CANTON — The fourth spot in the Stark Division I boys high school bowling sectional tournament had more turns than a properly rolled ball.
When the final shots were completed — and four teams had held the critical fourth and final spot for a district berth during the day — Lake emerged with the title Saturday at Eastbury Bowling Center.
The Blue Streaks earned their second straight district berth, leading after the opening three regular team games, losing the lead after two Baker System games, and then regaining the top spot to earn the title with 4,178 total pinfall — just four pins ahead of charging Federal League rival North Canton Hoover (4,174).
The Vikings, who led after Game 1 of the team games, were never lower than third, shooting a Baker System high 1,260 (210 average), including 243 and 226 their final two games.
The top four teams and top four individuals who were not part of advancing teams move on to the Northeast District, set for 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at Rebman Recreation in Lorain. Saturday’s format was three regular team games and six Baker System games.
Perry, which took the lead after the opening two Baker games, finished third (4,111) and Louisville took the fourth spot (3,967), just five pins ahead of fifth-place Jackson (3,963) and 26 ahead of Suburban League and defending sectional champion Wadsworth (3,941) and Green (3,941).The latter two had Baker games of 149 and 152, respectively, in Game 6.
The Leopards held on to their spot despite a 156 their final Baker game. Jackson, which finished with 223 and 235, struggled to a 144 in the fourth Baker game.
Perry senior Gavin Hentzell topped the individuals with a 707 series, including a tourney-high 268 in Game 2.
Green junior Jason Bidinger also shot 701 to lead the four individual qualifiers, He will be joined by Wadsworth junior Hayden Eagon-Mohlmaster (674) and a pair of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary bowlers — sophomore Matt Kalail (635) and senior Nate Sparhawk (625).
There were 12 players who shot over 600 during the event, with eight 1,000 team games.
Hoover was led by juniors Austin Tomajko (654) and Aiden Chetto (640), who finished fourth and fifth overall.
Senior Josh Trent was high for Lake, which stood in the fifth spot after Game 1 of the team games, with 640, and junior Andrew Venus added 612. The Streaks did not have a player shoot under 572.
Louisville, which was seventh after Game 1, did not have a player post a 600 series, with senior Trent Beard leading the Leopards with a 599.
Senior Brandon Sanko also shot 606 for Perry, which was never lower than third.
The Stark Division I girls sectional is at 10 a.m. Sunday, also at Eastbury. Admission is online only, with no cash being accepted at the door.
