Carrollton girls bowlers earn ninth straight state berth

Nine times. Let that sink in — nine consecutive trips to state.

In a streak that would make Bill Belichick and Tom Brady proud, the Carrollton girls bowling team has advanced to the OHSAA Division II State Bowling Championships for the ninth straight year.

The Lady Warriors edged Warsaw River View 3,248-3,242 to claim the Division II East District title and secure another state appearance.

Carrollton trailed East Liverpool after the three individual games but posted the second-highest total in the six Baker games. River View had the top Baker score, but Carrollton’s overall advantage held.

A mix of veterans and newcomers powered the district title. Seniors Kaylee Russell and Emma Brown led with three-game series of 500 and 437, respectively. Russell, the sectional runner-up, won the individual district title. Freshmen Lillie Kruprzak (434) and Carrie Hawk (430) also contributed.

The state tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, at HP Lanes in Columbus. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Amid district competition, Carrollton also bowled regular-season matches Feb. 16 and Feb. 18 against Dover and Feb. 20 against Marlington — winning all three.

The boys defeated Dover 2,424-1,926 and 2,357-2,059, then topped Marlington 2,473-2,108. The girls beat Dover 1,920-1,432 and 2,152-1,512 before defeating Marlington 1,976-1,406.

Both teams are 16-0 overall, leading the Eastern Buckeye Conference and the Stark County High School Bowling Conference American Division.

Girls wrestling

Carrollton defeated New Philadelphia 46-41 in a dual meet.

Kristen Hawkins (100 pounds), Faith McDaniel (105), Kira McDaniel (135), Jere Palas (140), Paityn Crank (170) and Riley Alborn (190) recorded wins.

The Lady Warriors then hosted the Fourth Annual Carrollton Lady Spearhead Invitational on Feb. 21. The tournament featured 55 teams.

Austintown Fitch won the team title, while Carrollton placed 16th with four individual placers.

Alborn recorded her 100th varsity pin during the event and finished third at 190. Hawkins placed fourth at 100, Juliaunna Miller was fifth at 130 and Palas placed sixth at 140.

Carrollton will compete in the OHSAA sectional tournament Sunday, March 1, at Claymont High School.

Girls basketball

Top-seeded Carrollton defeated Warsaw River View 66-21 on Feb. 19 in a Division IV East 2 District sectional final. Statistics were not immediately available, but Kylie Ujcich set the school record for steals during the game.

Boys basketball

Carrollton closed the regular season against two teams that entered with a combined 33 wins.

The Warriors defeated Northwest 73-52 on Feb. 17 in a nonconference game, leading throughout.

Tayvian Johnson scored 21 points. Marcus Brooks recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jayven Johnson added eight points, eight rebounds and four steals. Zander Roncaglione led Northwest (14-8) with 12 points.

Carrollton then traveled to face Steubenville, ranked No. 3 in Division III. Steubenville (20-1) defeated the Warriors (15-7) 92-68. Statistics were not immediately available.