The Oxford boys came out of the gate firing and led the regional tournament at the 300 Bowl in Waterford after the first set of baker games.
After rounds two and three of’baker games the Wildcats were tied for second’place. The top six to eight teams were all within 50 pins. The regular games would decide the top three spots. In game 1 the Oxford team would struggle mightily, shooting only 837 as a team. The Wildcats had dug a hole for themselves dropping out of the top 3 qualifying spots. This group of boys responded nicely in game 2 with a 941 game. That game would put them’back in’first’place with 1 game to go.
The Wildcats bowled a strong 910 in game 3 but Clarkston’s 964 and Walled Lake Centrals 933 would jump them for the top two spots. Oxford held on to third’place to advance to the state finals for the first time since 2010. Oxford finished 64 pins ahead of fourth’place Walled Lake Northern. Oxford would finish 33 pins out of first’and just 12 pins out of second.
‘We really battled today and nearly won the regional. We’re happy to advance to the finals,? Varsity Bowling Coach J.R. Lafnear said. ‘These boys have had a strong season and this is a great way to finish it. There (are) only 18 teams left and we feel we can compete with them.??
This is only the third time a boys? team from Oxford has advanced to the finals. They last did it in 2010. Before that they did it in 2009. The finals are held at Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights on Friday the 28th’of February.?
The Oxford Girls gave a strong showing as well. They ended up in fifth’place and had some real strong games. The girls? team let everyone know that they would be a strong contender next season as most of the team will be back. The girls last advanced in 2012 and have been to the finals three times.?
The singles competition followed the team event on Saturday. The boys all finished in the top 30 with Jake Delong leading the way in 17th’place.
Only the top 10 bowlers move on to the finals. Alyssa Hurlburt led the girls finishing in 15th’place.