CHS bowlers travel north to Chicagoland to face the best
By Mark Jurgena
The Collinsville boys bowling team ventured to Chicagoland Saturday to take part in the Plainfield North Strikefest at Town and Country Lanes in Joliet. CHS finished seventh out of 43 teams for the tourney.
“We started with a little bit of a rough game in the morning and just climbed up from there,” said CHS coach Sean Hay. “We threw one of our highest games in the last game of the tournament which was good because the shot broke down pretty hard. My main purpose for having the kids there, because I knew the shot breaks down pretty tough, was to try to make sure we could play the lanes the way we need to. We’re always gearing toward regional, sectional, and state.
“We take every learning opportunity from these tournaments for that.”
Ben Sloan was the top bowler for the Kahoks on the day. He had a high game of 224 in game three. Additionally, he rolled games of 223, 206, and 203 with a pair of games below 200.
“Ben was our best bowler which is nice because every time we hit the tournament we’re getting a different kid being the best bowler which usually pans out well at the end of the season,” said Hay. “Ben is expanding his game to be better in the back half of tournaments and it’s starting to take hold.”
Jacob Taylor, who missed the preseason due to football, had the second highest game of the day at 235. He accomplished that in the sixth and final game.
“He had a rough first game and came in the last game and rolled a 235,” said Hay. “There were much higher scores being bowled but that late in the tournament where nobody was scoring was good to see.”
Hay also mentioned the stellar 225 that Cole Buckman fired in his sixth game as well.
Mascoutah ended up taking the team championship at the event.
CHS win over Alton
The Kahoks took a big SWC win over Alton at Camelot Bowl on Nov. 17.
Cole Buckman fired a 691 series to lead Collinsville. He had a high game of 268 while also throwing a 237 in game three.
Brandon Campbell had a 633 series with high games of 232 and 207. Mason Foley had the next highest series at 628. His two highest games were 235 and 203.
Sloan also threw a 212 in one of his games.
“So far things are going pretty well,” commented Hay. “It’s always good to win the first match and do decent at the first few tournaments.”
Upcoming Schedule
The Kahoks returned to the lanes at Camelot on Tuesday for a showdown with Belleville East however results were unavailable at press time. Saturday they will be at Forest Hills Lanes in Loves Park for the Harlem Invitational.
