Oxford High varsity boys bowlers ended the regular season on a high note winning the OAA team championships on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 15.
After seeding fourth th the Wildcats narrowly beat Troy Athens two games to one in the quarter finals. The Wildcats then defeated the Dragons of Lake Orion two games to one to advance to the finals. In the finals, the Wildcats would get revenge for their only loss of the season beating Farmington Harrison in two games 220 to 169 and 227 to 149.
‘We really are excited to get this tournament win. It gives us great momentum going into regionals,? said Head Coach J.R. Lafnear. ‘We have a lot of respect for the other teams in our conference and to win this tournament is special. These boys just have way of finding ways to win and did a great job today once we got to match play. ?
Earlier in the week the OAA Red Division titles were on the line on Thursday when the Wildcats took on the Dragons of Lake Orion clashed at Collier Lanes. In both the boys and girls matches the winners would be crowned conference champions.
The Oxford boys came out of baker with a 10 point lead winning both baker games 182 to 168 and 211 to 177. That would prove to be the difference in the match. Lake Orion won game 1 of head to head play winning four of five matches and totals 1019 to 989. In the Lake Orion bowlers Andrew McKenzie 224.Schuylar Werth 246 and Zach Biskner 203 all shot well. Oxford had Luke Delong bowl 235,Brady Wynkoop at 228 and Drew Pappas at 201 but couldn’t beat the Dragons. Oxford held on to a slim 11- 8 lead.
In game two Oxford led the entire game but the Dragons charged back in the 9th and 10th frames to make it close. Oxford held on to win 992 to 967 to capture the title. Game two had Oxfords Luke Delong shot 225 and Drew Pappas 202 while Lake Orion had Mackenzie at 222, Werth at 238 and Biskner at 211. The final score was Oxford 17 Lake Orion 13.
‘The team had a goal of winning the OAA crown and they achieved it. It wasn’t easy because Lake Orion bowled well but we were able to find a way to win,? Lafnear said. ‘This was an exciting night of bowling and I am very proud of this team. They fight to the end and they needed to tonight.?
? The excitement didn’t end with the boys. Both Lake Orion and Oxford girls were undefeated in conference play going into the match. The winner here would also be crown OAA red Champions.
After splitting the two-baker games 186 to 162 and 148 to 142 Lake Orion held a six to four lead. Oxford would charge back winning three of five matches and totals 853 to 799 to take an 11 to 8 lead.
In game one Mackenzie Janssen had a 213, Abby Pappas had a 181 and Alyssa Hurlburt had a 174 while Lake Orion’s Madeline Marcetti tossed a 204 and Hannah Mix was at 212. In game two the Dragons would fight back with Hannah Mix leading the way with a 233 game, Marcetti 177 and Katrina Gladstone at 174 and a team score of 895.
The Wildcats countered with Hurlburt at 181, Pappas at 174, Hannah Farmer 172 and Janssen at 184 and a team score of 824.? A bad break in the 10th for the Wildcats and a double in the 10th for Lake Orion made the difference as the Dragons pulled out a 17 to 13 win.
‘This was what high school athletics is all about, two good teams battling for a title. We made some mistakes early and fought until the end,? Lafnear said. ‘Hats off to the Orion team they are tough. I am proud of how the Oxford team bowled and competed. We got better all year and gave ourselves a chance but came up a few pins short.?