Winter Sports Preview: LHS Boys Bowling

Tiger Men’s Bowlers off and rolling 

two wins in first week of season

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (November 19, 2020)  – This, fifth in a series of high school winter sports previews on Loveland Beacon, takes a look at  2020/2021 Tiger Men’s bowling.

Head coach Steve Adams and the Tiger Men’s Bowlers are on a roll starting his seventh year as coach with back-to-back wins over Moeller (2697-1939) Tuesday and Kings (2496-1895) on Wednesday.  The team is picking up where they left off last season when they recorded an overall winning record of 13-5 with a 9-3 record in Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) action for a 2nd place finish in the league. The two wins this week get them off to a 2-0 start overall with the 601 pin win over Kings making them 1-0 to start ECC league play.

One of the top returning bowlers this year is junior Alton French who carried a 182.5 average last season. French advanced as an individual to the District in postseason action on the lanes a year ago. Coach Adams team also includes top returning seniors Joey Kapszukiewicz (179.4), Brayden Shepard (177) and Sherron Peacock (184.8).

“All return with varsity experience,” said Adams. “Last year’s team had the most depth to it since I’ve been part of the program.”

When discussing concerns or questions they may face this season, Coach Adams pointed to the challenges which may come from the virus. He noted not only Loveland, but all teams may face the loss of key bowlers from virus and quarantine issues.

“Can the depth of our team carry us through when we are down a player or two due to these circumstances,” Adams wondered.

If the first two matches are to be counted as an indicator, the depth of the team appeared up to the task. Already, the team was without Alton French in the first two matches. Junior newcomer Collin Mangan rolled a single game high of 231 in the first game versus Moeller. He and senior Monty Noel helped lead the JV squad to a 15-1 overall record and 11-1 first-place tie with West Clermont in the conference last year. Coach Adams is counting on both to be key contributors this season.

“We lost four key members of the team to graduation last year,” said Adams. “We have five to six guys who can lead the team in scoring at any time. It will take consistency from each one of them each and every match to meet our goals for the season.”

Senior Joey Kapszukiewicz led all bowlers in the first two matches with an overall 199 average – up 20 pins from his average last season. He was consistently around 200 in all of his first four games. Brayden Shepard had second highest single game rolling a 211 in his final game Wednesday. That helped him to a 196.5 average tying him with Kapszukiewicz for high average of the day as they defeated Kings.

Coach Adams noted the loss of five bowlers from last year to graduation: Killian Baarlaer, Anthony Jerdack, Matt Rychilk, Jeffrey Scott, and Ben Westley. He also is confident in the scoring ability of those on his roster for this season including seniors: Justin Dierling, Joey Kapszukiewicz, Jacob Kim, Monty Noel, Sherron Peacock, Brayden Shepard and juniors Alton French and Collin Mangan.

“West Clermont is the 4-time defending champion in our conference, clearly the team to beat once again this season,” Adams said. “Milford and Kings have solid programs year in and year out. Lebanon and Little Miami are new to the conference this year and will challenge for top honors.”

Click here for match results versus Moeller Tuesday, 11/17

Click here for match results versus Kings Wednesday, 11/18

Click here for full Loveland Men’s Bowling Schedule

Follow all the strikes and spares with Coach Adams on Twitter at:  https://twitter.com/TigersBowling

Check http://www.lovelandtigers.org for more about Loveland High School Athletics

Check http://www.eccsports.com for results and more.