Three Wildcats Advance to State Bowling Finals

    Central High Varsity Bowling (12-0, 3-1 in the Playoffs) had their season end in heart breaking fashion on Thursday (4-4-13) at All Star Lanes.  In Rounds 3 and 4 of the LHSAA Bowling State Playoffs, #2 Central High would suffer a huge “break” and ultimately derail their path to the “Final Four” of the playoffs.  

    In Round 3, Central took on 7-seeded Baker High Buffalos (7-1) and got a scare right off the bat.  In the 5th Frame of the first game, Central’s anchor Jacob Garretson (Sophomore) suffered an injury and had to be removed from the line-up.  Unfortunately, those 5 frames would be the only frames he would throw for the rest of the season.  Garretson suffered a fractured vertebrae and back spasms.  Almost instantly after losing their highest average bowler, Central would struggle to finish Game 1 and Baker would seem to gain confidence.  In fact, Baker hadn’t broken a 1000 team game all season and in Games 2 & 3 they would roll out a 1062 and 1007.  After throwing a season low 856 in Game 1, the Wildcats would regroup and fire back two very impressive games of 1072 and 1159.  Baker’s season high of 2853 (almost 200 pins higher than their previous best) wasn’t enough to defeat Central’s 3087.  Central would defeat Baker 20-7 and take some much needed momentum into Round 4.  Central was led by Bryan Waites (Senior & Captain) with 227, 230 & 637 series, followed by Kevin Kennedy’s (Junior) 214, 215 & 567 series, and Haley Young (Sophomore) with a 211 and Sean Murphy’s (Junior) 203.

    Unfortunately there would be no more inspiring comebacks in the cards for Central as their momentum from Round 3 quickly fizzled.  In Round 4 and with Garretson at the hospital and two more Wildcats suffering arm problems, Broadmoor (10-1) would run all over the injured Wildcats.  The Bucs would roll impressive games of 1176, 1275 and 1068.  In fact three Bucs rolled a 629 or higher series in the match.  Central would put up as much of fight as they could and even won Game 3 with a 1091.  But in the end, Broadmoor proved to be too strong for the Wildcats to overcome.  The Bucs would hand Central their only loss of the season and end their season with an 18-9 victory and destroy the Wildcats in Total Pins, 3519-3003.  Round 4 did provide some highlights for the Wildcats.  Young and Sarah Leduff (Freshman) advanced to the State Girls Individual Championship with series of 483 and 484 respectively.  On the boys side came a huge surprise.  Kennedy (who averaged 151 on the season) threw his highest set ever with a 187, 202, 257 for a 646 series.  That outstanding bowling would be just enough to qualify him for the State Boys Individual Championship.

    Central’s bowling season will continue onto Friday (4-12-13) at Acadian Lanes in Lafayette through Young, Leduff and Kennedy.  Each will try to bring home Central’s 2nd State Individual Championship.  Wish our bowlers good luck this week as they have advanced onto Round 5 and continue their quest for to obtain another title.  Central’s Coaches would once again like to say thank you for all the support they received throughout the season from parents, students and faculty.  Central’s best bowling season as a team has finally come to an end with many new team records, advanced to the Final 8 for only the 2nd time, completed an undefeated 12-0 season and brought home the 5A District Title for the first time ever.  Six of the seven Wildcats will be returning next year, and will be gunning for another District Title and a State Championship.  Also, Central Coaches hope to rebuild the Girls Team next year and expect Central’s bowling program to only get stronger.

 

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