State Bowling Feature: Hillsboro is building something special
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Hillsboro Indians boys bowling team has become not just a participant in the OHSAA Division II State Bowling Tournament for a third straight season, but they have become a known commodity, a top player in the state bowling scene no matter the division or location.
HHS has built something special with their bowling program over the years, and now they are reaping the rewards by looking to be a state placer for a third straight year and hoping to finish even higher than they achieved the past two years.
During the 2014-15 season, the Hillsboro Indians bowled in Division I, and they were the surprise team by placing fifth in the final tournament of that season. Last year, bowling in Division II, the Indians placed sixth at state, losing in their final match by a single pin at 246-245, even though they bowled the second-highest scoring game of the entire tournament in the head-to-head round.
Fast-forward one year later, and the Indians are back, looking to avenge that one-pin loss and to send their three seniors – Tyler King, Sajoun Jones and Hunter Lowe – out on the highest note possible and reach the Top 4 or better this Saturday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl against the Top 16 teams in Division II.
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The path for not just the three aforementioned HHS seniors, but for sophomores Christian Mcconehea, Brendon Ormes, Andrew Louderback, Ty Alexander and freshman Hayden Miller, has been one of high moments at the start of the year, a bit of learning in the middle of the season, and as of late, pure dominance by winning the South Central Ohio League, sectional and district championships in a span of three weeks.
For the year, the Indians have won five tournaments, plus were runners-up twice and were fourth at an invitation-only state kickoff tournament involving both Division I and II schools. They have have built an overall record of 29-4. Over the past two seasons, the Hillsboro bowlers have built a record of 57-5 as they were 28-1 a season ago.
Now the final tournament of the season has arrived for the Hillsboro, and they are ready to see how well they can perform at the highest level for a third straight season.
“It’s phenomenal,” Hillsboro coach Shane Ison told The Highland County Press. “These kids’ effort they put in, day in and day out. As a coach, you couldn’t ask for more. These kids put everything into it, and obviously they’ve reaped the benefits of all our hard work. I’m just glad that they got to the state finals again for our seniors, to send them out on a good note. Hopefully, this year, we can finish a little higher than we have in the past two years. They definitely have the potential of being state champs.
“We got sixth last season and fifth the year before. Last year was kind of heartbreaking. Every year that we’ve been at state has been kind of a learning process. The first year, we were excited about being there the first time, being the number-one qualifier, and then we got beat by the eight seed. Last year, we were right in the middle of the pack, and we got beat with a 246-245 game to lose our state bid to go to the final four.
“Every year, they’ve kind of gotten better about potential. Coming out of the Southeast/East District is really tough. There’s a lot of good teams, and this year I was a little bit worried because we did lose some seniors last year and because of the talent level in our district. This year, you couldn’t ask for the boys to bowl any better. They just stepped up. Every tournament they’ve bowled in this season, they’ve stepped up in big moments.”
As for the three seniors, they’ve been to the big stage in Columbus, and now they want to end the season with the best finish possible.
“It feels a little different, but’s all going the same direction,” King said of making state for three straight years. “We started off with the kickoff tournament in December, and it went really well. We placed in the top five. Our season went pretty well, then we won the SCOL tournament, sectionals and districts.”
King also talked about his season and the season of the team, too.
“I don’t know if where I’m want to be yet, so far, but I’m on the track,” King said. “I would honestly say my best moment of the season was at districts, where I was the top average. It’s been fun this year. It’s more all like just coming together as a family. It’s been fun bonding with everyone and getting to know my teammates that weren’t here last year.”
Lowe also spoke highly of the season, the team and his own individual game.
“Honestly, I feel like we’ve bowled a little bit better than in the past. We’ve improved because we’ve all improved on our own bowling. I’ve been pretty happy with our results,” Lowe said. “It’s pretty exciting making state again. Hopefully this third time’s the charm to get first in the state. I hope we can do it.
“I think it’s probably about the same amount of pressure (making state), but maybe a little bit more just because it’s our third time. We’re expected to at least do better than we have been the last couple years, so it’s probably a little bit more pressure.”
Lowe spoke about his individual season as well, along with the underclassmen improving their game, becoming the future of the program.
“In the SCOL, I wasn’t so hot,” he said. “I just couldn’t do what I wanted in those matches. Tournament-wise, I think I’ve done pretty good.
“It’s kind of nice to see how good the sophomores and freshmen going to do after me and Sajoun and Tyler are gone. It’s exciting to see how good they’re going to bowl, and to see how far they’ll be able to make it next year.”
A third senior, Jones, has also been one of the top bowlers around this season. He is also making his third trip to the state tournament, as he also spoke about the team aspect of the season.
“It’s been nice to see the younger ones grow in their game,” Jones said. “They started out the season not the way they wanted to, but they’ve gained a lot.
“It’s been great (to reach state again). We’re at the top of our game right now. This year, I have a little more drive to end my high school career on a good note. I want to get on the first team, and as a team, I want to get at least the top four.”
Jones spoke about when the team really came together this season.
“Sectionals was when we all started bowling as a team,” he said.
Coach Ison spoke highly of the three seniors as they prepare for the final event of the season.
“The growing process of the kids – Tyler King, when he first started bowling, averaged 121 in our youth leagues. Now, he averaged 216 and was the highest average bowler in the SCOL,” Ison said. “He finished first at sectionals as an individual, and he finished first at districts and won the gold medal at districts.
“Sajoun has been all-state before, all-tournament teams before. He’s definitely stepped up every year. Hunter is all-state honorable mention last year. He finished second at sectionals, right behind Tyler, and was the second-place bowler of the individuals. It’s fun to watch them grow. They’re kids when they come in, and now they’re young men. The attitude that they have toward bowling, you can’t ask for more. You really can’t.”
The underclassmen, Miller, Mcconehea, Ormes, Louderback and Alexander, each spoke about the season and how they’ve done this season.
Mcconehea had an interesting story about how this is the first year he’s ever bowled.
“This is my first year bowling ever. It’s pretty exciting, but rough at times,” he said. “I haven’t been bowling the way I wanted, but it’s gotten better through the year. Like sectionals, I bowled pretty well. Saturday, I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere.”
Ormes wants to do well for the three seniors, as this is his first year as a full-time starting varsity bowler.
“I was on varsity last year, but I wasn’t starting varsity,” he said. “It’s exciting to make state, and I’m a little nervous, because it’s my first time actually bowling at state. I think we’ll all have a good time.
“For me, I’ve improved from last year, and I think we’ve also improved as a team. We’ve worked hard as a team. It’s pretty amazing to see that the team has improved. Each one of us has improved individually, and as a team we grew together. I feel like a family in this team.
“I would love to win state. I hope we at least qualify for state finals. I’m looking forward to all bowling together and having a good time with our last moment with the seniors.”
Miller is experiencing this as a freshman, but he’s been a big part of the Indians reaching state again. He also has seen his brother, Jaxsun, bowl at state twice, and his father Jeff is also a coach for the Indians.
“It’s pretty cool, because I watched my big brother Jaxsun bowl his whole life, and I always wanted to be a part of it,” Miller said. “Just the challenge of bowling, because it’s really hard, is what I enjoy.
“This season has been more than I expected. So far, winning the district championship is my favorite moment of the season. My first match of the season was my best, because I shot a 280.”
Also bowling for the Indians are Louderback and Alexander, with those being the alternatives for the state tournament. They’ve also have been an important part of the varsity team for the 2016-17 season.
“This is my first year. It’s been a good experience, fun and takes a lot of hard work,” Louderback said. “Seeing the team win districts is probably my favorite moment of the season.
“My season was a little shaky to begin with, but it’s gotten better. I want to get better and hopefully be one of the top on the bowling team next year.
“I’ve improved on my form the most and am working to be more consistent. If you have a bad form, you’re probably not going to do too great, so I’ve been working on that.”
Alexander also spoke about the team and his season.
“This is my first year on varsity, and my best moment was tryouts. I was on injury, and I hadn’t bowled all summer,” he said. “I came back averaging 40 pins higher than last year. I think it was mostly because I knew the seniors were gone and I had to step up. I really wanted that varsity spot. It was mostly just focus.
“I think I’m as good as I’ve wanted to be, but I haven’t performed what I could be doing. I’m definitely looking forward to state. I want to see the seniors get a win.
“I know I probably won’t be bowling, but it’s still really exciting. The seniors are some of the best, not just in Hillsboro, but some of the best I’ve met of any team. The seniors encourage the younger bowlers, and that is important.”
The Division II State Bowling Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 4, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.
HHS has built something special with their bowling program over the years, and now they are reaping the rewards by looking to be a state placer for a third straight year and hoping to finish even higher than they achieved the past two years.
During the 2014-15 season, the Hillsboro Indians bowled in Division I, and they were the surprise team by placing fifth in the final tournament of that season. Last year, bowling in Division II, the Indians placed sixth at state, losing in their final match by a single pin at 246-245, even though they bowled the second-highest scoring game of the entire tournament in the head-to-head round.
Fast-forward one year later, and the Indians are back, looking to avenge that one-pin loss and to send their three seniors – Tyler King, Sajoun Jones and Hunter Lowe – out on the highest note possible and reach the Top 4 or better this Saturday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl against the Top 16 teams in Division II.
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The path for not just the three aforementioned HHS seniors, but for sophomores Christian Mcconehea, Brendon Ormes, Andrew Louderback, Ty Alexander and freshman Hayden Miller, has been one of high moments at the start of the year, a bit of learning in the middle of the season, and as of late, pure dominance by winning the South Central Ohio League, sectional and district championships in a span of three weeks.
For the year, the Indians have won five tournaments, plus were runners-up twice and were fourth at an invitation-only state kickoff tournament involving both Division I and II schools. They have have built an overall record of 29-4. Over the past two seasons, the Hillsboro bowlers have built a record of 57-5 as they were 28-1 a season ago.
Now the final tournament of the season has arrived for the Hillsboro, and they are ready to see how well they can perform at the highest level for a third straight season.
“It’s phenomenal,” Hillsboro coach Shane Ison told The Highland County Press. “These kids’ effort they put in, day in and day out. As a coach, you couldn’t ask for more. These kids put everything into it, and obviously they’ve reaped the benefits of all our hard work. I’m just glad that they got to the state finals again for our seniors, to send them out on a good note. Hopefully, this year, we can finish a little higher than we have in the past two years. They definitely have the potential of being state champs.
“We got sixth last season and fifth the year before. Last year was kind of heartbreaking. Every year that we’ve been at state has been kind of a learning process. The first year, we were excited about being there the first time, being the number-one qualifier, and then we got beat by the eight seed. Last year, we were right in the middle of the pack, and we got beat with a 246-245 game to lose our state bid to go to the final four.
“Every year, they’ve kind of gotten better about potential. Coming out of the Southeast/East District is really tough. There’s a lot of good teams, and this year I was a little bit worried because we did lose some seniors last year and because of the talent level in our district. This year, you couldn’t ask for the boys to bowl any better. They just stepped up. Every tournament they’ve bowled in this season, they’ve stepped up in big moments.”
As for the three seniors, they’ve been to the big stage in Columbus, and now they want to end the season with the best finish possible.
“It feels a little different, but’s all going the same direction,” King said of making state for three straight years. “We started off with the kickoff tournament in December, and it went really well. We placed in the top five. Our season went pretty well, then we won the SCOL tournament, sectionals and districts.”
King also talked about his season and the season of the team, too.
“I don’t know if where I’m want to be yet, so far, but I’m on the track,” King said. “I would honestly say my best moment of the season was at districts, where I was the top average. It’s been fun this year. It’s more all like just coming together as a family. It’s been fun bonding with everyone and getting to know my teammates that weren’t here last year.”
Lowe also spoke highly of the season, the team and his own individual game.
“Honestly, I feel like we’ve bowled a little bit better than in the past. We’ve improved because we’ve all improved on our own bowling. I’ve been pretty happy with our results,” Lowe said. “It’s pretty exciting making state again. Hopefully this third time’s the charm to get first in the state. I hope we can do it.
“I think it’s probably about the same amount of pressure (making state), but maybe a little bit more just because it’s our third time. We’re expected to at least do better than we have been the last couple years, so it’s probably a little bit more pressure.”
Lowe spoke about his individual season as well, along with the underclassmen improving their game, becoming the future of the program.
“In the SCOL, I wasn’t so hot,” he said. “I just couldn’t do what I wanted in those matches. Tournament-wise, I think I’ve done pretty good.
“It’s kind of nice to see how good the sophomores and freshmen going to do after me and Sajoun and Tyler are gone. It’s exciting to see how good they’re going to bowl, and to see how far they’ll be able to make it next year.”
A third senior, Jones, has also been one of the top bowlers around this season. He is also making his third trip to the state tournament, as he also spoke about the team aspect of the season.
“It’s been nice to see the younger ones grow in their game,” Jones said. “They started out the season not the way they wanted to, but they’ve gained a lot.
“It’s been great (to reach state again). We’re at the top of our game right now. This year, I have a little more drive to end my high school career on a good note. I want to get on the first team, and as a team, I want to get at least the top four.”
Jones spoke about when the team really came together this season.
“Sectionals was when we all started bowling as a team,” he said.
Coach Ison spoke highly of the three seniors as they prepare for the final event of the season.
“The growing process of the kids – Tyler King, when he first started bowling, averaged 121 in our youth leagues. Now, he averaged 216 and was the highest average bowler in the SCOL,” Ison said. “He finished first at sectionals as an individual, and he finished first at districts and won the gold medal at districts.
“Sajoun has been all-state before, all-tournament teams before. He’s definitely stepped up every year. Hunter is all-state honorable mention last year. He finished second at sectionals, right behind Tyler, and was the second-place bowler of the individuals. It’s fun to watch them grow. They’re kids when they come in, and now they’re young men. The attitude that they have toward bowling, you can’t ask for more. You really can’t.”
The underclassmen, Miller, Mcconehea, Ormes, Louderback and Alexander, each spoke about the season and how they’ve done this season.
Mcconehea had an interesting story about how this is the first year he’s ever bowled.
“This is my first year bowling ever. It’s pretty exciting, but rough at times,” he said. “I haven’t been bowling the way I wanted, but it’s gotten better through the year. Like sectionals, I bowled pretty well. Saturday, I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere.”
Ormes wants to do well for the three seniors, as this is his first year as a full-time starting varsity bowler.
“I was on varsity last year, but I wasn’t starting varsity,” he said. “It’s exciting to make state, and I’m a little nervous, because it’s my first time actually bowling at state. I think we’ll all have a good time.
“For me, I’ve improved from last year, and I think we’ve also improved as a team. We’ve worked hard as a team. It’s pretty amazing to see that the team has improved. Each one of us has improved individually, and as a team we grew together. I feel like a family in this team.
“I would love to win state. I hope we at least qualify for state finals. I’m looking forward to all bowling together and having a good time with our last moment with the seniors.”
Miller is experiencing this as a freshman, but he’s been a big part of the Indians reaching state again. He also has seen his brother, Jaxsun, bowl at state twice, and his father Jeff is also a coach for the Indians.
“It’s pretty cool, because I watched my big brother Jaxsun bowl his whole life, and I always wanted to be a part of it,” Miller said. “Just the challenge of bowling, because it’s really hard, is what I enjoy.
“This season has been more than I expected. So far, winning the district championship is my favorite moment of the season. My first match of the season was my best, because I shot a 280.”
Also bowling for the Indians are Louderback and Alexander, with those being the alternatives for the state tournament. They’ve also have been an important part of the varsity team for the 2016-17 season.
“This is my first year. It’s been a good experience, fun and takes a lot of hard work,” Louderback said. “Seeing the team win districts is probably my favorite moment of the season.
“My season was a little shaky to begin with, but it’s gotten better. I want to get better and hopefully be one of the top on the bowling team next year.
“I’ve improved on my form the most and am working to be more consistent. If you have a bad form, you’re probably not going to do too great, so I’ve been working on that.”
Alexander also spoke about the team and his season.
“This is my first year on varsity, and my best moment was tryouts. I was on injury, and I hadn’t bowled all summer,” he said. “I came back averaging 40 pins higher than last year. I think it was mostly because I knew the seniors were gone and I had to step up. I really wanted that varsity spot. It was mostly just focus.
“I think I’m as good as I’ve wanted to be, but I haven’t performed what I could be doing. I’m definitely looking forward to state. I want to see the seniors get a win.
“I know I probably won’t be bowling, but it’s still really exciting. The seniors are some of the best, not just in Hillsboro, but some of the best I’ve met of any team. The seniors encourage the younger bowlers, and that is important.”
The Division II State Bowling Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 4, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.