Lady Bucs stun Guilford bowlers in battle for second place

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY – Harlem’s girls (7-0) continue to steamroll toward a NIC-10 bowling championship this season.

But there was a bit of a shakeup last week in the battle for second place with Belvidere stunning Guilford by 44 pins and Freeport upsetting previously once-beaten Belvidere North.

The Lady Bucs, Lady Blue Thunder and Lady Pretzels now are tied for second, all with 5-2 records, as the regular season comes down to the final two matches.

Three Belvidere bowlers put personal bests on the board as the team held off a late rally by the Lady Vikings to win their pivotal match, 3,592 to 3,548. Each team went into the match with 4-2 record.

Hailey Carter rolled a 676 series that included a 254 single game to lead the charge for BHS. Her series was third best for the week.

Other standout performances included:

Holley Steelberg recorded a 279 single game, No. 1 for the week in the conference, and a personal best 644 series. Her 279 now ranks as the second highest for the season, behind a 300 by Becca Hagerman of Harlem.

Sara Deddo shot a 646 series that included a 276 single game, the latter finishing third best for the week. Her 276 is fifth best for the season.

Team-wise, Belvidere’s 1,293 single game was tops for the week in NIC-10 play, with its 3,592 series second best. The 1,293 game set the tone for the match as it immediately put Guilford behind by 163 pins.

Freeport won the first two games against Belvidere North to take a 2,278 to 2,237 lead. North stormed back to take the third game, 1,244 to 1,149, but fell short by 102 pins.

Annissa Hintt led the Lady Blue Thunder with a 651 series, followed by Ashley Platt with a 607; Alexis Bendorf, a 583; Brynn Lambrecht, a 576; Kylie Johnson, a 573; and Emily Nakashima, a 490.

No personal bests were posted by North in that match.

The conference season will wrap up this week with Harlem hosting the regional Feb. 6 at Forest Hills Lanes in Loves Park. Both Belvidere and Belvidere North will be at that regional, with qualifying teams and individuals going to the sectional on Feb. 13 at Round Lake.