Bowling 1A/2A District champions, headed to state playoffs

Posted

Girls bowling is headed to the state championship tournament after winning the 1A/2A District Championships on January 28. Seven Blaine bowlers will travel to Tukwila for the state championship beginning Saturday, February 8.

Bowling is the second Blaine team to qualify for state this winter, with competitive cheer qualifying for its third state championship in three seasons. Cheer competed in the state tournament on January 24 and 25, placing fifth overall – just 0.4 points shy of a fourth place finish.

Girls Bowling

Blaine girls bowling came out on top of the Northwest Conference (NWC) pile on January 28, defeating Burlington-Edison, Anacortes and Meridian at Riverside Lanes for the 1A/2A District Championship.

The Borderites scored 2790, defeating the field by more than 100 points, and the team is now headed to Tukwila for the state championship on February 8.

Head coach Matt McAuley said the team thought of itself as underdogs heading into the district championship, as it had consistently competed with tough 3A teams all season long, and were ready to show out in the playoffs.

“We’ve been playing and beating some bigger teams. We’re seeing and playing against a lot of really great bowlers, so the team came into [Districts] thinking they’re the underdog.” McAuley said. “I knew they had it in them the whole time, they’re great bowlers, but even better kids.”

That underdog mentality seemed to help the Borderites so far this postseason.

Ainslee Ellis led the Borderites in total points, placing third individually in the field of twenty bowlers across four teams. Shaylie Daniels, Nevaeh Zaddack and Della Cochran placed sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, and Madi Miller placed tenth overall.

The state rounds will be slightly different than the regular season, with individual rounds starting on February 8, then a “Baker Game” on Saturday February 9, meaning each Blaine bowler will play just two frames in a ten-frame match, forcing the team to combine for the highest score.

McAuley said the team’s skill, as well as its friendship and camaraderie, got them to the state tournament, and he expects another great effort from the whole team.

“They’re great bowlers, but I love that they’re all friends as well,” McAuley said. “They cheer for each other. I’m just excited that they’re going to have the opportunity to show everyone how well they can bowl.”

The 1A/2A state tournament will be held at Bowlero in Tukwila on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9. Tickets are on sale at bit.ly/40BKhvl and start at $12 per day for adults, and $9 per day for students, seniors and military members.

Boys Basketball

Blaine boys basketball dropped a NWC match at home to first-place Lynden (18-0, 12-0 NWC) on Thursday, January 23, losing 73-60 despite playing one of its best games of the year against its toughest opponent.

The Borderites were trailing by just nine points entering the final quarter of play before the visiting Lions pulled away in the final minutes. Despite being on opposite ends of the conference table, the Borderites gave the Lions fits on both sides of the court.

Blaine senior guard Josiah Weeda shot well, going 8-for-13 for 20 points along with nine rebounds, leading the Boderites in both categories. Senior forward Dulio Kanagie contributed 14 points, and junior forward Landon Melton scored 13.

The Borderites went on the road for its next two games, losing 63-51 to Bear Creek on January 25, then losing 75-38 against Lakewood on January 28.

Blaine seemed to be mounting a significant comeback in the final

quarter against Bear Creek, scoring a team-high 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to close a gap created by a 25-point second quarter by Bear Creek.

Back from a brief hiatus, Landon Melton continued his hot week with another solid scoring performance, going 8-of-14 for a team-high 18 points. Kanagie added 15 points and Weeda scored nine.

Travelling south to face Lakewood on January 28, the Borderites couldn’t get its defense situated, giving up 75 points en route to a 75-38 loss.

The Borderites (3-14, 0-12 NWC) have a chance to finish the regular season on a high note with three final games all taking place at home. Blaine will hope to string together some solid performances similar to its scrappy near-upset of Lynden on Thursday, January 30 at 7:15 p.m., hosting 3A Ferndale.

Next week, Blaine will host Mt. Vernon on Monday, February 3 at 7:15 p.m., then Sedro-Woolley for Senior Night on Saturday, February 8 at 7:15 p.m.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Girls Basketball

Blaine girls basketball went down to the wire against Lakewood at home on January 28, losing 53-46 in a game that featured multiple lead changes and intense, physical defense from both teams.

The Borderites were faced with a tough, full-court press defense from the visiting Lakewood team, and were constantly battling the turnover bug to try and break Lakewood’s various traps and snares all night.

Junior Aaliyah Bowman led the Borderites with 17 points on offense, and snagged multiple rebounds on both sides of the court. Junior Kate Koreski also had a great night on offense, scoring 14 points while playing tenacious defense.

With less than 90 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Borderites were trailing by one possession when Lakewood hit a nail-in-the-coffin 3-pointer, and Blaine just couldn’t get enough time on the clock to mount another comeback.

It was an encouraging week for the Borderites, coming off a lopsided 60-20 loss to Cedar Park Christian on January 21. Blaine immediately bounced back with a 40-27 road win over Bear Creek on January 25, with three players scoring double-digit points.

Koreski scored a team-high 14 points, followed by Bowman with 12 points, and senior Brie Smith who notched a 10 point, 10 rebound double-double. Sophomore Marcella Bring led the team with four assists.

The Borderites (4-11, 1-8 NWC) have just four games remaining on the regular season schedule. The team will host Ferndale on Thursday, January 30 at 7 p.m., then travel to Mt. Vernon on Monday, February 3 at 7:15 p.m., then host Bellingham for Senior Night on Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here


OUR PUBLICATIONS