ROCKINGHAM — Entering their fourth season in program history, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ and girls’ bowling teams are looking to continue an upward trend in 2021.
After building a solid foundation the past couple of seasons under third-year head coach Ralph Butler, the Raiders and Lady Raiders have proven to be contenders in one of the toughest high school conferences in the state.
The only sport at Richmond not sanctioned by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the bowling teams both qualified for the state championship last season. The Raiders made it as a team, while the Lady Raiders were represented in the singles tournament by former senior Hailey Miller.
The boys finished fifth overall at the state title match, and many of the 11 bowlers are returners from that team who will try and help the Raiders get back there this season. The Lady Raiders currently have six bowlers with a handful of returners coming back.
Most importantly, however, Butler said he and the teams are excited to get back out on the hardwood, especially after an extended time off due to the pandemic.
“It has been a difficult year, so being able to have the opportunity to play is great,” Butler said. “I’m glad the county, coach (Rob) Ransom and the conference were able to make it happen.
“The biggest challenge will be the shortened season,” he added. “Everything has been condensed into one month, so we don’t have as much preparation time as we normally do. However, I feel confident that with the number of returners we have, the teams will be ready.”
Richmond has been back in action for two weeks, holding tryouts and practices at Striker’s Bowling Alley. The season will be shortened to three team matches and two singles tournaments this winter before concluding with a state tournament. The regular-season matches will be held in Aberdeen and Lumberton.
Butler noted the current COVID-19 protocols in place haven’t been an issue, adding the bowlers do a great job of adhering to the guidelines.
Richmond bowlers are taking daily temperature checks, completing a questionnaire prior to events and are social distancing while wearing masks. Bowlers are also not allowed to share equipment, like bowling balls.
Returning for the boys’ team are seniors Tyler Bittle, Joseph Grant, Hunter Hancock and Mitchell Massey. Also back for the Raiders are juniors Dexter Mabe and Cameron Way, and sophomores Lane Richardson and William White.
Newcomers include senior Kevin Lee, and juniors Alston Johnson and Colin Wheeler. With eight returning bowlers, Butler said adding everyone back from the state title match last year is an added bonus.
“The boys have an opportunity to be great,” he said. “Many of the guys have picked right back up where they left off. It will be very difficult to pick the five starters each week. They are a good group of guys with good chemistry. They pull for one another to get better constantly and are a joy to be around.
“Normally we begin in November and it is the middle of January before someone bowls a 200 game. We’ve had three already in four practices, so that is very encouraging. Some others have run it up there close as well.”
Hancock and Massey have been three-year bowlers for Richmond and have the most experience with the format of matches. Butler anticipates that both conclude their respective careers with a strong senior slate.
“Hunter is a gamer and is even-keeled,” Butler explained. “He doesn’t get pressured. He stays focused regardless and always competes. He’s not a vocal leader, but his actions and attitude filter down to everyone else and is a big reason I think everyone gets along so well.
“Mitchell is the highest average bowler on the team. He has gotten better each year and is already posting some big numbers early. He should anchor a really good squad.”
Through a handful of practices, Butler said Way is also posting some good numbers early, and that it’s his bowling IQ and competitiveness that will help the team. Grant is “the most knowledgeable” player on the team who bowls in leagues year round, and Butler said he’s “bowling’s equivalent of a gym rat.”
White bowled several times as a freshman and is a player Butler said has shown the ability to get hot and post some big scores. The same goes for Richardson, as well as Johnson and Wheeler.
“This year we are focused on making it to states and performing well again,” Massey explained. “We learned a lot last year and know what is needed to make it further and put up better scores.
“As a senior, I want to let others know that we have the ability to do good. We just have to stay focused the entire time and not lose motivation after a bad shot.”
Hunter Hancock participates in a practice round earlier this preseason.
For the Lady Raiders, seniors Autumn Hoffman and Josie Standridge return as three-year starters, and sophomores Ashlyn Bouldin and Cadence Thompson are back for their second season. New this year is junior multi-sport athlete Ellie Buck and sophomore Molly Erwin.
Butler anticipates the four returners and two newcomers to contribute to the point totals, but said the key early on is to establish consistency. He said that starts with Hoffman and Standridge setting the standard.
“One of the big things with beginning bowlers is consistency. They’ll bowl a good game then bowl a sub-100,” Butler explained. “Josie and Autumn do a good job of avoiding the bad games and are more consistent.
“Their starting point this year is better than it has been with them which is expected given their experience. Autumn posted some big numbers last year late and I feel like she’ll be able to continue that this year.”
Senior Josie Standridge is one of four returning Lady Raiders this year.
Thompson finished strong last year, and Butler noted she is throwing some good balls right now and expects her to make a big jump this year. Bouldin saw limited time last year with the number of seniors the team had, but she has improved her numbers and her throws are “much more consistent.”
“The girls’ numbers are similar, which should be a good thing,” Butler said. “I’m hopeful that the girls can qualify for the state tournament this year. It has elluded the program so far. I’ve had a girl qualify for the singles each year but haven’t been able to get the team qualified. I’m hoping we can change that.”
Joining the team this year as an assistant coach is Lilly Sager, who has a background in the sport as well as competing in leagues. Butler said Sager will be a big help with the girls’ team and expects her expertise to help the program moving forward.
“Getting to bowl this year is unexpected,” Hoffman said. “We thought we wouldn’t get a season this year due to the pandemic. But I’m glad we do even if the season is cut short. Bowling to me isn’t just a sport, it’s a way to bond with people.
“I hope me and the other girls can grow, bind and get better as a team.”
All regular season matches will consist of five games following the Baker scoring format (five players, two frames per game). Matches will be scored using the regressive scoring system, with the team with the highest total each game and total series will earn four points, and so on. A team could earn a high score of 24 points.
Richmond’s first match is set for Feb. 11 at the Sandhills Bowling Center in Aberdeen. To meet gathering guidelines, two different bowling centers will be used for each match. Action is set to get underway at 4 p.m.
“I’d like to thank the owners of Godfather’s and Striker’s Bowling Alley, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Thompson, for supporting the bowling team and giving the players an opportunity to practice and be competitive,” Butler closed.
“He has been opening and operating at some different hours so we can get our games in. I’d like to see the community continue to support them, which will benefit our program.”
