LAURINBURG — Richmond Senior High School’s bowling teams continued Sandhills Athletic Conference action for the first time in the new year on Thursday.
Facing Pinecrest and Hoke County high schools for the second time this season, the boys’ team dropped both of its matches, while the girls’ team split its two contests.
Lady Raiders defeat Hoke, fall to Pinecrest
The Lady Raiders opened Thursday’s meet with a 4-1 loss to Pinecrest, losing three games and the final pin total 466-447.
Head coach Ralph Butler said the team “bowled much better against Hoke,” which was in second place in the standings, followed by the Lady Raiders in third.
Richmond’s girls defeated the Lady Bucks 4-1, taking three games and clinching the win with a higher pin total of 465-415.
“The girls did a great job on encouraging one another and I think that it led to some momentum against Hoke and they got a big win,” Butler said.
The team’s top bowler on the day was freshman Ava Thompson, who closed 10 of her 18 frames and tallied six strikes. Junior Cadence Thompson bowled three strikes and closed six of her 16 frames.
Butler added that junior Addison Massey “had some great throws and 9-pinned a lot. If she picks up the one pin, she will greatly improve her average.”
With the split, the Lady Raiders added 5 points to their season standings.
Raiders lose two matches for the first time this season
Heading into Thursday’s action, the Raiders were just one point behind first-place Pinecrest in the SAC standings. But Richmond lost 4-1 to the Patriots, winning just one game and losing the final pin count 812-660.
Butler noted the team “was right there with them” in the first game, but couldn’t earn the win.
“They bowled great in the next game and we couldn’t keep up,” Butler said of the Pinecrest match. “I think they were a little deflated after that and it carried over into the Hoke County match.”
The Raiders, who defeated Hoke County earlier in the season, lost to the Bucks 4-1. In the final pin count, Richmond was just one pin behind, falling 600-599.
Senior Cameron Way led the Raiders on the day, closing 14-of-18 frames with an impressive nine strikes.
Fellow senior Dexter Mabe knocked down eight strikes and closed 10-of-16 frames, and senior Alston Johnson chipped in seven strikes and closed 11 of his 14 frames.
“We didn’t do a whole lot over the break, but that’s my fault,” Butler closed. “We should’ve practiced more and they had some rust. We’ll get back at it next week and they’ll find their rhythm again.”
The Raiders earned two points in the standings following their pair of losses on Thursday.
Note: Coach Ralph Butler contributed stats and information to this article.
