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Versailles Boys Bowlers Miss State by 17
Pins
With High School Bowling still being only 1 Division, which will
finally be changing to 2 Divisions in the 2013-14 Season, the road to
State was going to be a tough one. “All of you guys need to be on your
game today. This is a tough field of teams, but there is no doubt in my
mind you guys can end up in the top 4.” With 24 teams competing in the
Southwest District, only 4 Boys teams would qualify for the State
Championships in Columbus this weekend.
This year’s District Championships were held at the 68 lane Beaver-Vu
Bowl in Beavercreek, Ohio on Saturday, February 23rd, 2013. The format
was 3 regular games and 6 baker games. Total pinfall would determine
the State Qualifiers. The Tigers started out with a nice game of 1,000
which put them in 7th place behind Kettering Fairmont, Oak Hills,
Centerville, Middletown, Fairborn and Northwestern. The second game was
even better posting a score of 1,053. This put them in 4th place and
right in the thick of things. The lanes conditions were starting to
change quite rapidly and the boys were making crucial adjustments. The
Tigers rolled a 940 the 3rd game to post a 3 Game Score of 2,993.
“I told the boys before we started to just keep it close and to give us
a chance once the Baker Games started. The boys did just that and found
themselves only 8 pins out going into the Baker Games.” After 3 Games
complete it was: Oak Hills 3101, Beavercreek 3041, Centerville 3036,
Northmont 3001, Versailles 2993, Kettering Fairmont 2991 Troy 2990,
Middletown 2893, Fairborn 2885 and Sidney 2877. The stage was set and
any of these teams had a legitimate chance at making the State Finals.
“I told the guys to go out and just bowl their games, have fun and not
be nervous. Let’s put up some scores and see what happens. We can only
control what we do and nothing else.”
Early on in the Baker Games, it was tough to find the right combination
and the Tigers struggled a little bit rolling 169 and 161. “A few other
teams are having some issues as well, we are still in this. You guys
need to find a way to dig a little deeper and make this happen.” The
guys did just that and went a roll firing 216, 215 and 187. With one
more game to go, it was literally down to Versailles, Kettering
Fairmont, Northmont and Troy. Versailles looked as if they were going
to make the move and qualify for State as a team for the first time
ever in this tough Southwest District. They started out with the first
3 strikes in a row. Nathan Peters was the 4th bowler and rolled a
perfect shot only to leave a solid 10 pin. He converted the spare.
Michael Davidson was then up and crushed the pocket and left a solid 9
pin. These two taps did not get the Tigers down. “With Kenny Nagel,
Jordan Groff, Nathan Peters and Michael Davidson up to finish the game,
anything could happen. You could just see the determiniation in their
faces.” Kenny, Jordan and Nate all rolled strikes with Davidson to
anchor the tenth. At this point, it was still unclear at what was
needed. “At this point, all you can do is try your best to make a good
shot. Once you release the ball, you have no control at what will
happen.” Michael rolled his first ball in the tenth and shattered the
rack as he did all day long, the head pin flew to the side wall, came
across the pin deck (in bowling terms, this is called a messenger) and
went right in front of the ten pin. Along with the 6 pin tapped the 10
pin, but it just wiggled and did not fall down. He proceeded to make
the spare and then struck. The Tigers finished with 223 and a fine
4,181 total pinfall.
As the scores were being tallied, it looked as if Versailles was going
to just miss the top 4. Kettering Fairmont and Troy ended with Baker
games of 233 and 234, which sealed the fate of the Tigers. The top 4
teams out of the Southwest District was Oak Hills 4328, Beavercreek
4276, Kettering Fairmont 4207 and Troy 4181. “Bowling is a game of
inches and a game of who gets the most breaks and can carry the single
pins the best. All of you guys needed to make great shots under the
extreme pressure in the last game and you guys did just that.
Unfortunately, the breaks did not go our way this last game.”
“Once again, this was a great group of kids to coach. We had (4)
returning letterman (3 of them Seniors), and (4) 1st year Varsity
players. To have our best finish ever at the District Championships
says something about the work ethic and drive that this team had.” The
team was led by Michael Davidson with a 771 series with games of 249,
279 and 244. He set two new school records for the high series that he
set last week in Sectionals and also set the new high single game
record of 279. Jordan Groff finished his fine High School Bowling
career with a 637 series with games of 244, 200 and 193. Nathan Peters
also finished his High School career and was a 4 year varsity
letterman. He finished with a 589 series with games of 174, 214 and
201. “Unfortunately, Brandon Groff who also finished his High School
Bowling Career suffered an injury to his wrist right before Sectionals
and was not able to compete at 100%. Brandon fought through it, but he
was not 100%. Hats off Brandon for fighting through it and helping his
team almost make it to State.”
The Girls Varsity Districts were scheduled for last Friday, but was
postponed due to inclement weather. Their match was held at the same
venue on Monday, February 25th after the deadline to submit articles.
Michael Davidson led the field of over 144 players to qualify for the
State Championships by rolling a 771 series.
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