Boys Bowlers Roll Into State Finals

After a sluggish start last weekend in the regional round of the boys' state bowling tournament, the Tars battled back and earned a spot in the state finals this weekend—the team’s first-ever appearance—finishing second at regionals.

“The Baker-format games just aren’t our strongest games,” Anchor Bay coach Kevin Hibbs said. “Our regular games are where our strength is, and because of that, after the Baker game we were in ninth or tenth place.”

Strong regular game scores of 961, 910 and 959 propelled the Tars up the standings, eventually landing the team in the runner-up spot, behind Dakota and just one pin ahead of third-place finisher Utica. 

All three teams move on to the state finals March 4-5 at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek.

“We had 52 open frames in five games,” Hibbs said of the team’s performance at regionals. “That’s just not very good bowling, honestly. I think we could’ve won, I really do. We just didn’t bowl up to our potential.”

The team’s potential has been steadily rising all season long.

A rather young team, the squad will return five of the top six bowlers next season, the coach, and fans of the program, certainly didn’t expect such a successful outcome to the campaign.

“This year has really been a shock to me,” Hibbs said. “I knew we had a lot of talent, but we just weren’t a very good tournament team. We were great in regular matches, but we just weren’t very good in tournaments. We just weren’t bowling as a team. That changed a few weeks back though. Everything kind of came together.”

The result of this coming together was a Macomb Area Conference White tournament title and, now, a trip to state finals.

“I really would like to see us make the cut at the finals,” the coach said. “I think if we can do that we might have a chance. I think we have, if we bowl up to our potential, a team that can go all the way. I know we can do it. I know it.”

The skill is certainly there for the squad to make a legitimate run at a state crown, but the question is whether or not these young bowlers can perform under the pressure and spotlight of the games biggest event.

“They’re going to be nervous and they’re going to feel overwhelmed. I know this,” Hibbs said. “But we keep telling them in practice to just relax and have fun. That’s the key. Just let the ball do all the work. You put it in the right place and it’ll do the work.”

How the team fares this weekend is just icing on the cake, although a title would certainly make that treat much sweeter.

“I really think we can win it,” Hibbs said. “We need at least four guys to really bowl to have a chance, but I think we have six guys that can do that.”

The girls' squad also advanced to the finals, finishing in the top spot at regionals.

“I expect them to win it,” Hibbs said. “I really think they are hands-down the best team in the state. I really do.”

The Lady Tars compete for a state crown at the same time the boys battle for their championship in Battle Creek.