By BILL SNIER
COSHOCTON — Conotton Valley entered the East District Division II high school girls bowling tournament as the defending state champion.
It brought a little more pressure for the Rockets as they went for two in a row at Legacy Lanes and Lounge.
“I think it’s incredibly more difficult because now there is an expectation there,” Conotton Valley coach Robyn King said. “Coming into this year, we knew Carrollton is always a contender and Dana Keister was back at Minerva, and that played a big role because we knew he would have them ready.
“You just never know who could pop up or could have big games. You always have to be ready.”
And after holding just a one-pin lead in Game 1 of the three-game team set, the Rockets showed how ready they were.
Conotton Valley shot 916 in Game 2 — high for the day in either the boys or girls divisions — following an 827 to grab a 162-pin lead and cruised to the district title Thursday.
The Rockets finished with 3,527 total pinfall — 38 pins ahead of boys champion Carrollton — to earn the district crown by 235 pins over the second-place Warriors (3,292), who also earned their sixth straight state berth.
The format was three regular games followed by six Baker System games, with the top two teams in the six-team field and top two individuals who were not on those teams advancing to the OHSAA Division I State Tournament, set for 10:30 a.m. March 2 at HP Lanes in Columbus.
Joining the two teams are West Holmes senior Hailee North, who shot the day’s high series in both divisions with 631 to claim the individual title, and East Liverpool junior Addison Rudibaugh, who advanced with a 591 and third-place individual series.
ROCKETS NOT SATISIFIED
Despite rolling through the field, it was not just a practice session for the Rockets.
“I wish I could say that, but no. We felt confident going in, but that came off our practices, and (the lanes) always play a little different,” Conotton Valley coach Brian Baxter said. “The first game, we had our struggles, but so did everyone else.
“We talked through it, and got everything straightened out in the second game.”
Rockets junior Mylie Galigher was the district runner-up with 617 as no boys broke 600. She was joined by senior Mackenzie Willoughby with 535 and sophomore Delilah Williams with 482. All three were members of the 2023 state title team.
“It always comes down to spare shooting, We did what we needed to do in individual games, but like I said before, Bakers have been our Achilles’,” Baxter said after the Rockets shot 991 during that portion to tie Carrollton.
“Whether we’re up 10 pins or 210, we have to concentrate on spares. We bowled Bakers well for one game (203 in Game 6), but spare shooting is something we have to work on. I told them if you shoot around 170, you’re going to be gold. When Carrollton came out with that one big game (214 in Game 2), we got a little nervous.”
CLEANING THINGS UP
West Homes had held the second spot through two regular games before shooting just 670 in Game 3 to drop to fourth. That’s when Minerva moved up, with 822 and 782, to hold a 21-pin lead on third-place Carrollton entering the Baker round.
“For our three games we didn’t bowl horrible, but they still need to clean up on their spares. But they stayed solid,” Carrollton coach Wendy Russell said. “Last week we struggled a little bit with a couple girls going low and a couple high. But, today, they stayed right there together, which helped a lot.”
Senior Zoey Elliott led the Warriors with a 495 series, followed by sophomore Kaylee Russell (482) and seniors Abby Natcher (451) and Mackenzie Rummell (441).
But after the Warriors began the Baker round with a 139, Russell made a change.
“After that first game, we said OK let’s regroup, changed the lineup, and then we came back with 214. That helped for sure,” Russell said.
The Lions, who were led by senior Shelby Worrell’s 551 during the three games and 478 from junior Izabelle Genet, had Baker games of 137 and 108 in Games 2 and 3 and finished with 138. Minerva dropped to third, 103 pins behind the Warriors.
“I don’t scoreboard watch because it doesn’t really matter. It’s not going to change anything,” Russell said. “I’m going to coach them to the best of their ability, and I try to teach that to them because it can change in a heartbeat.”
During Games 2 and 3 when the Lions faltered, the Warriors shot 214 and 165.
Russell said lanes 7 and 8 were tough for her team and other teams.
“It was different at Boulevard because we stayed on the same pair for all three games,” Russell said. “That was weird. But we had to stay in the minute and keep their heads in it, stay relaxed and have fun.
“My philosophy is making spares is key. Strikes will come, but you have to make spares.”
Part of that fun came following the tournament with another tradition for the Warriors.
“You’ve heard the thing with players going to Disney World after they win,” Russell said. “For us, it’s going to Texas Roadhouse.”
And the Warriors and Rockets both can celebrate state returns.
NOTEBOOK: The Rockets 916 in Game 2 beat the boys high score of 903 by Sandy Valley. “It’s something that we’ve been doing a lot lately and it gives us some confidence,” Baxter said. “But with the good teams we had here, did I think it would happen? No. But they did what they had to do.” … Galigher turned in the high girls game with 246 in Game 2. … Teams bowled their first three games on different pairs. But they remained on the same pair of lanes for all six Baker System games. … The girls used the low side of Legacy Lanes, lanes 1 through 8, with the individuals bowling all on the same pair. … Tickets for the Division II state tournament are available only online and priced at $15 for adults and $10 for students. Go to https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets for tickets. No cash will be accepted at the door. … The Northeast District Division II girls tournament is at 10 am. Saturday at Rebman Recreation in Lorain. … Our thanks to tournament directors Doug Smith and David Jones, Muskingum University’s coaches, for their assistance.
