In a Battle for First-Place, Hopewell HS Bowling Defeats New Castle!

The Hopewell Vikings defeated the New Castle Hurricanes 5–2 to take control of the Northwest Division heading into the holiday break. The matchup featured the No. 2-ranked Hurricanes facing the No. 3-ranked Vikings in the WPIBL, with both teams entering undefeated and competing in the same section. In total, 10 of the top 11 ranked bowlers in the section took part in this highly anticipated contest.

Game one was a close battle, with the Vikings falling just short, 921–903. Sophomore Nolan Houy led the Vikings with a career-high 234, but the team came up 18 pins shy.

The Vikings rebounded in game two with a commanding 1011–965 victory. Sophomore Max Butter rolled his season-high 246—the highest game of the match—while junior Ayden Gault added a 206.

The match was ultimately decided in game three. Junior Ayden Gault posted a 214, and senior captain Brayden Mowry followed with a 213 to secure an 893–861 win and clinch the match for Hopewell.

The victory sends the Vikings into the break with a perfect 4–0 record. Mowry led all bowlers with a 606 series, earning MVP honors in a critical sectional win.

The Lady Vikings also faced an undefeated Hurricanes team in a pivotal matchup. Entering the week, the two teams were separated by just one pin in the overall standings after three weeks of competition.

Hopewell dominated the match, sweeping New Castle 7–0 to take firm control of the Northwest Division.

Junior captain Annabeth Sembower opened the match with a high school career-best 203, leading the Lady Vikings to a 100-plus pin victory in game one. Junior Krysten Clary added her season-best 140 while anchoring the lead-off position.

Game two saw Sembower lead all scorers with a 169, while junior Eileen George contributed a 144 in a match-deciding 677–639 win.

In game three, Sembower once again topped the field with a 176, followed closely by George’s career-best 167, as the Lady Vikings closed out a 690–604 victory.

While the teams entered the match effectively tied, the Lady Vikings’ 200-pin overall margin made a decisive statement. Sembower earned MVP honors with a career-best 548 series, but the sweep was truly a total team effort in a crucial divisional matchup.

The JV Boys returned to the win column with a dominant 7–0 victory. Sophomore Jordan Jacobs led all scorers with a career-best 179 game and 519 series. He was followed by sophomore Joe Bulebush, who rolled a career-high 181 and finished with a 434 series.

The JV Vikings head into the break with a 3–1 record.