Hillsboro boys bowling team heading back to state

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The undefeated Hillsboro boys bowling team is still just that; undefeated. They will take that undefeated record right into the State tournament on Friday.

The Indians came out firing on Thursday in Heath, Ohio. After a strong showing at the sectional tournament the coaching staff were hoping for a good showing from Hillsboro in the hopes of finishing in the top two to qualify for state for the second year in a row. They were not disappointed.

In the first game, the Indians shot a strong 1117 game to lead the field, led by senior Jaxsun Miller with a 276 game and Tyler King with a 244.

As the lanes started to transition the tribe fell off there scoring pace and shot an 860 ‘s game. After a few equipment changes, the Indians were back to a 1000 pin game. After the first four bakers, the boys increased there lead to over 100 pins but gave a bunch back in the final two bakers due to a extremely dry lane conditions.

In the end the Indians held on and won the District championship by 6 pins with a total of 4223 over second place Minerva scoring 4217.

“We are very proud of all the boys have accomplished this year,” said coaches Shane Ison and Jeff Miller. “Our goal was to try to improve on a great season last year finishing 5th in the state, but to do what we have done this year is simply incredible First place in the SCOL, first in sectionals, now first in District Finals. Going back to the OHSAA state tournament was a goal from the start, but to go undefeated all the way there is a huge advantage mentally for our boys. Last year we walked into the state tournament unknown by most. This year we are known by every team there. We are not walking into Wayne Webbs Columbus Bowl on Friday to just make a appearance or to put up a good fight. We are going to hit them with everything we have got. I believe we will go very deep and have a shot to win it all.”

On the other side of things, the Lady Indians won a sectional championship on Saturday afternoon and will now head to the district tournament on Saturday.

The Lady Indians started out slow, looking at 10th place after their first game. The Lady Indians came alive after the first game and scored a 956 second game that shot them into first place. After that, they never looked back and won with a 78 pin lead over Briggs High School.

Top scorer for Hillsboro was Senior Keely Bennington with a 592 series, second was Madalyn Miller with a 551.

“We knew going into sectionals that we had to finish top 20 out of 39 schools there to advance to districts,” said Jeff Miller. “However our goal walking in was to make a statement and finish top five. Our boys had set the bar high for the ladies to match. Winning a sectional title is a great start. We have a lot more work to do. We have to make some equipment adjustments to prepare our girls for drier lane conditions. But when we go to districts on Saturday we will be ready to hopefully match the boys and bring home another title.”

Reach Robert Stegbauer at 937-393-3456 ext. 1679 or on Twitter @RStegbauer.

By Robert Stegbauer

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