup was all square. Finally on the 18th, Johns nailed a par putt to win the match 1 up. Johns continued her roll Friday, with the victory over Little for the state crown. The incoming Ashland High freshman has now won all four of the tournaments she's played in this summer. But Johns almost didn't make the state championship. After qualifying for the tournament June 29, Johns suffered injuries to both arms after a bike accident the next day. Even though she wasn't seriously injured, Johns thought she couldn't play at the state tourney. Both of Johns arms were bandaged at the elbow and she hadn't played golf since the accident. But on July 8, Johns went out to the Oak Knoll Golf Course driving range in Ashland to test her shots. Johns ended up playing a round of golf and was convinced she could play in the championship. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing