By BILL SNIER
KENT — Inter-Valley Conference champion East Canton shot 792 out of the gate Monday to grab the lead and was never passed as the Hornets rolled to victory in the Division II Tri-County high school bowling sectional at Spins Bowl Kent.
The Hornets, who also advanced a year ago, led from start to finish, completing three regular team games and six Baker System games with 3,395, including a Baker high of 1,030 (171.6).
Joining East Canton will be two-time state qualifier Rootstown (3,257), Canton Central Catholic (3,132) and Garrettsville Garfield (3,092), which finished 128 pins ahead of fifth-place Triway.
The top four teams remained the same from the three regular teams games, with only Central and Garfield switching spots.
The top four teams and top four individuals who are not members of those teams advance to the Feb. 21 Northeast Ohio district at Rebman Recreation in Lorain.
Senior Tara Alspaugh led the Hornets with a 547 series en route to a runner-up finish individually, and senior Madison Lint — a 2025 state individual qualifier — was fourth overall with 538.
Rootstown, which reached the quarterfinals during the 2025 OHSAA State Championships, fell short of defending its sectional title. The Rovers were led by junior Olivia Davies (495), senior Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt (495) and senior Valeri Derteen (473).
Central Catholic, which fell short of a district berth by 76 pins a year ago, shot 203 in its final Baker game to jump ahead of Garfield and into the third spot. Senior Jessica Jenkins led the Crusaders with 509 and señor Frances Palaski, a returning state individual qualifier, added 444.
Garfield, which is chasing its 11th overall state appearance, was led by junior Sierra Foy’s 505.
INDIVIDUALS MOVE ON
Akron Springfield senior Madison Knox led individual qualifiers with a sectional-high 583 series, including a tourney-high 235 in Game 1. She finished 19th in the event a year ago.
Joining her are a pair of Triway freshmen — Savannah Starcher (547), who finished third overall, and Aubreigh Banfield, who finished 11th and earned the final spot by 14 pins.
The Titans bowled the sectional with five freshmen in the lineup.
The final individual qualifier was Ravenna junior Zoey Lemasters, who finished fifth overall with a 531 series.
Division II tournament action resumes Tuesday and Wednesday at St. Clair Lanes in St. Clairsville and Boulevard Lanes in Dover, respectively, with the Eastern District boys and girls events.
NOTEBOOK: There were 14 teams in the field, with Crestwood participating with just two bowlers as individuals. … East Canton led the three regular games with 2,365, 43 pins ahead of Rootstown. … Girls rolled only three 200 games on the OHSAA sectional-district oil pattern, with just seven 500 series recorded. … Division I sectional action begins Feb. 13 with the Summit sectional at Spins Bowl Akron, with the Stark sectional set for Feb. 14 and 15 at Eastbury Bowling Center in Canton. Tickets, priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students, are available only on line at https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets. No cash will be accepted at the gate.
Zoey LeMasters from Ravenna. Thanks.
Change was made and thank you