B-town validates Oly League crown

By AARON MANAGHAN

Sports editor

SILVERDALE — The Bremerton girls bowling team didn’t need to prove anything, having already won the Olympic League championship and clinched a berth at the 3A/2A West Central District III Tournament.

But the Knights did anyway, winning the Olympic League Tournament Tuesday at All Star Lanes & Casino.

“They’re league champs and they wanted to go out that way,” Bremerton coach Dean Wagner said.

The six-team tournament, featuring the Knights, Olympic, Klahowya, North Mason, Sequim and Peninsula, provided some more tough bouts between league leaders Bremerton and Oly. In the very first game, Bremerton topped Oly 856-825 after trailing the Trojans through four frames. The third game was also tight, as Oly came out on top by a single point, 805-804. Ultimately, when all three games and four Bakers matches were finished, Bremerton emerged on top 3,277 pins to Oly’s 3,034.

“It was nice to be with Oly all day today,” Wagner said, as the teams lined up in neighboring lanes. “That kept my girls on top of their game.”

Klahowya finished third with 2,930 pins earning the final spot to districts.

Four of Bremerton’s five bowlers made the all-tournament team, those who compiled the highest averages for the day. Klahowya’s Carys Bailey led all bowlers with a 188 average, but Knight Emmy Thomas was right behind at 187, including the tourney’s high game of 227. Samantha Smith (180), Ariel Wagg (172) and Samantha Stephens (171) also made the squad along with Olympic’s Alma Levario (181) and Liza Ambrose (168).

With so many Knights bowling strong, Wagner said the team is as strong as ever.

“I stress with the girls, and they listen, that the fact is that this is a team,” he said. “You can’t have just one person carry a team. There’s always somebody stepping up. I can’t be more proud of ‘em.”

Thomas, Smith and Wagg all earned spots on the All-Olympic League First Team as well, while Stephens and Kirstie Williams took second-team honors.

While adding a district title would be nice, Wagner said the team is focused on one goal only.

“Our goal really is to just make it to state and then make our move,” he said.

Having already been to both multiple times will certainly help in that charge.

“We’ve been there,” he said. “We know what to expect. They have high expectations.”

Districts is today at 9 a.m. at Lakewood’s Bowlero Lanes.

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