Boys bowling: Crown Point returns to state finals

Updated: February 11, 2012 11:37PM

FORT WAYNE — When Indiana high school bowling was started in 2000, Crown Point was the first boys team state champion.

The Bulldogs will have the opportunity to add a second state title to its trophy case next weekend in Lafayette after winning the Fort Wayne Semistate on Saturday.

It was Crown Point’s first semistate crown as it defeated Rochester 347-274 in the final. It will be the Bulldogs’ first trip to the state finals since winning in 2000.

In the singles event, Hobart’s Bobby Eberle and Jerry James both qualified for their first state finals — Eberle won the title while James was sixth.

“They were consistent today,” CP coach Dwayne Locher said. “When they really needed something, they dug down in and did it.”

Jordan Locher couldn’t say enough about the team’s performance.

“We were all on it today,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my whole life because I never expected to get this far.”

Matt Locher compared the experience to a personal highlight.

“Apart from my 300 game, I’ve never had a more memorable experience in my bowing career,” he said.

The Bulldogs defeated Elkhart Central 381-350 in the semifinal on the strength of a 185 in the second game. In the first-round match, Lake Central fell short against Elkhart 403-391 — winning the first game 237-172 and dropping the second 231-154. The Indians shot a 199 in the last Baker game to sneak past Lake Station for the last state qualifying spot by just six pins.

LC assistant coach Rick Young summed up the feeling when hearing the team had qualified after being in sixth place and 42 pins behind heading into the final Baker game.

“I think everybody was shocked — coaches, players and most of the parents,” Young said. “One of our kids had a shirt on yesterday that said “Not dead yet.”

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