Numbers Favor East, but Harlem takes the NIC-10 Victory

By Bob Balgemann, REPORTER

 After two NIC-10 games, Harlem’s Boys Bowling Team was 2-0 and averaging 1,262 pins per game. Rockford East, the third opponent of the season, was 1-1 yet averaged 1,337 a game. And, to make matters a bit worse, the E-Rabs surpassed the 4,000-pin mark a few days before in a loss to Hononegah, 4,311 to 4,019. On the day of the match, however, the Huskies got it done. They rolled a season-high 3,992 series while improving to 3-0, when they defeated East by 260 pins. They took the first game with a season’s best 1,439 pins to 1,308 for the E-Rabs. Jake Nimtz broke 700 for the first time in league play, with his 734 leading the team. That was a personal best for him this winter as was his 265 game. Noah Mandujano was close behind with a 718 series and a single game 266 that was one pin higher. So far they are tied for third in the Conference with averages of 226 per game. Dawson Jones recorded a personal best series of 675 that included a high game of 280, the latter being high for the team during week three. Contributions also came from Nick Howard with a 659 series (his season’s best is a 690); Collin Day with a 604 series; and Kyler Gerl with a 388 for two games.

Becca Hagerman led the Lady Huskies with a 738 series, her best to date, as was her 279 single game. Mylee McCracken also chipped in a 279, her high game for the season, to go with a 717 series. Others figuring in the scoring were Kayla Verstraete with a 561 series; Treasure Childs, a 506; Laura Bartelt, a 330 in her first Varsity match; Angel Grinnall, a 329; and Alexandria Buffington, a 303.

Junior Varsity Play

In Junior Varsity competition both Harlem’s Boys and Girls are tied for first place with 3-0 records. Both teams easily defeated East in the third match of the season. Ethan Pash led the Huskies with a 676 series that included a high game of 264. So far this season his 267 single game ranks number one in the Conference, with his 711 series being second. Ethan’s 225 average leads his team and ranks number two in the Conference after three games. Josh Roth (211) is tied for third while Cody Lawrence (210) is number five.

For the Lady Huskies, Laura Bartelt rolled a 582 series, best for the day, and a 205 single game, which ranked her number three. Her 193 average leads the team and for her efforts, she has been elevated to the Varsity team. Harlem’s Varsity and JV teams will wrap up December play in the NIC-10 with a road match at Auburn on Dec. 19.

A First for Dawson

Harlem’s Varsity and JV teams both finished first at the recent Vernon Hills Tournament. Dawson Jones won his first individual title while Evan Johnson took first at the JV level. Josh Roth was second for the JVs with James White in fifth.