Heath inches past Northridge for Licking County League bowling title

On Feb 2, 2023

UTICA — Oliver Walton’s emotions were stirred when Bryce Holmes paid him a compliment Wednesday. The Heath boys bowling team needed a freshman, a senior and everyone in between to get back on top in the Licking County League.

Holmes’ three consecutive strikes on the 10th frame on the second Baker game clinched Heath’s astoundingly narrow victory, 2,372-2,364, against host Northridge at Redskin Lanes. The Bulldogs claimed the outright title, the program’s fifth championship in six seasons, and denied the Vikings at least a share.

“(Josh Dover) has really stepped up from where he started. (Payton Love) has been good all the way through,” Holmes said. “(Reese Henderson) has been picking up good spares. (Walton) is filling the shoes of his brother.”

An experienced group of Bulldogs, which included Walton’s older brother Ethan, reached the Division II state semifinals in 2020 during Holmes’ freshman season and returned to state the next year. After Holmes won the individual district championship last winter, a new litter of Bulldogs could help Holmes reach the season’s final weekend one more time.

“To me, (being a freshman), it’s hard, so it’s a lot of pressure,” Oliver Walton said. “My brother used to bowl for Heath, and it was really nice to hear Bryce say I was filling his shoes.”

Wednesday’s showdown between the LCL’s top teams lived up to the billing. Both teams recorded their season-best scores by more than 100 pins.

Logan Hupp’s impressive 280 helped Northridge to a lead after Game 1, and Heath narrowed the margin to just five pins after Game 2. The teams then split both Baker games.

“I usually do better under pressure. I had the support of my team and my family and my girlfriend here today, so that helped a lot,” said Hupp, who finished his first game with a flourish. “Usually I do pretty good in the 10th frame. The second game it kind of fell apart, but overall, it was a good series.”

Northridge rebounded from a 153 in its first Baker to roll a 191. The players and fans were reacting with every shot.

The Vikings had an opportunity to vault back past the Bulldogs. Holmes, however, was Heath’s ace in the hole, delivering in the anchor spot.

“I like pressure,” said Holmes, who picked up a split late in his second game. “When we work as a team and all stick together and not get down on ourselves, that’s how we really win.”

Hupp’s 280 was joined by Peyton Wheeler’s 236 and Brody White’s 232 as Northridge delivered an 1,108 first game. Heath, however, was within shouting distance as four players eclipsed 200 — Holmes 245, Love 232, Dover 210 and Walton 203. Holmes’ 230, Walton’s 204 and Love’s 203 in Game 2 tightened up the match.

Hupp added a 190 in his second game for 470 series, trailing Holmes 475. Wheeler added a 419 series, White 407 and Grady Cupp 372 after games of 180 and 192.

“Moving to Utica from Park Lanes was a big improvement because we have had more practice and we added some kids who are pretty good bowlers,” Cupp said. “Me and Logan have just clicked this year and bowled very well.

“There was a little bit of pressure,” he added. “It sucks we lost by eight, but it was a good run. … Every frame matters because one made spare there, and we win.”

Henderson, who Walton noted has “skyrocketed,” let out a joyous yell following his strike to open the first Baker. In a day every pin truly counted, every successful shot was a reason to rejoice.