Boys bowling preview

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:06PM

Lockport's Kyle Anderson has a chance to make history, but what he really wants is redemption for his team.

Anderson, a senior and the 2009-10 boys state bowling champion, is primed to make a run at becoming the first two-time champion since boys bowling became an IHSA-sanctioned sport in 2002.

After a Porters season filled with high hopes ended at sectionals in January, though, his focus in on leading his team - the 2008-09 state runner-up - back to the state tournament.

"What I'd really love is to see the team get back down to (O'Fallon)," Anderson said. "As a senior, that's the way I want to wrap things up."

That desire for more team success has helped Anderson avoid complacency during the offseason. While bowling in tournaments throughout the Midwest during the summer, he's worked on adding some variety to his game.

"I've worked a lot on hitting a lot of different spots more accurately," he said. "Instead of just playing the same line all the time, if it's not working I want to be able move in or out a little bit.

"I've also been throwing a lot of different balls. My shots are consistently heavy and I want to have other balls to go to when the lanes dry out a bunch."

Anderson, who averaged 233 at the state tournament, knows he has to improve because he can already feel his rivals gunning for him.

"There are a lot of eyes watching you whenever you bowl," he said. "That's the main thing that's changed as the state champion. There's pressure, but you have to just block all that out and focus on your shot."

In a senior-dominated sport, Anderson is just the third bowler to have a shot at going back to back.

Brother Rice's Bryan Thompson had three chances for a second title after winning the 2005-06 championship as a freshman, but settled for two more top-10 finishes.

Lockport coach Jeff Wyatt thinks Anderson is equipped to handle the extra scrutiny.

"If it was any of my other kids I'd worry about that," Wyatt said. "I don't look for that to be an issue with Kyle, though. He's traveled all over the United States bowling and he's put himself in a lot of pressure situations and came through."

Wyatt will look for Anderson to serve as a role model for the rest of the Porters team, which includes juniors John Isit and Justin Vandenburg as returning starters from last season. Sophomores Shane Matejcak and David Wysocki also will be counted on.

"The young kids look up to Kyle," Wyatt said. "They see what hard work can do from watching him. I look for big things out of our lineup. John's been playing a lot and working on his game and we're looking for the other kids to step up."

The Porters fell victim to the state's toughest sectional last season. They finished third, one spot shy of qualifying for state. The teams that advanced - Plainfield South and Oswego - finished first and third, respectively, in the state.

Wyatt expects to take on another loaded sectional.

"It's going to very tough," he said, "but I don't see any reason why we can't get to the state championship. This is one of three teams in the nine years I've coached that has had a good chance of winning."

Anderson, meanwhile, is trying to keep things simple.

"There's a tough road ahead and we have to take everything in stride," he said. "I've got to just take it one shot and one game at a time.

"It would be amazing to defend my title."

Other teams to watch

Brother Rice: The Crusaders struggled at last season's state tournament, finishing 23rd, but six underclassmen gained experience on the big stage. Sophomore Chris Roti, who finished 54th in the state last year, leads the way. Seniors Ryan Messina and Kyle Singer are other returning starters.

Andrew: The two-time state champion Thunderbolts lose Brent McAvoy and James Blount from last year's team, which finished sixth, the best of any Southland squad. Brett Isaacson closed last season strong, finishing 15th in the state. He leads a strong senior class that also includes John Lynch and Alex King.

T.F. South: In just their second season competing at the state level, the Rebels made a surprising run to the state tournament in 2009-10. Jake Calomino returns after finishing 48th in the state as a junior. Sophomore Anthony Pena also played a big role last season.

Morgan Park: The perennial Public League power made another appearance in the state tournament last season, finishing 17th. The Mustangs return their No. 2 bowler from that team in senior Kerry Epps. Milton Marshall, a junior, also is expected to return.

Mount Carmel: Led by four underclassmen - Joey Miller, Ted Holsapple, Dylan Norris and Ryan Hernandez - the Caravan fell just short of qualifying for last year's state tournament. Miller qualified as an individual as a freshman.

Other individuals to watch

Rick Strache, junior, Richards: He finished third at sectionals and 51st in the state as a sophomore, averaging 198 at the state tournament.

Joey Kopera, junior, Sandburg: He was one of the top bowlers in the SouthWest Suburban Blue last year and finished one spot shy of qualifying for the state tournament.

Tom Kuba, senior, Reavis: A state qualifier as a sophomore, Kuba's expected to become the Rams leader after the graduation of his brother, Matt.

Ryan Campin, sophomore, Oak Lawn: One of the area's top freshmen last year, he's the Spartans anchor and a rising star.

Cody Vogler, senior, Lincoln-Way West: A four-year varsity bowler at Lincoln-Way Central and West, he led the Warriors to the SouthWest Suburban Red regular-season crown last season.

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