Assignment of teams has been completed for both the Northeast and East districts and sectional high school bowling tournaments in February and there are some changes.
The biggest change comes in the East District, where there will be a separate Division I district boys and girls tournaments — but no sectionals — on the road to Columbus.
Both Dover and New Philadelphia’s boys reached district in the Northeast Stark sectional a year ago, paving their way to state. This season, both teams will be in a 12-team district, set for Feb. 26 at Legacy Lanes and Lounge in Coshocton, a change from Zanesville. Joining them will be Carrollton, which qualified for state a year ago in Division II, but has moved up to Division I this season.
The Division I East District girls event will have 14 teams, with both combining teams from the East and Southeast districts. Carrollton’s girls remain in Division II.
But with just district play being conducted, only the winner of each district plus one individual not on that winning team will advance to HP Lanes in Columbus for state competition.
Here is the list of which teams are going where in this area for postseason play:
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
Division I
Summit (boys, Feb. 14; girls, Feb. 17, both at 10 a.m.; both at Spins Bowl-Akron): Boys—Akron Hoban, Barberton, Brunswick, Buchtel, Buckeye, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, CVCa, Akron East, Ellet, Firestone, Highland, Kenmore-Garfield, Medina, Akron North; Girls—Akron Hoban, Barberton, Brunswick, Buchtel, Buckeye, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, CVCA, Akron East, Ellet, Field, Firestone, Highland, Kenmore-Garfield, Akron North
Stark: (boys, Feb. 15; girls, Feb. 16, both at 10 a.m.; both at Eastbury Bowling Center, Canton): Boys and girls—Alliance, Canton McKinley, Cloverleaf, GlenOak, Green, North Canton Hoover, Jackson, Lake, Louisville, Marlington, Perry, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Wadsworth, Massillon Washington, Wooster
Mahoning-Trumbull-Portage: (boys, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15; girls, 9 a.m. Feb. 15, both at Holiday Lanes, Struthers): Boys—Austintown Fitch, Boardman, Canfield, Chaney, Youngstown East, Howland, Hudson, Kenton, Niles McKLinley, Nordonia, Ravenna, Kent Roosevelt, Salem, Solon, Stow-Monroe Falls, Streetsoro, Twinsburg, Warren Harding; Girls—Same teams, except for Ravenna and Niles McKinley
Division II
Tri-County (boys, Feb. 7; girls, Feb. 10; both at 10 a.m.; both at Spins Bowl-Kent): Boys—Canton Central Catholic, Canton South, Crestwood, East Canton, Field, Garfield, Heartland Christian, Lake Center Christian, Norton, Rootstown, Springfield, Triway, United Local, Woodridge; Girls—same teams, except for Field and Norton, but also added Out Lady of Elms, Ravenna and Southeast.
Medina (boys and girls, Feb. 9, 9 a.m., AMF Medina Lanes): Boys—Black River, Brooklyn, Brookside, Clearview, Columbia, Coventry, Elyria Catholic, Fairview, Field, Holy Name, Keystone, Lutheran West, Norway, Oberlin, Open Door Christian, Wellington; Girls—Same teams minus Holy Name
Note: District tournaments are set for 10 a.m. Feb. 21-22 (Division II) and 10 a.m. Feb. 23-24 (Division I) at Roseland Lanes in Oakwood, with boys going first.
EAST DISTRICT
Division I
District (no sectional) (boys and girls, 10 a.m. Feb. 26, Leagcy Lanes and Lounge, Coshocton): Girls—(East) Dover, New Philadelphia, Tri-Valley, West Holmes, Zanesville; (Southeast) Chillicothe, Hillsboro, Jackson, Logan, McClain, Miami Trace, Sheridan, Unit, Washington Court House; Boys—(East) Carrollton, Dover, New Philadelphia, Tri-Valley, Zanesville; (Southeast) Chillicothe, Circleville, Hillsboro, Jackson, Logan, Miami Trace, Sheridan
Division II
Boys (8 a.m., 2 p.m., Feb. 12, Boulevard Lanes, Dover): 8.m. shift—Claymont, Cobotton Valley, faraway, Harrison Central, Indian Valley, Minerva, Ridgewood, River View, Sandy Valley, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, West Holmes; 2 p.m. shift—Barnesville, Beallsville (individual), Beaver, Bridgeport (individual), Buckeye Local, East Liverpool, Martins Ferry, Maysville, Monroe Central, Philo, River, St. Clairsville, St. John Central Academy, Union local
Girls (8 a.m., 2 p.m., Feb. 11, St. Clair Lanes, St. Clairsville): 8 a.m. shift—Barnesville, Beallsville (individual)(, Beaver, Bridgeport (individual), Buckeye Local, East Liverpool, Martins Ferry, Maysville, Monroe Central, Philo, River (individual), St. Clairsville, St. John Central Academy, Union Local; 2 p.m. shift—Carrollton, Claymont, Conotton Valley, Garaway, Harrison Central, Indian Valley, Minerva, Newcomestown, Ridgewood, River View, Sandy Valley, Tuscarawas Valley
Note: Division II district for boys and girls set for 10 a.m. Feb. 20 at Legacy Lanes in Coshocton
SCHSBC PLAYERS OF WEEK
The Stark County High School Bowling Conference announced its players of the week for Week 4 of the 2024-25 high school bowling season.
The honorees were Minerva’s Owen Frazier and Jackson’s Caleb Russell and Ariana Morris.
Here is information as provided by the conference:
BOYS
OWEN FRAZIER
Frazier, a junior for the Lions, had a 279 game en route to a 472 series at Thunder in the Valley during a match against Sandy Valley. He is averaging 195 and also finished fifth individually in the River View Tournament at Legacy Lanes in Coshocton. Here is background on Frazier:
What do you like best about bowling? The community I get to be part of.
What are you listening to now? Mikle
Favorite band/singer? Mac Miller
Favorite school subject? Psychology
Favorite teacher? Mr. Albert
In 10 years I want to be … A psychologist
What coach had to say: “Owen has excelled this week and throughout the season. He is showcasing himself well this year and improving in many ways. We are excited for the remainder of the season.” — Nick Embrogno
BOYS
CALEB RUSSELL
A Jackson freshman, Russell went back-to-back weeks with new personal high series. He shot 451, with a high game of 279, during a Dec. 16 match against North Canton Hoover. Here is background on Russell:
What do you like best about bowling? I like bowling because it is fun and relaxing.
What are you listening to now? Travis Scott
Favorite band/singer? Travis Scott
Favorite school subject? Lunch
Favorite teacher? Mr. Tamburro
In 10 years I want to be … A PBA professional bowler..
What coach had to say: “Caleb is new to our team this year as a freshman. He has seen a fair amount of playing time so far, both coming off the bench and starting. His unique two-handed lefty approach gives him an edge vs. some. We will continue to develop his game and help him to hone his skills.” — Dustin Dingler
GIRLS
ARIANA MORRIS
A junior for the Polar Bears, Morris started the week with a 145 average and shot 194-198 for a 392 series. She then followed that up with a 235 game and a 391 series. Here is background on Morris:
What do you like best about bowling? I enjoy the challenges that come with bowling.
What are you listening to now? Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons
Favorite band/singer? Adele
Favorite school subject? Science
Favorite teacher? Mr. Gleason
In 10 years I want to be … Undecided at this point
What coach had to say: “Ariana is one of our most consistent bowlers and is throwing the ball well. I look forward to seeing how she progresses.” — Bill Dunn
HOLIDAY TOURNEY SET
Park Centre Lanes will host its annual New Year’s Eve Holiday high school tournament at 9 a.m. Dec. 31 at Park Centre.
The field includes 11 schools in both the boys and girls divisions, with teams rolling two regular games and six Baker System games to determine the top eight teams that will move on to match play.
Match play will best-of-three Baker System matchups by seed until two remain in each division to bowl for the title.