Bowlers fair well at conference tourney

LOWELL -- The Siloam Springs bowling teams competed in the 7A/6A-West Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Fast Lanes.

The defending conference champion Siloam Springs boys finished third overall behind Bentonville (4,153 points) and Fort Smith Southside (4,141).

Siloam Springs collected a team total of 3,139 points and finished the tournament with 3,884 after the baker games. Springdale was fourth at 3,800, followed by Fort Smith Northside 3,731, Rogers Heritage 3,536, Rogers 3,423, Bentonville West 3,396, Fayetteville 3,369 and Springdale Har-Ber 3,348.

"The men were strong most of the tournament, struggling in the second game and third baker," said SSHS head coach Ken Bolinger. "Going into baker games they were in third and never looked back."

The Panthers averaged 176 pins for all 22 games. Rolling high games for Siloam Springs was Nathaniel Brown, who earned all-conference honors after a 224, 185 and 191 for a 600 series and fifth place finish.

Jordan Barker rolled a 203, 179 and 173 for a 555 series. Nate Wolfe rolled a 236, while Tristan Moose had a 199 and Jakob Elledge a 193.

The Lady Panthers finished fourth overall behind Bentonville (3,600), Rogers Heritage (3,453), and Rogers (3,364).

The Siloam Springs girls finished with 2,446 team points and wrapped up with 3,013 after the baker games. Bentonville West was fifth at 2,946, followed by Springdale 2,812, Fort Smith Northside 2,696, Fayetteville 2,837, Fort Smith Southside 2,592 and Springdale Har-Ber 2,468.

"The ladies were in fourth going into the baker games but after the first two of four games they had sunk to fifth and only by 17 pins," Bolinger said. "With great desire they managed to rise with games of 168 and 175 to seal their fourth place position."

Rolling high games for the Lady Panthers were Hannah Barker, who finished all-conference after rolling a 170, 165 and 140 for a 475 series and 10th place finish. Holly Green bowled games of 176 and 170, while Sydney Smith rolled a 153 and Tessa Brown 151.

Both the boys and girls teams qualify for the state tournament at Bowling World in Fort Smith on Thursday, Feb. 15. It's only the second time both teams have qualified in the same year.

Sports on 02/11/2018