Sunday, Feb. 08, 2009

Kennewick girls take 2nd at state bowling

By the Herald staff

TACOMA -- The Kennewick girls started strong and finished on fire in the Baker games but couldn't make up any ground on first-day leader Emerald Ridge at the 4A state tournament at Narrows Plaza Lanes.

The Lions posted the school's best finish, capturing second under first-year coach Oscar Garnica. They finished with 7,273 total pins, 60 behind Emerald Ridge.

"That's pretty outstanding, and it all comes down to teamwork," Garnica said, adding that a 145 and 126 in the 11th and 12th Baker games cost the team the lead.

"Those two Bakers hurt us in the standings. At one time, I think around the fourth Baker, we took the lead. It was just hard-fought between us and Emerald Ridge."

Kennewick capped the Baker round with games of 205 and 223, but Emerald Ridge finished just as strong (220 and 213).

Pasco finished sixth in the eight-team field.

Final standings -- Emerald Ridge 7333, Kennewick 7273, Wilson 7045, Puyallup 6952, Shelton 6939, Pasco 6743, Central Kitsap 6699, Evergreen 6546.

Baker games

Kennewick: 180-164-163-186-166-161-153-161-153-159-145-126-205-223--2345. Pasco: 163-164-130-114-173-148-124-135-180-188-198-132-151-125--2125.

Individual standings (Friday)

1, Ashli Mortensen (Evrg) 1,167. 2, Amanda Richards (Wil) 1,133. 3, Courtney Couch (ER) 1,120. 4, Yvette Yzaguirre (Pas) 1,119 (167-180-206-171-172-223). 5, Amanda Blackketter (Kenn) 1,111 (168-190-200-204-169-180).

Also: 11, Shanice Brice (Moses Lake) 1,053 (156-181-154-160-201-201). 18, Whitney McGary (Kenn) 1,008 (162-166-162-201-162-155). 20, Brittany Blackketter (Kenn) 985 (160-178-174-153-162-158). 23, Kiley White (Kenn) 975 (148-176-148-180-194-129). 29, Francesca Dominguez (Pas) 945 (143-125-182-171-162-162).