The nachos were stale. The pop was flat. And the wood floor was unpolished; not an ideal afternoon for bowling. Through thick and thin, the Forest Hills Central girls and boys bowling teams kept their three fingers in the holes of their bowling balls and never threw out the towel in desperation. Only until the last pin thudded to the ground did the FHC bowlers call it quits against an electric Byron Center team. When all was said and done, the Bulldogs from Byron defeated the boys team in a disappointing 23 to 7 loss, and the girls team lost by a heartbreaking score of 29 to 1.

“Both teams [girls and boys] are working very hard and doing a good job. We’re still looking for that first win,” described head coach Terry Metzner. 

On a positive note, the boys team won one of their two baker games with a grand total of 187. For all of the non-bowlers out there, baker games consist of five bowlers instead of the traditional solo act. Senior David Whittaker’s perspective on the boys team’s baker game performances proves light is at the end of the tunnel.

“We won one of the baker games and then lost the other, so I feel like we can use our success in those games to our advantage in upcoming matches,” said David.

Junior Joey Spaletto matched David’s bet in the middle of the table and lifted it to another level.

“Bowling is just one of those sports where the more games you play the better you will do. I wouldn’t be surprised if we win both of our baker games next week against Northview,” predicted Joey.

Predictions predictions predictions—either they help or hurt. In this case, David and Joey’s fiery hot predictions might just turn out to be the ideal remedy for a case of the gutter balls. Along with newfound confidence, sophomore Peyton Price’s whopping score of 189 must show up again next week in their highly anticipated matchup versus Northview this Wednesday at 3:30. Not only will Peyton have to show up, but so will freshman Emalea Rooke—who previously bowled a 113. 

“We should be good for our game against Northview this Wednesday because we have focused on limiting small mistakes,” concluded Metzner.