Staff report
DAYTON — The Sidney High School boys bowling team was fourth overall and first among Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division teams in the annual GWOC Preseason Bowling Tournament, held Saturday at Poelking South in Dayton.
The Jackets rolled a 3492 in the tournament. The next-highest North Division team was Vandalia in ninth place.
“The boys had a very successful tournament,” said Sidney coach Trent Knoop. “We shot a 2491 in the three regular games. We didn’t bowl that well in baker, only shooting a 991 for six games. The lanes were very tough and it got very dry for the boys. They were struggling to keep the ball on the right side of the pins, and we were leaving a lot of splits in the baker rounds. We struggled to make the proper adjustments.”
Sidney’s 3492 got the sixth-seeded Jackets into the match play round, the only North Division team to do so.
They drew a strong Fairmont team, the No. 3 seed, in the first round and lost 2-1. But they won the next two games to win the match. Then came Springfield, the No. 7 seed, in the semifinals, and the Jackets wound up losing 3-1.
“We ended up fourth overall and I’m very pleased with how well the boys did,” said Knoop. They fought very hard and made the right adjustments in match play. We may not have won, but I believe they learned from their mistakes and what we need to work on better during practice.”
Josh Abbot led Sidney, rolling a 564 series on games of 195, 219 and 150. He missed making the All-Tournament Team by just five pins.
Austin Simon was next for Sidney with a 550 series on games of 218, 176 and 156. Matt Elliott had 195 game for the Jackets.
• The Sidney High girls bowling team finished in 12th place and didn’t qualify for match play. The Lady Jackets finished with a 2869.
“The girls struggled the whole day Saturday,” said Knoop. “Again, the oil pattern was very difficult. If they pitched the ball out, it wouldn’t come back to the pocket. If they pulled the ball left, then it would hook way too much left. We only shot a 2035 for the three individual games.
“We aren’t used to bowling on these tougher shots and I think emotions got the best of us this past weekend,” he added. “But I think this was a great learning experience for the girls and I believe they learned from their mistakes. They know what we need to work on.”
None of the Sidney girls bowled all three games Saturday. Knoop said they either didn’t start a game or were pulled during a game.
Heather Gold was the top Sidney bowler, with games of 155 and 178.
Both Sidney teams are back in action Thursday at Wapakoneta, and Friday at home against Vandalia. Then it’s back to Poelking Lanes on Saturday for a Team USA Experience tournament.
