McKinley High School senior Hunter Henson says he tries to copy the release of senior teammate Zachary McCutchan.
“Sometimes I do that … just watching him and trying to copy what he does,” said Henson, a two-handed right-hander who carries a 191.48 average in the Stark County High School Bowling Conference.
And McCutchan, another two-handed righty who currently leads the conference with a 232.84 average, also watches Henson’s game.
“If he’s struggling, I try to coach him. I look at his ball reaction or footwork to see if I can help,” McCutchan said. “I want to see what I can do to help and then let him fix himself.”
The two also share another common trait in the conference this season: the only two 300 games thrown during competition. McCutchan had his in December against Lake at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes while Henson had his Friday in a match against Hoover at Park Centre.
Henson, who had a previous high game of 268, admittedly pulled his shots in the sixth and seventh frames, but both hit solidly on crossovers. He then struck out for his first 300.
“It’s been my best year. I got a new ball (Storm Phaze 2) that would work for me the way I was releasing it and what I’m doing with it” Henson said. “I was using an old Roto Grip ball I’d had since freshman year and wanted to go up from there.”
McCutchan’s 300 was his third overall, but the first USBC-sanctioned one. He had one on his birthday — “I think it was during glow bowling,” he added — and another while subbing during an offseason sport shot league at Park Centre.
“My 11th shot was a little scary because I pulled it a bit,” said McCutchan, who used a Purple Hammer urethane. “I might have got lucky there.
“When Hunter got his I was just super proud. I was yelling in his ear I’m proud of you and I knew you could do it.”
Both bowlers would like to see their seasons end with solid postseason performances. McCutchan reached state as an individual in 2020, finishing 55th overall. Both were members of the McKinley team that made the cut to match play and finished eighth in Division I a year ago although Henson saw little action.
“Right now, it’s about taking baby steps. Make the cut at sectionals and go from there,” McCutchan said. “I was there as an individual and there’s a difference having the team there with you. We have to have the confidence that we can make it.”
Henson feels his only way to qualify is as a part of the team.
“With my average and all, I’m probably not making it as an individual,” Henson said. “But just to go there would be a great experience.”
SUBURBAN LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
Nordonia swept the boys and girls division titles during the Suburban League Postseason Tournament on Saturday at AMF Riviera Lanes in Fairlawn.
The Knights boys finished with 4,010 total pinfall, including a high tourney game of 1,057, to top Stow-Munroe Falls by 60 pins (3,950) with Copley taking third (3,730)
Stow turned in the top Baker System set with 1,001 in the 13-team event.
Nordonia’s Bryce Lewin was the high individual with a 782 series, including a high tourney game of 278 in Game 1, with Nordonia’s Matt Willis also shooting 653 to lead the Knights.
In the girls division, the Knights finished with 3,268 to finish 16 pins ahead of Tallmadge (3,052), with Barberton taking third (2,825). The Knights posted the high tourney game of 921 in Game 2.
Individually, Nordonia’s Kolbey Lewin (557) and Kaitlyn McNutt (518) led the field, with Tallmadge’s Dee Dee Elijah, Lillian Wasch of Barberton and Tallmadge’s MaKayla Legg tying for third with 513.
McNutt had the high girls game of 225 in Game 2, Nordonia posted the high Baker series with 774.
Results of the tourney will be coupled with regular-season standings and the preseason event to determine the conference champions.
OHIO CARDINAL CONFERENCE
Ashland’s boys and girls wrapped up Ohio Cardinal Conference titles with their finishes Saturday during the Ohio Cardinal Conference Postseason Tournament at Lex Lanes in Lexington.
The Arrows girls finished with 15 points to claim the title, three ahead of Lexington, with Wooster taking third with 10.
Wooster girls coach Tracie Leiendecker was named the conference’s coach of the year while Ashland’s Jada Baker was the bowler of the year with a 210.2 average.
During the tournament, the Arrows qualified first overall with 4,274 total pinfall, with Baker leading the way with a 647 series, Amelia Brown adding 626 and Aubrie Cooke 618. In the best-of-five Baker System finals, Ashland topped Lexington 3-0.
In the boys division, Ashland’s Jim Brown was named coach of the year with the Arrows’ Luke Rhine as bowler of the year with a 232.8 average.
The Arrows finished with 15 points, with Mansfield Senior taking second (10.5) and Wooster third (10).
During the tournament, the Arrows qualified first with 4,592 total pinfall, with Max Oaken leading the way with a 760 series, followed by Rhine (722) and Parker Grissinger (710). The Arrows swept by Mansfield 3-0 in the title match.