CHS Boys Bowling #5 in State

    Central High Boys Bowling (9-2) finished the season as the highest ranked team in the Baton Rouge area at #5 and roll into the LHSAA Bowling State Playoffs as one of the few favorites from Baton Rouge to make a serious run at a state title.  After Monday’s (3-24-14) action in the Regionals of the playoffs that is exactly what Central is looking to accomplish, along with making a “Final Four” appearance for the first time in CHS’s history.  Central dismantled St Michaels (1-10) and barely escaped a scare from Denham Springs (6-3) in Rounds 1 & 2 and will be bowling next week at AMF All Star Lanes in Kenner, LA on Thursday (4-3-14) in the 3rd Round.
    Round 1 was a quick match as #5 Wildcats (3-Seed) shut out St Michaels (14-Seed), 27-0 and 3381-2335.  Only needing 14 points to win a match, Central had the match wrapped after 2 games leading 16-0 (1094-754 & 1104-771 in Total Pins).  The Wildcats came out strong in Game 1 behind Parker Aucoin’s (Freshman) 217 and Kevin Kennedy’s (Senior) 195 and Game 2 was led by Sean Murphy’s (Senior) 213 and Jacob Garretson’s (Junior/Captain) 201.  The good bowling continued in Game 3 as the Wildcats finished sweeping all the points with an 8-0 and 1183-810 win.  Garretson led the Game 3 attack with a 235, followed by Aucoin’s 216, Kennedy’s 206 and Murphy’s 193.  Overall Garretson led Central with a 623 series.  Aucoin chipped in a 600, Murphy rolled a 583 and Kennedy was close behind with a 574.
    Round 2 was against district rival Denham Springs (6-Seed).  This was a rematch from a month ago in which Central won easily 22-5 and by almost 600 pins.  But this match didn’t go like the previous match and Central would have to withstand a season high score from Denham Springs.  In Game 1, Central jumped out to a 6-2 and 1130-1016 lead and was led by some great bowling of Garretson (246) and Murphy (212).  The Yellow Jackets would come back strong in Game 2 and run away with a 5.5-2.5 and 1098-1004 win.  Central’s anchor was the one bright spot as Garretson rolled a 246.  With Central up 8.5-7.5 and only 20 Total Pins going into Game 3, Central managed to knock down just enough pins to pull out the victory.  Coming through in the clutch was Murphy.  The senior needed a mark in the 10th Frame to pull out the win and without hesitation Murphy fired the most important strike of his Central days to lock up the match.  Denham would win Game 3 5-3 and 1024-1023, but Central would win the Total Pin battle by 19 pins to earn the 3 overall series points.  Dylan Ringo (Freshman) was the high Wildcat in Game 3 with a 215 and Johnathan Ryder (Sophomore) rolled a 190.  When all the pins settled, the final score was 14.5-12.5 and 3157-3138 in Central’s favor.  The 3138 by the Yellow Jackets was a season high by almost 200 pins!  Garretson led the Wildcats with a 662 series and Denham was led by Jonathan Ingalls (159 avg) with a 711 (254, 246, 211 and 234 pins over average!). 
    Central moves onto the Bi-Regionals next Thursday (4-3-14) at AMF All Star Lanes (Kenner, LA).  Bi-Regionals will consist of 5 teams from the Baton Rouge area and 3 teams from the New Orleans area.  Only two teams will advance on to the State Finals on April 12nd to bowl against two teams from the Lafayette/Bossier/Houma/Lake Charles regions in the LHSAA Final Four.  Central’s coaches would like to thank the parents and fans for coming out this past Monday.  The team looks forward to having everyone’s support once again next Thursday!