Central Bowling Extends Win Streak to Three with Victory over Denham Springs

 

    After an easy 25-2 victory over Baton Rouge High (1-6) last week, Central High Varsity Bowling (3-4) continued the momentum on Thursday (2-16-12) defeating Denham Springs (5-2) for the first time ever.  Earlier in the season, Denham defeated the Wildcats in a close match and this time around Central got the victory in an even closer match winning 15-12.

    Central came out swinging in Game 1 and took an early lead in the match.  Unfortunately, the Wildcats would have had a 7-1 lead after Game 1, but Central would lose two close individual matches by 3 and 5 pins.  Team Captain Bryan Waites (Junior) led the Wildcats to a 5-3 lead with a 181.  Sean Murphy (Sophomore) was right behind Waites by throwing a 180 (a season high for Murphy) and Jacob Garretson (Freshman) was close behind with a 172.  Most importantly, Central would take a 64 pin lead in Total Pins by winning 882 to 818.

    The Yellow Jackets proved in Game 2 that they weren’t going to just roll over and let Central finally get a win over the bowling powerhouse (which is home to 4 LHSAA bowling state titles).  Denham Springs would bounce back and take control of the match with a 6-2 and 834-809 win in the second game.  A balanced bowling attack led by Mason Zetsch (167 game) would help Denham take a 9-7 lead into Game 3.  The Wildcats got a game high from Garretson with a 193.  Even though the Wildcats were down in points, they actually were still ahead in Total Pins (which is worth an extra 3 points at the end of the match) by a slim 39 pin margin.

    After a quick pep talk from the Central coaches, the Wildcats came out determined to rewrite history and finally defeat the Yellow Jackets.  Central and Denham would put on a show in the final game, with Game 3 seeing multiple lead changes and fans going back and forth with every strike and spare.  When it was all said and done, Central won the final game 5-3 and 869-827.  The match came down to Total Pins because after three games the Wildcats and Yellow Jackets were tied 12-12.  But the bonus 3 points for Total Pins would give Central the 15-12 victory.  Central won Total Pins 2560 to 2479.  Waits was once again the high Wildcat with a 192, followed by Murphy with a 178 and Kevin Kennedy (Freshman) with a 172.

    For the second straight match, Waites led the Wildcats in series (529) and had a high game of 192.  Garretson bowled a 522 series with a 193 and Murphy continued to bowl above average with a 471 series and a 180 game.  Central’s most improved arm continued to bowl outstanding, Kennedy topped all the Wildcats once again by bowling 79 pins over average.  Next up, Central will be in competition on Saturday (2-25-12) at the River Center at 2:30PM to compete in the Annual Coca Cola High School Invitational.  Around 80 high schools (boys & girls teams) from around the state will be competing in the beautiful bowling center that has been built in the River Center for the 2012 USBC Open National Tournament.  Central’s next match is almost two weeks away on Wednesday (2-29-12) at Metro Bowl (3:20pm) against Scotlandville (4-2), whom Central lost to earlier this season, 20-7.  Scotlandville is one of the best teams in the Baton Rouge 5A Boys Division, but Central’s on a roll and look to even their record at 4-4.

    The official website with standings and stats can be found at http://www.leaguesecretary.com/circle_bowl/baton_rouge_boys_varsity/bowling/league/61367/0/0/0/leaguefilesstandings.aspx