The MHSAA Bowling season began this week with a handful of matches. Below is a summary of the action around the Michigan Sports Radio coverage zone on Monday and Tuesday.
(Matches in alphabetical order of the winning team)
Boys Bowling
Cedar Springs 29 def FHE 1: The Red Hawks dominated FHE in their opener on Monday, capturing all but one point. They took the Baker Games 143-114 and 156-102. In the regular games, Cody Marshall (338 series, 172-166) and Ethan Plummer (336 series, 150-186) led the way for the Red Hawks. The lone point scored by FHE came on the ball of Lance Koelzer (177 in his second game).
Grand Haven 21 def Grandville 9: The Bucs opened their season on Tuesday with a win over Grandville. The Bulldogs won the first Baker Game 204-170, but Grand Haven won the second game 155-146. In the first set of regular games, the Bucs won four of five. They finished with a win in three wins in the final five games. Collin Prokopec led Grand Haven with a 429 series (225-204), while Jaxson Garland posted a 408 series (174-234). Ryan LeClaire was the top scorer for Grandville with a 366 series (209-157).
GR Catholic Central 29 def Ottawa Hills 1: The Cougars started their 2021 campaign on Monday with a strong victory against Ottawa Hills. After a pair of Baker Game victories, their strong performance continued. David Shamblin led the way with a 416 series (222-194), with Connor Wortman (351 series, 150-201) and Caleb Cook (330 series, 174-156) adding great performances. Jaycee Quam was the best bowler for the Bengals with a 354 series (177-177).
Hudsonville 16 def Caledonia 14: The Eagles sent a statement to the conference with a victory over the Caledonia team on Monday. Hudsonville started with Baker Game victories (191-148 and 248-198), before Caledonia took six of nine points in the first set of regular games. In the second set, Caledonia took eight of the remaining eleven points to finish just two points shy of victory. Josh Pettinger (507 series, 259-248) led Caledonia, while Ayden Sulzener (249) and Parker DeKubber (256) had strong single game scores. Hudsonville was led by Peyton VanKempen (446 series, 232-214), Jaxon Wicker (431 series, 217-214), JJ Swain (423 series, 229-194) and Ethan Blouw (416 series, 215-201).
Marshall 18 def Hastings 12: The Saxons lost their opening match on Tuesday at Marshall Lanes. After splitting the Baker Games, the Redhawks pulled away. Hastings was led by Austin Fentsemaker (192), Kyler Madden (186) and Steven VanOoy (354 series, 170-175).
Middleville 17 def Kenowa Hills 13: In one of the closest matches on Monday, these two teams battled to the end. Middleville took the first Baker game, but Kenowa Hills won the second game and the extra two points with the combined score (327-279). In the first regular games, Kenowa Hills only won two of five matches, but their overall score pushed their lead to 11-8. Middleville responded with four wins in the final set of games, capturing the overall pins victory by 22. Ethan Kriekaard (355 series, 153-202) and Wyatt Jacobson (350 series, 154-196) led the Trojans. Luke Buck (382 series, 190-192) and Ben Adloff (328 series, 184-144) paced Kenowa.
Rockford 27 def Jenison 3: The Rams got off to a great start on Monday with a victory over Jenison. After a sweep in the Baker Games, Rockford had a strong performance in the individual games. Caleb Mask rolled a perfect 300 in the first regular game, and Kaleb Simon finished the victory with a clutch twenty-nine pins in the tenth frame. Coach Paul Bellgraph was very happy with the way that his Rams performed after being away from the bowling alley for 6-8 months.
South Christian 26 def Wayland 4: The Sailors cruised to an opening day victory against the Wildcats on Monday. In the Baker Games, they took 202-123 and 148-106 victories. Kevin Hur posted the best series in the individual games (206-210) to lead South Christian. Mark Musgrave was the top scorer for the Wildcats (372 series, 168-204).
Wyoming 26 def East Kentwood 4: The Wolves started their season on Monday with a strong showing against East Kentwood. In the Baker Games, they captured 216-179 and 193-155 victories. East Kentwood took three of the first five individual games, but Wyoming took four games in the final series. Nate Vanderbeek was the leader of the pack as he posted a 516 series (268-248). Sawyer VanDyke had a strong day as well, with a 437 series (212-225). Elijah Cruz posted the highest score for East Kentwood with a 217 in the opening round of games.
Zeeland 28 def Unity Christian 2: The combined Zeeland bowling team cruised to victory over the ‘Saders on Monday. They took the Baker Games 181-151 and 186-150 to capture ten quick points. They followed that up with seven of the nine available points in the first regular game. The best showdown came between Nate Bruursema (199) and Kyler Hinken (191), with Bruursema earning the point for Zeeland. He finished the day with a 409 series (199-210), while Grant Bush (229) and Isaiah Reyes (212) joined him in the 200-club in their second games. Unity was led by Tanner Pitsch, who scored 203.
Girls Bowling
Grandville 23 def Grand Haven 7: The Bulldogs began their season with a Tuesday night victory over Grand Haven. Lauren Elias was the top performer for Grand Haven, as she won both of her individual matches.
Hastings 19 def Marshall 11: The Saxons started their season on Tuesday with a victory against Marshall. These two teams split the Baker Games, before the Saxons took control. Abby Barton posted a 315 series (159-156), Andrea Rhodes recorded a 205 individual game, and Ally Hearder bowled a 155 in her first match to score a point for the team.
Hudsonville 29 def Caledonia 1: The Eagles’ lack of practice didn’t slow their roll on Monday, as they cruised to an Opening Day victory over the Fighting Scots. In the Baker Games, they won 161-87 and 183-111 to capture a 10-0 lead. Behind a trio of stellar individual series performances (Ciara DeJongh 420, Morgan Blouw 415, Bryanna Bentley 373), they captured all but one point. Carley Hopkins was able to get Caledonia on the board with a five-pin victory in the first set of regular games.
Middleville 26 def Kenowa Hills 4: The Trojans started their season on Monday with a victory over the Knights. After sweeping the Baker games, Middleville kept rolling. Carly Snyder was the top scorer for the Trojans with a 357 series (201-156). Natalie Williams paced Kenowa Hills with a 252 series (151-101).
Rockford 28 def Jenison 2: Behind an anchoring performance from Emma Korhorn (192), the Rams cruised to a Monday victory against Jenison. The Wildcats were outnumbered with only three girls on the lanes, but both teams were able to get back to bowling and get some work on. Coach Porter was happy to have his girls back to bowling, but said that Rockford needs to continue to build on their spare shooting.
Wayland 26 def South Christian 4: The Wildcats began their 2021 season on Monday with a victory over the Sailors. After sweeping the Baker games, they continued their roll with a commanding victory. Kadence Bottrall rolled a 451 series (225-226) to lead the team, while Isabella Harnish put together a 394 series (205-189). Kaylynn Miedema paced South Christian with a team high 241 series, while Lexi Westra posted a team high 139 game.
Zeeland 23 def Unity Christian 7: The Zeeland combined girls team started their 2021 season off with a victory over Unity Christian on Monday. The first Baker game was close, a 160-151 win for Zeeland, but they cruised to a 208-131 victory in the second game. With three games of 180+ in the first regular game series, Zeeland opened up an 18-1 lead. Unity responded well with six points in the second regular game set, but it was not enough. Alyssa Fortney led Zeeland with a high score of 191, while Ellie Drenten (183), Megan Gemmil (181) and Brianna Fortney (180) turned in strong games as well. Unity was led by a 354 series from Lauren Vander Maas (174-180), and a team individual game high of 190 from Marissa Stanton.
