By BILL SNIER
CANTON — Braxton Burns is a two-sport athlete at GlenOak High School and admits there is some carryover between the two.
“I think arm strength is the biggest thing,” the 16-year-old Plain Township right-hander said of the correlation between bowling and being a catcher in baseball. “But I have to watch my leg kick in bowling. It goes in front of my baseball swing so I have to figure it out sometimes.”
But everything was perfect recently for Burns at Eastbury Bowling Center when he rolled his first career 300 game in the Stark County High School Bowling Conference in a match against North Canton Hoover.
He did it in Game 1 of his 548 series, shooting 248 in Game 2 during the Golden Eagles’ 2,965-2,706 victory.
According to conference records, Burns becomes only the third GlenOak player to shoot 300, joining Josh Gillespie (2003-04 season) and SCHSBC Hall of Famer Becca Wise, who had a pair during the 2005-06 season. His series also edges Eagles graduate Mike Hartshorn’s 547 (2008-09) for the school’s all-time high series in conference play.
“The first shot was flush, but the second one was a little scary. I had a messenger come across and take out the 10-pin,” said Burns, whose previous high game of 289 came during practice.
“I was just trying to calm myself down. I took a couple of deep breaths and threw a good shot. The final shot was right there. It might have been a little high, but it was a good shot.”
Burns, who works part-time at Park Centre Lanes, said he didn’t feel the pressure building as Game 1 rolled along.
“I know the Hoover coaches from working at Park Centre so I was just bowling and having a good time,” Burns said. “Then I just finished it off in the 10th frame.”
He used a Motiv Evoke for his milestone, a Christmas present from his father. He then capped off the week on a successful note as GlenOak finished third during Saturday’s Stark Division I sectional tournament to earn their second straight trip to the district tournament at Roseland Lanes.
“It’s a good feeling to get to district again. I expect to go and bowl well. I have an idea of the shot now,” said Burns, who had a three-game series of 574 Saturday. “I think I’m on a good path to have a successful high school career. I really feel we have a chance to get to state this year if we bowl well.”
This season’s other conference 300 came ironically at Eastbury and on the same pair of lanes (Lanes 19-20) by Green senior right-hander Anthony Bordonaro. Burns actually ran into Bordonaro at an area restaurant the night before the sectional tournament.
“I just had to go up to him when I saw him,” Burns said. “It’s great for him and great for me, and coming on the same pair at Eastbury.”
There were seven 300 games shot by boys in the conference a year ago, five from Hoover bowlers.
SCHSBC BOWLERS OF WEEK
The Stark County High School Bowling Conference announced its players of the week for Week 10 of the 2024-25 high school bowling season.
The honorees were GlenOak’s Burns, Marlington’s Colton Lane and Canton Central Catholic’s Frances Palaski.
Here is information as provided by the conference:
BOYS
BRAXTON BURNS
Burns, a sophomore for the Golden Eagles, rolled his first 300 game and a 548 series during a match against North Canton Hoover at Eastbury Bowling Center Here is background on Burns:
What do you like best about bowling? Having a good time with my teammates and enjoying the moments we have together. I like to bowl well as a team so that way we can win together.
What are you listening to now? I love all types of music. Summer time is country while winter time is rap.
Favorite band/singer? Rod Wave
Favorite school subject? Math
Favorite teacher? Mrs. Shepard
In 10 years I want to be … either a pro bowler or pro baseball player. If not, I want to go into either the finance or medical fields.
What coach had to say: “Braxton is an asset to the team. He works hard to improve his bowling game while juggling his baseball commitments. His jovial attitude keeps things light and refreshing, but he knows how to switch gears and put on his game face. I appreciate that he takes in information and asks questions. I look forward to our remaining years in the program and his future success.” — Jossett Petrick
COLTON LANE
A sophomore for the Dukes, Lane rolled 225 and 192 in a match against New Philadelphia at Boulevard Lanes and a personal-best 245 and 177 against Louisville in the final match of the season. Here is background on Lane:
What do you like best about bowling? The best part of bowling is the challenge of picking up fun spares, splits, etc.
What are you listening to now? Rock, I guess. I don’t really listen to much.
Favorite band/singer? Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite school subject? Math
Favorite teacher? Mr. Locke for pre-calculus
In 10 years I want to be … I don’t really know, but I’ll figure something out, make money and have a house.
What coach had to say: “Colton is a great student. He brings his fun and entertaining personality to the lanes. He has improved his game so much this season. He is constantly out bowling with family and friends. He averaged 117 last season and has become one of our team leaders and most consistent bowlers.” — Beth Schick
GIRLS
FRANCES PALASKI
A junior for the Crusaders, with a 150 average, Pulaski rolled a 385 series in a match against Canton South. Then she finished second in the Tri-County Division II sectional tournament with a 544 series, including a 211 game, to earn a district berth. Here is background on Pulaski:
What do you like best about bowling? I enjoy being part of a team and working to get better scores.
What are you listening to now? I listen to Chappell Roan and Lamp mostly, but my playlist is a mix of different genres and artists.
Favorite band/singer? Chappell Roan and Mitski
Favorite school subject? Science and English
Favorite teacher? Mrs. Zahler
In 10 years I want to be … traveling the world.
What coach had to say: “Frances has only been bowling for three years and works hard to get better at the sport. She is very coachable and takes instruction well. She has not missed a practice or match the entire season. Frances bowls in a sport shot league over the summer to improve her skills and knowledge of the game. She is a leader on the team, leading cheers and enjoys helping younger less experienced bowlers on the team.” — Bud Stebbins
SCHSBC STATISTICS
Here are the individual statistics through Week 10 in the Stark County High School Bowling Conference, as supplied by the conference:
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The deadline is approaching for scholarship opportunities through the Stark County USBC, with six $1,000 scholarships available.
Scholarships include:
- SCUSBC High School Bowling Conference Scholarship, for superior performance and excellence with the sport of bowling. The recipient must be a Stark County resident;
- Stark County USBC Massillon Scholarship, for superior performance and excellence in bowling. Open to students residing west of Perry Drive and east of the Wayne County line. Presented to one boy and one girl resident of Stark County.
- Stark County USBC Memorial Scholarship, for superior performance excellence in bowling. Two scholarships will be presented to Stark County residents.
- Stark County USBC Presidents Scholarship for individual leadership and sportsmanship. Open to Stark residents with one being presented.
The deadline for submitting an application is Feb. 28. See the application below: