There was a fleeting moment early in Sunday’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division I tournament at the OnCenter where the East Syracuse Minoa girls bowling team could afford a dream of finishing on top.
Through the opening game, the Spartans stood in third place, just 60 pins out of the lead. Yet ESM could not improve upon that position and settled for a fifth-place finish.
They were all competing on the brand-new 48-lane facility at the OnCenter, which debuted for the state tournament and will stay in place for the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships from March 24 to June 7.
ESM opened with an 823 in the first game as Middle Country, from Long Island, went to the lead with 883. Orchard Park was second with 833, just 10 pins ahead of the Spartans.
After a 743 in the second game, ESM had its best showing in the third game, as Haley Youker, shooting a 236, and America Carhart, with a 231, helped produce a team total of 908 that sent the Spartans to the break with a 2,474 aggregate, just 17 pins behind Webster Thomas in third place.
During the fourth and fifth games, ESM would struggle, with totals of 736 and 696, but then would rebound with one more strong effort in the sixth and final game, improving to an 800.
Finishing at 4,706, ESM trailed fourth-place Mohonasen by 32 pins. Middle Country led from wire to wire and, with 5,332, claimed the state title by 175 pins over Orchard Park (5,157) as Webster Thomas was third with 4,804.
Youker was fifth among individuals in the state tournament, her 236 and 207 the best games in the morning session on the way to a 1,122 aggregate. Monhonasen’s Liz Ross was first with 1,180, just 58 pins ahead of Youker.
Carhart’s 231 propelled her to ninth place in those same standings with 1,037. Kathleen Bayly was 25th (845) as Lizzy D’Agostino,had a 769 for five games and Stephanie Malson shot a 587 for four games. Rachel Deyett and Emily Petrowski also bowled.
Elsewhere in state team tournaments, Fulton finished fourth on the boys Division I side with 5,367 as North Rockland won with 5,855. Little Falls was fifth in the boys Division II event with 4,682, while Camden was sixth in girls Division II with 4,461.
