Panthers Charged Against the Bisons to Create a Senior Night Win!

Bonney Lake Panthers girls bowling team. Photo credit: River Martinez.

Written by Junior Freelance Writer River Martinez.

After a series of losses, the Bonney Lake Panthers looked to redeem themselves at Tuesday night’s Senior Night match as the Panthers sat 6th in the SPSL League. Bethel Bisons similarly sought to win a key game before leagues as they sit last in the SPSL. Both teams geared up to prove themselves before the postseason, as the Bisons and Panthers craved a decisive win.

Strickling Cannot Stop Striking

Brieanna Huynh staring down her mark on her strike ball. Photo credit: River Martinez.

Brieanna Huynh’s (166) spare on the first ball for the Panthers marked a sea of spares, leaving only two pins standing across the team in the first frame. It was clear that the Panthers desperately wanted to keep steam in order to pull ahead of the Bethel Bisons and create an early win. However, the Bisons didn't let up so easily as an early double (two strikes in a row) threatened to maximize their pinfall. Aubrey Strickling (225) and Jayden Thayer (152) were not easily intimidated, achieving the first and second strikes for Bonney Lake in the third frame. The Bisons seemed to hit a rut, as they created splits, threw gutterballs, and missed pick-ups. Strickling shone in the first game, as she displayed 3 spares and 2 strikes into the sixth frame, being a backbone for the Panther pinfall numbers. Thayer, Strickling, and Violent Vincent (109) used Strickling’s momentum to create a team turkey in the 5th frame, as cheers of hope resonated down the lanes.

The Bisons kept a tight trail on the Panthers, as they were only down by 22 pins at the end of the 5th frame. Huynh started the 6th frame out by continuing the team turkey into a four in a row (four strikes back-to-back). Strickling achieved a turkey in the 7th frame, as well as Huynh completing a double.

Striking kept dealing blow after blow to the Bisons, leaving only one pin up the entirety of the game, in the last throw of the tenth frame. Additionally, the 10th frame had notable performances from the three powerhouses that emerged in the first game, Huynh, Thayer and Strickling. But the Bison’s overall team skill was able to keep them consistently in the race, making their deficit only 38 pins entering the second game.

Aubrey Strickling staring down the lane, watching her strike ball find the pocket. Photo credit: River Martinez.

Ups and Downs - Giving and Receding Pinfall

Huynh (110) Strickling (181) and Thayer (196) striked the first frame out, showing the panther spirit to be ruthless against Bethel. The Bisons' steady pace picked up key pins, securing crucial spares and three strikes, where the Panthers seemed to stumble over their pick up balls. This consistent rhythm the Bisons capitalized on, creating a 10 pin lead into the 6th frame. The Panthers knew they needed to be persistent to combat Bethel's comeback attempt, and to keep their lead.

Jayden Thayer heard the call, as she pushed forward with her unwavering accurate pick up balls and 2 strikes, as she charged ahead picking up speed as pin after pin fell, and a double emerged in the 7th frame. The Panthers were full steam ahead, as the Bison's key moment to catch up was failed and gone, putting the Panthers barely ahead in pinfall entering the 8th frame, merely by 6 pins.

Senior Brooke Musial seeking to boost the Panther’s pinfall on her strike ball. Photo credit: River Martinez.

Brooke Musial (155) stepped up and secured two strikes on the board, and Thayer completed her turkey in frame 8 along with Strickling's double. These performances distanced Bonney Lake from Bethel, now up 27 pins entering the last frame. Strickling finished the 10th frame with a double, and Thayer with a spare, which now cemented a 21 pin gap in Game two, and an overall lead of 59 entering the baker rounds.

Bakers-Cook or be Cooked

The game was tight, as a few strikes from the Bisons, and a few missed pick ups from the Panthers, would mean Bonney Lake could lose their lead and then consequently the match. The tensions were high, as the Panthers geared up for a make or break moment in the bakers, knowing they must secure their spot in leagues with this pinfall in the bakers.

Baker one started out rough, a hush in the air, as the Panthers could not pick up their spares, and the Bisons striked frame one. Thayer's 5th frame strike lifted hopes and gave the opportunity to increase the pinfall. Strickling provided a 9th frame spare and Thayer displayed a 10th frame strike ending Baker number one. Though the Panthers first baker had ups and downs, so did the Bisons, as their strike was futile against a sea of open frames and missed attempts, Bethel (119) falling by 10 pins to Bonney Lake (129). Spirits were lifted as just one Baker stood in the way of the Panthers, knowing they must continue to knock pins down in order to have the Bisons fail, so that the Panthers could succeed. The Panthers closed out the gamer in Baker 2, as Thayer and Strickling set up the pinfall in their pivotal strikes. The Bisons put up a fight, however, was unmatched against the Panthers, as they fell again in baker 2, ensuring Panther victory, as final scores rested at 109-124.

Postseason Hopes

As the season comes to an end for most teams, the Panthers are determined to keep theirs going, as they look ahead to Leagues on the 21st at Bowlero Lanes. With this win against Bethel, the Panthers sealed their 6th place in Leagues, securing crucial points in the tournament. Bonney Lake is ready and determined as they strive to inch closer and closer back to Districts.