Struthers High teams have Eisenbraun touch

Struthers High School has had either a boys or girls team qualify for the state tournament every season since the sport was initiated seven years ago.
Last year's qualification to state by the boys team even surprised Bob Eisenbraun Jr., who has been Struthers' only boys coach.
"It was big for them to get there because no one expected us to get there," Eisenbraun said of the 2005-06 squad.
Although the Wildcats finished last among the 16 qualifiers in Chillicothe, there was optimism that the team might make a return trip for 2006-07.
Edwards departed
"We lost only one senior off the boys team," Eisenbraun said of prospects following the departure of Justin Edwards.
"They were so young last year. Maybe nerves had a lot to do with it [finishing 16th]," the coach said.
Edwards graduated at age 15, Eisenbraun said.
A junior on that team was Kevin Stout, who is back for 2006-07.
The boys started slowly, but have picked up the pace in recent weeks and now stand 7-4.
Eisenbraun Jr.'s girls counterpart is his father, Bob Eisenbraun Sr.
They are assisted by junior varsity coaches Chris Judd (boys) and Brandy Eisenbraun (girls). Brandy is Bob Jr.'s wife.
Last season, the girls missed reaching state by fewer than 20 pins.
"It's weird," Bob Eisenbraun Jr. said. "The expectations were for the girls to make state, but they missed out by less than 20 pins and the boys made it.
"When you start a season, you don't know what the kids are going to do. But once the kids get into a routine, improvements follow."
The girls lost two seniors from the 2005-06 squad.
It was the first season since the program's inception that the girls didn't reach state.
"We've had at least a boys or girls team at state since the program began and one year, 2003-04, we had both. It's been a pretty successful program."
The regular season for most schools concludes this week. The sectionals are Feb. 17.
All-Baker tournament
Struthers is among the teams entered in an all-Baker format tournament at Holiday Bowl, Feb. 3.
"We wanted to put something together in between the last match and the start of sectionals because there's a two-week gap," Eisenbraun said. "We wanted to keep them active."
At least eight teams, including some from outside the Mahoning Valley High School Bowling Conference, are entered.
"It's an open tournament, so anybody can join," Eisenbraun said of the event for both varsity and junior varsity squads.
After 15 Baker games, the top five teams will engage in a one-game stepladder final. Trophies and medals will be awarded for the first- and second-place teams.
Struthers also participated in Pete Nittoli's "Winter Recess Bash" at Camelot after Christmas, an event the Wildcats' girls won.
Struthers has an extra dual match Feb. 7 against Hubbard.
"I really enjoy doing it," Eisenbraun said of high school coaching. "It's fun, especially teaching the ones who want to learn and excel."
He said the junior varsity bowlers need more basic instruction, while older bowlers spend more time learning where to line up and how to adjust to lane conditions.
Fishel has 801
Dan Fishel's 801 led Double "S" Construction Trio at Amron on Jan. 17, when Fishel's top game was 289. About 88 pins behind was Bob Viglio's 713.
Bob Eisenbraun Sr. had 300-767 in Variety Mixed at Holiday on Jan. 20, while Tom Graham had 300-786 in Shooting Gallery at Holiday.
Ryan Ashman had his first 300 in Spiech Classic at Bell-Wick on Jan. 22. Spiech's top set, however, was Tom Dama's 780.
Teri Haefke had 279-(771)-1007 and Jennifer Gossett 278-(772)-956 in Ladies Trio at Wedgewood on Jan. 16.
Tod Terlecki had his first 300 and a 710 set and Bill Kelly had a 299 in Tuesday Night Twosomes at Wedgewood on Jan. 9.
The Twosomes also produced Kathy Carrozzino's first 600 of 621 on Jan. 16, when Rod Hahn had 11-in-a-row 290.
Willie McGaha's 713 in F.D. Mason at Camelot on Jan. 17 followed on the heels of his 832 in G.E. Mixed at Wedgewood on Jan. 8.
John Pitlik, Jerry Sikora, Angel Gonzalez, Jim Mondora, Jack King and Joe Minniti comprised the second-quarter winning City Concrete team in Fuzzy Toman Memorial at Holiday.
Perfect Blends of Donald Shaw, Agnes Dean, Doris Tate, Joe Gray and Jack Carter won Monday Night Mixed's second quarter at Camelot.
Blue Light Lounge won DePizzo Sausage/Champion Men's second 3rd at West Side with team members Joe Morley, Eric Burgy, Dan Panigall, Cliff Phillips, Bill Bisker Jr. and Bill Bisker Sr.
No-tap
HUBBARD -- The fifth annual 9-pin no-tap scotch doubles benefit tournament sponsored by the Youngstown USBC Women's Bowling Association will be Feb. 2-4 at Bell-Wick Bowl.
The categories are two women, two men, mixed pairs and adult/junior. Entry fee of 20 per doubles and forms -- available at area alleys -- should be sent to the YWBA, 2703 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown 44509. Pre-registration deadline is Jan. 31.
All bowlers will receive a "thank you" gift. A silent auction, raffle and door prizes will also be available. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society, Hospice of the Valley and the Jessica Moorhead Foundation.
The benefit's theme is "come knock down pins to help strike out cancer."
bassetti@vindy.com