Senior Eric Kessler churned out a huge 270-256—526 series Monday as Middletown remained unbeaten and alone on top of the Greater Miami Conference by thrashing Mason 2,967-2,641 at Mason Bowl.
“Our goal is to get to state again and get anyone that’s in our way out of our way,” Kessler said. “We’ve got the chemistry we need, and we’ve all been around each other for so long. If something goes bad, we can pick each other up real quick and get over it.”
Fellow seniors Nick Deaton (234-228—462) and Michael Rinehart (227-174—401) were also very strong for the Middies, who are 11-0 overall and 6-0 in the GMC.
First-year coach Larry Cupp has an experienced, level-headed squad.
“The last couple days have been really good for us,” Cupp said. “We started off Thursday beating Oak Hills for the first time ever I think, then we won the Bearcat Classic on Friday night. And now Mason.
“We’ve talked to them about the mental game, and they’re doing very well. My philosophy is one ball, one frame, one game, one match. All they need to focus on is the ball that they’re throwing.”
The Middies forged a 203-pin advantage in the individual rounds, then dominated the Baker games as well.
“They clobbered us. They were bowling lights out, weren’t they?” Mason coach Joe Riestenberg said. “Oak Hills and Middletown are dynamite. They’re the best in the GMC. Those are the teams you’ll be looking for when they get to districts and they’re trying to get to state.”
The first three bowlers for the Comets (4-4, 2-3) weren’t bad at all, but the dropoff was considerable after Evan Haas (214-222—436), Chris McPherson (216-217—433) and Karel Encarnacion (223-201—424).
For the Middies, Kessler turned in the best two-game performance of his prep career.
Deaton started the day as the GMC scoring leader and Kessler was second. When the day was done, Kessler had moved to first (222.3) and Deaton was second (220.6).
“A good day,” Kessler said. “I got the carry. You just put it outside and watch it come back.”
“Eric’s bowling very well,” Cupp said. “He’s had two or three 279s, a 276. That’s why we make him the starter. If he’s on a roll, the guys get pumped up right from the gate.”
Chris Cupp rolled a 212 game for Middletown, and Ryan Smith had a 179. Even the Middies’ substitute scores (a pair of 174s) weren’t terrible.
Middletown’s boys team had never been to the state tournament before last season. Now a return trip seems very possible.
“This is my first year as the coach, and this is the year I wanted to be the coach,” Larry Cupp said. “I have a son who’s a sophomore on the team, and three of the seniors I’ve known since they were 8 years old.
“I saw some things last year that happened with the other coach, and I knew I could do a good job. The guys have jelled and really supported me.”
Riestenberg said Mason has potential, but needs more quality depth.
“I wasn’t worried about beating Middletown,” he said. “I was worried about trying to get the best out of our guys, and my top three did really well. I just don’t have a fourth and fifth bowler that’s consistent enough to make a run at anybody right now.
“They’re all good bowlers. It’s just a matter of consistently doing what they need to do.”
On Tuesday, the Middies will host St. Xavier at Eastern Lanes and the Comets will travel to Colerain Bowl to face La Salle.
Middie girls defeated: Middletown's girls team brought a perfect GMC record into Monday's match, but dropped a 2,529-2,376 decision to the Comets.
Makayla Rinehart, who tops the conference in scoring with a 197.7 average, paced the Middies (8-2, 5-1) with a 227-176—403 series. Olivia Harbin was next at 170-196—366.
“The girls were pretty disappointed,” Middletown coach Mike Rinehart said. “We’ve been relatively consistent, but I think they just got tired today, and their scores just started going down in the Bakers.
“I’ll talk to them before the next match and see if I can’t get their heads back in the game. You have to use more finesse with girls. You can’t be blunt and mean with them like you can a boy.”
Kelsey Mitchell powered Mason (6-1, 3-1) with a 213-236—449 series. Following her were Miriam Markvan (185-191—376), Gabriella Braxton (157-210—367) and Brianna Poirer (192-158—350).
“This is great,” Comets coach Connie Smith said. “We’re back on the top of our game. You could just see they were feeling it today. They all had that determined look on their faces.
“They work hard. They go out on their own on Sundays and practice together. They want it. They want to go to state.”
Both teams will bowl Tuesday, the Middies vs. visiting Seton at Eastern Lanes and Mason vs. McAuley at Colerain Bowl.
BOYS
Middletown 2,967, Mason 2,641
Middletown (11-0, 6-0): Eric Kessler 270-256—526, Nick Deaton 234-228-462, Michael Rinehart 227-174—401, Substitutes 174-174—348, Chris Cupp 212, Ryan Smith 179
Mason (4-4, 2-3): Evan Haas 214-222—436, Chris McPherson 216-217—433, Karel Encarnacion 223-201—424, Devon Smith 188-147—335, Substitutes 153-144—297
Baker round: Middletown 839 (206-205-247-181), Mason 716 (163-203-159-191)
GIRLS
Mason 2,529, Middletown 2,376
Middletown (8-2, 5-1): Makayla Rinehart 227-176—403, Olivia Harbin 170-196—366, Mara Steiner 137-165—302, Substitutes 136-147—283, Marissa Howard 177, Abbie Cochran 160
Mason (6-1, 3-1): Kelsey Mitchell 213-236—449, Miriam Markvan 185-191—376, Gabriella Braxton 157-210—367, Brianna Poirer 192-158—350, Morgan Mottashed 160-153—313
Baker round: Middletown 685 (225-136-163-161), Mason 674 (167-160-193-154)
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