Bowling Notes
Ready to Rumble
Lake Central boys roll into postseason with tourney title
If there's one high school bowling team in the region that should feel like it's heading into next week's sectionals on the right track, it's the Lake Central boys.
The Indians' second loss eliminated them from contention in the Greater Lake County Conference as Merrillville (11-0) clinched first place.
But that's fine with Lake Central after qualifying second in last Saturday's NWI Region Rumble at City Lanes in Michigan City.
The Indians then won two matches in the stepladder final against two conference champions to earn the title.
The Indians first defeated Quad County Conference champ Crown Point 429-380. They then beat Michigan City 416-409 in the final.
It hasn't been a typical season for the perennial state contenders, with several young bowlers mixed in with veterans.
But it all came together for the final big varsity meet before the postseason.
“We have so many new bowlers that have really stepped up and filled in where we have needed them to,” assistant coach Chris Munsie said. “The biggest challenge we have is filling our fourth and fifth spots. There are four equally talented boys, and it's really tough for (coach) Pat (Cobban) and I to decide who will bowl that day.”
One newbie standing out is freshman Derek Leyba. In his first varsity match, he began with 10 consecutive strikes and a 288 game. He had a 243 on Saturday in qualifying.
The Indians also brought up Brett Cobban from JV and he came through in the stepladder.
A constant for Lake Central has been senior anchor Joey Munsie, who struggled in Saturday's first game, but rebounded with 235. He made big pressure-filled shots in the Baker games (five bowlers rolling two frames each) and final.
“When it came to the stepladder, I felt like I stepped up and came through for the team,” Munsie said. “It's hard being anchor, but I really love the pressure.”
On the girls side, Chesterton defeated conference rival Portage 377-333 in the final to earn the Rumble title. The key was simply doing the job in Baker games by making spares when not striking.
“They're buying into just filling the frames and not trying to strike every time,” Trojans coach Derek Carter said.
“Obviously, (striking) is the goal, but we are starting to understand that it's OK if you don't — just fill the frame.”
Carter's stepdaughter Sarah Voiers has stood out for Chesterton by leading the conference with a 215 average.
But recently, Alyssa McCall has stepped up her game, leading the Rumble with a 279 game and 499 two-game set in qualifying.
The team event will be at Cressmoor Lanes in Hobart, while singles and doubles will be at Stardust Bowl II in Hobart. The cost is $30 per bowler per event with an optional $5 all-events actual and $5 all-events pins-over-average in men's and women's divisions.
The tournament is open to male and female Lakeshore Association members who have bowled at least 15 games in a league before the tournament. For more details, contact tourney manager Ken Laviolette at 219-741-4915 or
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