The stakes are getting higher for local high school bowlers. The regular season has come to an end with conference tournaments on tap this weekend. Bowling sectionals kick off on Feb. 14 with Lorain County schools competing in the Northeast region at Rebman’s Recreation. The 26 boys teams will start bowling at 9 a.m. and the top nine teams will advance to district play, along with the top seven individuals (on non-qualifying teams) will also advance. There will be 20 girl’s teams that begin play at 2 p.m. and the top seven teams and top seven individuals (on non-qualifying teams) will advance. Norwalk, Perkins and Sandusky will compete in the Northwest region at Seneca Lanes in Fostoria.
Rangers look to return to state
The North Ridgeville boy’s team finished in sixth place in the state last year. Coach Frank Kotas has another strong team this season as his team went 13-0 in the regular season.
“The guys are bowling really well,” Kotas said. “Obviously our goal is to get back to the state tournament.”
The Rangers have a lot of depth as their top six bowlers all average over 194. Collin Oliva leads the team and the NSBC with a 222.8. Adam Kotas and Brandon Becka both average over 200 while Joe Sas, Ricky Cayet and Mike O’Sullivan are all in the 190s.
“There is not much they can improve on,” Kotas said. “They have all done a great job all year. We just have to continue to do what we have done all year.”
Rangers sweep NSBC titles
The North Ridgeville girls team is having a great season as well finishing 13-0.
“It was an awesome season,” head coach Debjo Lamb said. “We have five of the top 10 averages in the league.”
Heather Hill (179), Tabithia Hill (178), Cassie Pawlak (176), Becca Lamb (169) and Ashley Schoonover (164) have Lamb believing that the post-season could be a lot of fun.
“I feel confident,” she said. “We haven’t seem much of the others team so it will be a challenge but we are the defending champs.”
The Hill sisters and Becca Lamb are seniors. Their goal was to finish strong.
“Heather has been bowling awesome the last four or five weeks,” Coach Lamb said. “The seniors want to finish on a high note but it will take a total team effort.”
Saints show depth
Southview head coach Peg Ham has balanced team on the boys side.
“We have a lot of depth,” she said. “My boys should do okay. We have high hopes.”
Chris Browning leads the team with a 194 average. Travis Szabo is right behind him with a 193. Malik Sydnor (178), Sam Schaefer (175), Antonio Reyes (173), Brian Burge (165) and Shawn Kopp (165) add to the depth.
“This is Chris’s first year bowling. I asked him where he was last year,” Ham said. “Travis has just moved up from J.V. He is only freshman and has really surprised me. I asked him what he has been eating and told him to keep eating it.”
On the girls team, Ceira Diaz led the NSBC with a 181 average.
“She has been up and down but she has come around and has really started to peak,” Ham said.
Admirals have improved
Admiral King head coach Terri Velasquez said her boys team has really improved.
“We have gotten a lot better and I am looking forward to sectionals and conference,” Velasquez said.
Solomon Fenn leads the team with 199 average. Anthony Velasquez is next with 191. Dimitri Harris (181), Joseph Strader (174) and Felix Serrano (168) round out the top five.
“Anthony has been our anchor,” coach Velasquez said. “Dimitri has been a lot more consistent. Solomon has done a great job as has Joe. All of them can pull big scores.”
Amherst ready for postseason
The Amherst boys team finished with a 9-4 record in NSBC.
“It wasn’t as good as we expected,” coach Jim Loos said. “We lost some matches I didn’t expect to but we should make it to districts. We only missed by 10 points last year.”
Loos said his team leaders are Steven Loos (203) , Drew Moore (190) and Brandon Stamco (196).
“They have turned into the team leader,” coach Loos said. “I except all three to bowl their average or higher in the tournament. Sophomore Shane Starbuck has been very dependable and freshman Matt Rainey has really been improving. I am excited for sectionals.”
On the girls side, Loos believes the team has a chance to advance but if they don’t he has three bowlers capable of moving on as individuals in Allison Flock (163) , Karissa Lisicky (163) and Kayla Thompson (167).
Almost perfect
Jaz Bluhm of Perkins bowled a 299 last week.
“By the fourth frame I noticed he was bowling strong,” head coach Ken Biggert said. “His first 11 shots were really solid and the 12th was just a hair too soon.”
