Harding, Howland expected to contend

February 14, 2016 at 12:06a.m.

There is no clear-cut favorite for today’s Division I high school girls bowling tournament at McKinley Lanes in Niles.

Three slots are up for grabs for the district tournament on Feb. 21 at Roseland Lanes in Bedford.

Competing will be Fitch, Boardman, Canfield, Howland, Hudson, Kent Roosevelt, Niles, Nordonia, Stow-Munroe Falls, Twinsburg, Walsh Jesuit and Warren Harding.

Based on records, Warren Harding (11-0, 8-0 All-American Conference Red) and Howland (12-4, 4-4) should set the pace among the Mahoning Valley teams.

“We’ve bowled well all season,” Warren Harding coach John Nolen said. “We’ve accomplished a lot and I feel like this is the year that we could make it to state.”

The Raiders narrowly missed the cut last year, finishing fourth. They feature Katelyn Daughtery (182.10), Brianna Nolen (182.10) and Emily Oswald (170.21). The three have averages in the Red Tier’s top five.

Nolen (234, 226) and Daughtery (224) have also rolled three of the tier’s top six individual games.

Howland head coach Anthony Bernard, in his fifth season at the helm, says he has his best team to date.

“There really isn’t a clear cut number one or two this year, so we’ll need to stay close from start to finish if we expect to move on,” Bernard said.

The Tigers are led by Jessica Guesman, a two-time Warren Junior Masters champion and Jordan Pregibon, whose 171.90 average is fourth best overall in league play.

Fitch relies on seniors Alexis Hunter, Megan Matasy, Jordan Crum and Taylor Warmouth.

Canfield sophomore Allison Leone, a lefthander, has the potential to make a run for state.

Last year, Boardman placed second at the sectional and ended up 14th overall at state. Head coach Justine Cullen is in her second year and Alexis Grimm (192.91) leads the Red Tier in average.

Grimm also has the top two individual rolls at 247 and 245. Gloria Hynes’ 244 roll the third best overall.

“We’ve fought through our share of adversity but have come on of late,” Cullen said.

Niles head coach Jackie Zook said bowling at her team’s home house will help.

“We’ve improved since the start of the season and I feel as if we are hitting our stride at the right time heading to sectionals,” Zook said.

The Red Dragons feature Taylor Osborne, Carolyn Thomas, Gabby Miller, Vada Flannery and captain Ali Prox.

DIVISION II

In sectional play on Feb. 6 at Wedgewood Lanes, Hubbard, Cardinal Mooney and Girard advanced to Saturday’s district tournament at Roseland Lanes in Oakwood Village.

Hubbard’s Michaela Dudley finished first with a 521 set (143-185-193).

Qualifying as individuals were: Haylie Rotz, Lowellville; Raven Watson, Liberty; and Kourtney Husnick, Brookfield.