Published: September 19, 2008 09:38 am      

Helsley tops with 288 game, 734 set

Rodney Helsley bowled 734/288 at Wilson Lanes to lead area bowlers as more leagues begin their seasons. John Corbin followed rolling 701/265, and Rodney Kesner scored 700/251.

At The Bowler, Buck Lease was the top bowler posting a 683/238 score. Corey Shirey was close behind with 671/267.

Mike Sipple at White Oak Lanes rolled 681/244 for the high at that center. Joe Mullenax followed at 671/247. Dale Aldridge rolled a 288 game in his 662 set.

Jason Skipper was highest at Par-Matt Lanes bowling a 656 set. Dave Simmons was next rolling a 654 series.

CP Sines bowled 653/258 for Rainbow’s high. Sinclair Dudley was next, scoring 617/246.

The area’s top lady was Dee Self, who bowled 589/203 in the Powder Puff League at Rainbow Lanes. Lou Dillie followed rolling 564/233.

Liz Fullerton scored 581/209 in The Bowler’s Bowler Belles League. Jerri Gough also had a big score, rolling 555/231.

Nancy Glotfelty and Billie Jo Baker were the top ladies at Par-Matt, bowling sets of 574 and 515, respectively.

Autumn Gable was highest for the ladies at White Oak Lanes bowling 565/196. Felicia Deremer was just two pins back, scoring 563/201.

Robin Watts bowled 535/197 for the ladies high at Wilson Lanes. Sandy Smith was next rolling 521/211.

Ernie Davis bowled 634/230 and was the top senior. Jack Klosterman rolled 595/204 at The Bowler and Brad Deter scored the senior high at White Oaks, 529/193.

Just a couple of youth scores: Cody Morton bowled 618/225 at Rainbow Lanes and Tanner Smith scored 571/223 at White Oak Lanes.

The start of the new bowling season shows a lot of variation in scoring. It certainly shows who has worked on his or her games during the summer. It also reflects changes in equipment, health, and lane conditions including the weather. All those variables need practice time to work out so it’s not surprising to see early averages and team standings jump around during the first part of any new Fall bowling season. Check your league’s standings sheet and compare current stats with last year’s final averages and standings.

Spare shooting is the most important factor in determining averages. Practice should be focused on that part of your game. Somehow, when bowling practice games, we are more concerned about the score that is shown to all than about what we wanted to accomplish with that practice game. Some bowling centers have reduced rates during off hours. Take advantage of those special times to get some serious practice time. I like spare practice where the first ball is used to take only the seven or ten pin and the second ball of the frame to repeat your strike ball. That practice will improve your average.

Howard “Pete” Peterson is the bowling columnist for the Cumberland Times-News. You can reach him at petesbowling@atlanticbb.net.