AKRON — Brian Gates felt his team had a chance to advance to district coming into Friday’s Division II Tri-County high school bowling sectional.
“The nerves were what I was worried about,” the Canton South head coach said, “even though we have a lot of seniors.”
After a 778 in Game 1 put the Wildcats in eighth place out of 10 teams at Stonehedge Family Fun Center, Canton South was able to rally behind individual champion and senior Aaron Knop to claim third place and earn the final spot for the Division II Northeast District Tournament.
The district is set for 10 a.m. Feb. 25 at Holiday Bowl in Struthers.
“It was a very up-and-down day,” said Gates after his Wildcats earned the first team district appearance in program history. “We just missed a lot of easy spares.
“The Bakers just weren’t there. Once we got them wrangled in, they were able to put something together.”
The Wildcats rallied in Game 2 with a 952, the third highest team game of the day, as Knop led the way with a 233. The senior, who qualified to district a year ago individually, finished with a 679 series to top the field.
“Aaron just had a really good look. He got inside to third arrow, sent it right, and his ball just read the lanes really well,” Gates said. “Especially on the last two pairs we hit.”
After moving into third after Game 2, the Wildcats never dropped below that level, finishing 137 pins ahead of fourth-place East Canton with 3,732 total pinfall. The Hornets finished with 3,595.
Rootstown topped the field with 3,906, followed by Peninsula Woodridge with 3,799.
“That first pair was a little weird at first. It seemed after the first two games, we got a little better relaxed,” Gates said. “After that horrible first game on that pair I admit I was nervous when we hit it again for Bakers. That pair was just not reacting like the others.”
Knop admitted nerves played a part when he shot 198 in Game 1.
‘But I think it was mostly pressure with how many people were there around us,” Knop said. “I was a little upset after Game 1. But in Games 2 and 3 I just focused a lot and just kept my eye on my mark.”
Gates felt his team proved itself by taking Park Centre Holiday Tournament champion McKinley to the wire in Game 5 during a tournament quarterfinal match before falling.
“We took them to the last game and bowled really well,” Gates said. “The biggest thing is not to bowl down to the competition around us. We need to do what we need to do.”
The Wildcats also got a 554 series from junior Nicholas Fyffe and 507 from sophomore Trevor Gore.
“If we all focus, hit our marks and play as a team, we have a chance (at district),” Knop said.
“Dreams do come true at some point.”
East Canton was led by individual qualifier Bryce Beadnell’s 594 series, and senior Jaxon McDonald added 569.
Among other area teams, United Local finished sixth (3,467) with sophomore Ethan Hively leading with a 573 series; Lake Center Christian was eighth (3,355); and Central Catholic was ninth (3.354).
Junior Jacob Wyder led Lake Center with 560. Senior James Brown was high for the Crusaders with 537 and freshman Logan Gawk added 514.
After a key Stark County Conference match Thursday against Minerva, the Wildcats will begin preparations for the next step.
“I know one thing,” Gates said, “we’re going to do a lot of spare shooting.”