By Steve Williams
Ava Brooks finished her high school bowling career in grand style.
But it wasn’t enough to keep the Carter girls bowling team’s season alive in the Region 2 tournament semifinals last week at Crest Bowling Lanes in Maryville.
William Blount edged the District 4 champion Lady Hornets 16-11, with the winning margin coming in the match’s total pin fall (2,310 to 2,287).
Brooks, a senior and Carter’s leadoff bowler, posted a 201 in the second game of the series. She also rolled games of 147 and 146 for a match-high 494 series.
Carter came up just short in only its second season of having a bowling team.
“You knew it was going to be close,” said Lady Hornets Coach Ray Wynn. “I’m so proud. We’ve never been here before. They came out and competed and made adjustments.”
This Carter team laid the foundation for the program felt Wynn, and it had only two seniors – Brooks and Elizabeth Umbarger.
The Lady Hornets will return the 2-3-4 bowlers in their lineup – sophomore Hallie Lane and freshmen cousins Kayla Rucker and Gracie Miller.
Gracie rolled Carter’s next best game of the match – a 144.
Abigail Mauritcio led William Blount with a 179 game. Olivia Leuking contributed a 165. Lily Durman chipped in a 158. Sheyenne White had games of 156 and 153.
In the other semifinal match, Sevier County eliminated District 4 runner-up Bearden 18-9 behind Maggie Patterson’s 204-122-157 (483). Senior Mariam Elwasif led the Lady Bulldogs with a 167-153-162 (482).
William Blount toppled Sevier County in the finals 18-9, but the Lady Governors had only a 30-pin edge in total pin fall. White led WB with a 165-159-192 (516).
In Saturday’s sectional round, William Blount was scheduled to host Dobyns-Bennett, while Sevier County traveled to Rogersville to battle Cherokee High.