New Boston Huron girls clinch Huron League title, boys get a share
MONROE – Monday was a big night on the lanes for New Boston Huron.
The girls clinched the Huron League bowling championship while the boys wrapped up at least a share during a league crown at Monroe Sport Center.
“The girls have a chance to so something they have never done in their history – that’s to go undefeated in the league,” said Huron boys coach Larry Collins.
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The team has made it through the regular season without a loss. A win during the position round at Station 300 in Saline Wednesday would cap a perfect 15-0 run through the league.
“My wife (Nancy) took over the girls this year,” Collins said. “Give her credit for the program. She ran our JV team for the last six years. She’s really got them ready for varsity before I ever got my hands on them.”
Collins said senior leadership from McKenzie McCluskey, Veronica Richardson and Maria Williams has been the key for the girls team.
Junior Olivia Demick has become one of the top bowlers in the league. She rolled what is believed to be a league record with a 279 last week.
“We’ve had a couple of close matches for the girls,” Collins said. “Dundee really gave us a scare a couple of weeks ago and Milan gave us a really good battle.”
The Chiefs have been equal to every challenge.
“The girls work so hard,” Collins said. “It doesn’t come as easy for them as the boys, but they have put up some monster numbers. One week they beat every boys team in the league except ours. They take a lot of pride in it.”
The girls team beat Flat Rock 28-2 Monday as Demick shot 232 and Veronica Richardson added a 180. Diane Percha won two match points for Flat Rock.
The Huron boys take pride in consistent success.
They now own a share of their ninth straight Huron League crown.
“Airport beat us in Week 3 or 4 and that really motivated the boys,” Collins said. “That’s the first time we’ve lost (in the league) in like six and a half years.”
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In the long run, that loss might have been the best thing that could have happened to the Chiefs.
“Like half of our team has siblings or cousins who bowled for us,” Collins said. “They really gave them a lot of grief about being the first team to lose. Our season really took off after that loss. We’ve won four out of five tournaments since them.”
It was fitting that Nick Suemnick led Huron to a 24-6 win over Flat Rock Monday with games of 234 and 208 for a 442 series. He has transformed his game since switching to a two-hand delivery.
“Nick struggled as a freshman and sophomore to average 170 to 180,” Collins said. “Now he is leading the league with a 216 average and it probably went up today.”
Suemnick was willing to make the changes necessary to improve his game.
“We went to a clinic and the guy who was teaching to bowl with two hands said it would be perfect for Nick,” Collins said. “His dad fought me tooth and nail about it. I said, ‘Let him try it for a little bit. If it doesn’t work out, he can go change back.’ Now, he’s one of the best bowlers Downriver.”
Nathan Devita added a 216 Monday and freshman Maverick Bazzy won both of his match points. Isaac Arredondo shot 197 to lead Flat Rock.
Huron stands at 13-1 heading into Wednesday’s position round.
“There young men have worked really, really hard to get where they are,” Collins said.
A look at Wednesday’s other matches follows.
GIRLS
Milan 26, Airport 4: Milan tied the Jets for second place in the league as Maggie Smith shot 189 and Gabby Dryden 182. Madison Nichols hit a 179 game and Mariah Hamel won two match points for Airport.
SMCC 17.5, Riverview 12.5: Isabella Grippi Amorose led St. Mary Catholic Central in scoring while Katie Blackmore, Chloe Orris Braelyn Runyon and Abagale Johnson each won match points.
Dundee 29, Jefferson 1: Abigale DeBryne rolled a 182 game and Brooklyn Gulidi and Brook Hester each won two match points for Dundee. Grace Lyon won the lone match point for Jefferson.
BOYS
Milan 22, Airport 8: Milan jumped out to a 10-0 lead after sweeping the Baker portion, but Airport fought back within 13-6 behind Colin Peterson's 247. Game Two was not decided until Milan's fifth bowler Max Jenness struck in his first shot in the 10th frame. Clark Freese shot 234 and won two match points for Milan while Jennes finished with 218 and Tyler Marovino won both of his match points. Brayden Siders (198) and Dylan Aikey (190) led Airport.
Dundee 18, Jefferson 12: Jay Hickey had the high score for Dundee with a 188 and Joe Cole won two match points. Jefferson was led by Isiah Knott (192-182) while Daren King and Joey Prost each won two match points.
Riverview 21, SMCC 9: Travis Rios led St. Mary Catholic Central in scoring while Zeke Shafer and Jackson Cousino each won match points.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: High School Bowling: New Boston Huron teams on top of league
