NORTON — During the early part of the 2023-24 girls high school bowling tournament schedule, Nordonia is batting 1.000.
The Knights, the defending OHSAA Division I state champions with six girls returning off that squad, have bowled in four tournaments this season. They are 4-for-4 in the win column.
“These girls just have passion and a little fire in their hearts,” Nordonia head coach Ty Lachowski said. “The parents come up to me and say, ‘Nice job, coach.’ But these girls are making me look like I know what I’m doing.”
After holding just a six-pin lead following three regular team games, Nordonia averaged 185 during the six Baker System games to earn the title during Saturday’s 10th annual Panther Challenge at Charger Lanes.
The Knights finished with 3,812 total pinfall, 73 pins ahead of defending OHSAA Division II champion Conotton Valley (3,739), with defending Federal League champion Green taking third (3,697). Triway, the 2022 Division II state champion, was fourth with 3,514.
The Rockets and Bulldogs went 1-2 a year ago in this event.
“This is just a great bunch of girls. It is unbelievable how they pick each other up,” said Lachowski, whose team also holds titles in the Suburban League Preseason tourney, Division I Ohio Kickoff Classic and Ravenna Ravens Varsity Invitational this season.
“When one is struggling, there are five or six others there to pick her up. It’s great, and we still have lots of room for improvement — and that’s a good thing.”
The Knights shot just 828 in Game 1 to trail leader Green by 112 pins, They remained fourth with 927 in Game 3 and then shot a tourney-high 974 in Game 3 to jump into the lead.
Balance was the key for the Knights as Kolbey Lewin led the attack with a 623, including a tourney-high 248 in Game 3. She was followed by Kaitlyn McNutt’s 558 and 557 from Grace Bzdafka. Brooke Barnes and Abby Toronski added 492 and 498, respectively.
“We were able to get lined up in the second game and missed some shots,” Lachowski said. “In the third game, I just can’t say enough about what they did. It was like they said, ‘OK,, this is what we have to do,’ and they picked each other up.”
The Rockets have three girls returning from their title team and head coach Brian Baxter admitted it is a learning process.
“Not to take anything away from the rest of our team, but they are pretty new,” Baxter said. “They’re not used to moving as much or as often. They still have to get used to that situation.
“Our top three girls, I can move 15 or 20 boards. A couple others struggled, but they bowled very well. They all bowled above their averages, and you can’t ask for anything more than that.”
ROCKETS TAKE EARLY LEAD
The Rockets took the lead in Game 2 after posting 946, but shot just 865 in Game 3 to fall behind Nordonia. Then in the Bakers, Conotton Valley started with 235, but averaged just 156.4 the rest of the way.
“The 235 was kind of a surprise. I don’t know if it was the pizza or what,” Baxter said. “But they got some rest and threw the ball well with a little help on carry from a couple of Brooklyns.
“But then the lane changes and transition caught up to us. That kind of transition and drying out is something that probably half of our kids haven’t seen.”
Mackenzie Willoughby led the Rockets with a 664 series, finishing second overall, and Mylie Gallagher also made first team all-tournament with 622. The third Rockets returnee, Lilah Williams, added 552.
“That is probably the best I’ve seen Mackenzie throw or roll the ball during those first three games,” Baxter said. “She was very consistent and very smooth. She didn’t throw any bad shots and made her spares.
“Lilah would have been up there with the other two but she struggled the third game.”
Elena Hughes and Madison Perrine led Green with 594 and Natalie Noiorot added 555. For Triway, Addy Meshew led the way with 658 and Emma Yoder added 606.
Lewin got the final spot on the all-tournament team for Nordonia while McNutt got the final spot on the second team.
“All of our kids were right there … no one ran away with it,” Lachowski added.
But the coach still stresses that improvement is needed.
“We have the app and we do our own tracking. We missed quite a few one-pin spares and I was like, ‘Wow,’ ” Lachowski said.
With this early run of success are the Knights peaking too early?
“I don’t think so. We still have a lot of room to improve with our spare shooting and stuff,” Lachowski said. “But last year was a big learning experience for them at states. Now, they know how to win, and they are showing the younger girls this is what you have to do.
“You have to put your noses to the ground and go.”
And the Knights are just beginning that long run with Columbus as the goal.
NOTEBOOK: There were 18 teams in the event, which was bowled on a house oil pattern. Teams stayed on their same pairs of lanes throughout the tournament — both regular games and Bakers. … Tournament MVP honors went to Tallmadge’s Dee Dee Elijah, who finished with a 670 series, including a Game 1 high game of 247. Triway’s Emma Yoder had the high game in Game 2, also with 247. … A breakdown did force two teams to move pairs during Game 1. … The boys version of the Panther Challenge begins at 9 a.m. Sunday also at Charger Lanes. There is a $5 admission fee for fans.
10TH ANNUAL PANTHER CHALLENGE
(at Charger Lanes, Norton)
Final standings (includes three regular games and six Baker System games): 1, Nordonia 3,812; 2, Conotton Valley 3,739; 3, Green 3,697; 4, Triway 2,514; 5, Tallmadge 3,474; 6, Wadsworth 3,430; 7, Norton 3,310; 8, Canton McKinley 3,207; 9, Howland 3,060; 10, United Local 3,000; 11, Akron Hoban 2,920; 12, New Philadelphia 2,840; 13, Cuyahoga Falls 2,690; 14, Mansfield Senior 2,543; 15, Berea-Midpark 2,526; 16, Ravenna Southeast 2,462; 17, Ravenna 2,356; 18, Wadsworth JV 2,324.
All-tournament teams
MVP: Dee Dee Elijah (Tallmadge) 670
First team: Mackenzie Willoughby (Conotton Valley) 664; Addy Meshew (Triway) 658; Maria Mara (Tallmadge) 631; Kolbey Lewin (Nordonia) 623; Mylie Gallagher (Conotton Valley) 622
Second team: Emma Yoder (Triway) 606; Haleigh Leggett (Canton McKinley) 595; Elena Hughes (Green) 594; Madison Perrine (Green) 594; Kailyn McNutt (Nordonia) 558.