Three Gadsden-area teams compete in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North Regional at the Shindig Family Entertainment Center in Tuscaloosa.
The competition is for regions 5-8 of all classifications. The South Regional, in the Spanish Fort, is for regions 1-4.
The Southside girls will compete in the 6A-7A region, while both boys and girls Etowah squads will compete in the 1A-5A region. This is the second season with teams split into two divisions due to the growth of the sport.
The top four teams from each region will qualify for the state tournament scheduled for January 27-28 at The Alley in Gadsden.
LAKE:Gadsden Times’ Bowlers of the Year for 2020-21 Season Announced
STRIPE ENDS:Southside’s 4-year state girls’ bowling championship comes to an end
The Southside girls won four consecutive titles between 2017-2020 before losing in the quarter-finals last season.
The top two teams from each region qualified for the regional competitions based on their win/loss records.
Assistant coach Renza Avery Sr. of Gadsden City High said the boys’ team finished in second place in their region but missed a state tournament berth due to a tiebreaker.
Bowling begins Thursday with classes 1A-5A in the morning and classes 6A and 7A in the afternoon.
Friday will be a “Best of 7 Baker Single Elimination Tournament” with the smaller rankings in the morning and the two higher rankings in the afternoon.
Southside coach Zachary Blume said he expects his team to qualify despite the team having four eighth-graders, two sophomores and one freshman and junior each.
Etowah coach Shawanna Roper also said she is hopeful about her team’s chances, although the girls’ side will be without two bowlers due to injuries and COVID.
Here are the local bowlers to watch this week:
Kaed Bradley, Etowah Boys
Figure: sophomore
Season: Came in fourth place at the Panther Classic with an average score of 204. Was the best bowler for the Blue Devils at times this season.
Cora Lee Clontz, Southside girls
Figure: Eighth
Season: Has an average score of 174 to lead the team as a high school student.
Keilsy Hull, Southside girls
Figure: sophomore
Season: Is one of only two bowlers to be part of the 2020 championship team, averaging a score of 166 this season for the Panthers.
Anna Jones, Etowah Girls
Figure: Senior
Season: Has averaged between 160 and 170 this season. Also plays basketball for the Blue Devils and travels back and forth both days for practice on Thursday and an area game on Friday.
Ellington Jones, Etowah Girls
Figure: Senior
Season: Top bowler for the Blue Devils has an average score of 190. Is also the team leader.
Hunter Wilder, Etowah Boys
Figure: Senior
Season: Has been back and forth with Bradley throughout the season for first place on the team. Has achieved an average score of better than 200 this season.
Contact Ehsan Kassim at 256-300-5313 or ekassim@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim.