LAURINBURG — Even though the Richmond Senior High School girls’ bowling team split its two matches Thursday, it maintained its lead in the Sandhills Athletic Conference standings.
Closing out their 15-match regular season, the Lady Raiders started the day with a win over Southern Lee High School before dropping its finale to Pinecrest High School.
Collecting six points between the two matches, Richmond was able to hold on for a two-point lead in the standings. With 51 points, the Lady Raiders finished first overall ahead of second-place Hoke County High School (49 points).
Not far behind were Scotland and Pinecrest high schools, which tied for third place with 48 points each.
“The girls knew what was at stake when we started bowling,” head coach Ashleigh Larsen said. “We were really focused against Southern Lee and got a big win, and then I think we got a little complacent, which led to the loss.
“Regardless, the girls battled and were able to get those two points against Pinecrest and that helped us stay in first place,” she continued. “I’m proud of what they were able to accomplish and look forward to the postseason.”
Lady Raiders post several season-highs in win over Southern Lee
Richmond opened the two-match meet with a 4-1 victory over Southern Lee. As a team, the Lady Raiders secured season-highs in total pin count, average game score and single-game high score.
The Lady Raiders won with scores of 156-103, 113-125, 176-74, 111-96, which led to a 556-398 overall score. The team’s six bowlers averaged a game score of 139 pins while knocking down 10 strikes and 11 spares.
Closing 21-of-43 frames (48.8%), Richmond was led by freshman Kaylon Wynn in the opening match. She closed 6-of-8 frames (75%) with four strikes and two spares.
Junior Skyler Collins, who bowled four rames and split the other half with freshman Sydney Barnes, also had a .750 closing percentage. She rolled one strike and two spares, while Barnes went 1-for-4 with a helper.
Senior anchor Ava Thompson provided some clutch rolls in the fifth and 10th frames, finishing the match 6-for-11 (55%). She contributed three strikes and three spares.
Finishing with four spares in her eight frames was senior Hanna Smith, and one strike from junior Jentry Denson helped keep the Lady Cavs away.
Loss to Pinecrest doesn’t hurt Richmond in standings
With the conference standings tight, Richmond managed to secure two pivotal points despite a 3-2 loss to the Lady Patriots. Scores were 114-148, 116-200, 138-125 and 120-113.
Unable to make up the pin differential in the final two games, the final pin count favored Pinecrest 586-488.
The Lady Raiders had eight strikes, nine spares, averaged 122 pins per game and had a .405 closing percentage (17-for-42).
Smith and Denson both finished atop the scoresheet, each closing five of their eight frames (63%). The pair of Lady Raiders both had two strikes and three spares.
Thompson contributed two strikes and two spares, while Collins and Wynn both had one strike apiece. Barnes added to the pin total with a spare.
The Lady Raiders (11-4) will be the No. 1 seed in the SAC championship tournament, which will be held Wednesday at the Sandhills Bowling Center. They’ll face No. 6 Union Pines High School in the first round.
