NORTH CANTON — Change again is coming to the Stark County High School Bowling Conference for the 2026-27 season.
As previously revealed, Coventry will be joining the conference this season, using Apollo 3 Lanes in Green as its home center.
In addition, Salem has notified the conference that it will be terminating its membership this season after bowling the last two as members of the SCHSBC.
“I was informed that Salem will not compete in the SCHSBC moving forward as they will begin their transition to playing their future North East Eight (NE8) member schools in 2026-27 along with continuing to compete against local schools in Columbiana and Mahoning counties,” SCHSBC commissioner J.C. Heighway announced.
Other NE8 members include Girard, Hubbard, Lakeview, Niles McKinley, Poland Seminary, South Range and Struthers.
To compensate for the loss of Salem in the American Division, which would have reduced the number of teams down to five, Louisville has agreed to move from the National to the American Division this season.
“Louisville was chosen based off of location to the American Division schools and bus drive times,” Heighway said in an email to coaches, officers and administrators.
This means the American and Federal divisions will each have seven teams; the National Division will have six.
Louisville also will be joining a new conference this season — the All-American Conference — but will remain in the SCHSBC for bowling. Other AAC members are Austintown Fitch, Boardman, Canfield, Howland and Warren Harding.
Heighway stated in the email that the move was “staying with our standard practice of keeping a balanced number of divisional teams.”
The divisions for the upcoming season (with their home centered in parenthesis) are as follows:
- Federal — GlenOak (Eastbury), Green (Apollo 3), Jackson (Park Centre): Lake (Park Centre); Canton McKinley (Strike Zone); North Canton Hoover (Park Centre); Perry (AMF Hall of Fame);
- American — Alliance (No home center for matches); Carrollton (Atwood Lanes); Louisville (Eastbury); Marlington (No home center); Minerva (Minerva Bowl); United Local (Forrest Lanes)
- National — Canton Central Catholic (AMF Hall of Fame); Canton South (AMF Hall of Fame); Coventry (Apollo 3); Lake Center Christian (Park Centre); Massillon (AMF Hall of Fame); Triway (Ballerz Sports Club)
Some important dates to remember:
- The annual Alumni Tournament is set for Oct. 24 at Eastbury Bowling Center in Canton;
- The annual SCHSBC Early Bird tournament is set for Nov. 14 at Eastbury Bowling Center; and
- The first official conference matches are set for Nov. 16.
The 2026-27 schedule is attached (subject to change):
PBA CENTRAL: GENZ TAKES SECOND REGIONAL TITLE
JASPER, Ind. — Evan Genz, a 24-year-old Richmond, Ind., right-hander, earned his second PBA regional title Saturday by winning the PBA Eastown Recreation Central Open at Easton Recreation Center.
Genz, the No. 3 seed entering the 12-bowler match-play round in the 38-player field, defeated Evansville, Ind., lefty Matt Sanders 256-190 in the title match to earn the $2,000 first-place check.
See complete scores here: https://www.leaguepals.com/league-info?id=69e8cb2ae87264c90a4d4ec8
Central Region pros return to action Aug. 7 for the Kremer Roofing Central Classic at Community Lanes in Minster.