JACKSON TWP. Preparing for its 20th conference season, the Stark County High School Bowling Conference held its opening coaches meeting Sunday at Park Centre Lanes with 23 of the 26 conference schools represented.
With the resignation of 10-year commissioner J.C. Heighway at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, the SCHSBC enters the season with three longtime conference coaches serving as co-commissioners — Hoover’s Jeff Sabella, McKinley’s Kim Heaton and Lake’s Pat King. King will also serve as the conference’s new vice president.
Bill Snier remains as the conference president, with Jim Heighway serving as awards, affairs and functions officer.
The conference has added two new teams this season — Lake Center Christian and Tuscarawas Central Catholic — to bring the total members to 26 over five counties.
The conference will operate with four divisions this season, with the following team breakdowns:
— Federal: GlenOak, Green, Hoover, Jackson, Lake, McKinley, Perry;
— American: Alliance, Carrollton, Canton South, Minerva, Marlington, United Local;
— National: Central Catholic, East Canton, Massillon, Louisvillle, Lake Center Christian, Triway;
— South-Eastern: New Philadelphia, Dover, Claymont, Indian Valley, Conotton Valley, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Sandy Valley.
Each team will bowl other teams in its respective division twice while adding three to four other matches against other division teams allowing for outside tournament or nonconference matches. Team may not bowl more than 24 events, as mandated by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
The season officially begins Nov. 19 with Dover facing Garaway.
Other items discussed:
— The SCHSBC Kickoff Tournament is at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at Park Centre. Players must wear masks during the competition and, as was the rule last season, no spectators will be permitted for the opener. Volunteers are needed to assist in running this year’s event. Contact Heaton for information.
— The OHSAA has returned to prepandemic rules. That includes rosters again returning to eight active players on varsity and junior varsity, up from six a year ago. Also, up to five bowling balls can be brought into the building (it was three last season).
— Conference coaches agreed to bowl matches without interaction between the teams to start the season as a COVID safety precaution. Wearing of masks will be observed according to each school district’s specifications.
— Spectators will be permitted at matches this season, with mask mandates determined by the bowling center in keeping with COVID protocols.
See more as snieronbowling.com sits down with the three new commissioners to get their thoughts on the present and future of the conference later this week.