Hempfield bowlers top Butler for WPIBL boys team title

By: Tribune-Review
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | 12:01 AM

The Hempfield boys bowling team has endured a series of near misses since its most recent WPIBL team championship in 2016.

On Wednesday, the Spartans rarely missed.

Hempfield defeated Butler, 2-1, in the best-of-three championship match at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes to hoist the title for the first time in six years. The Spartans defeated Greensburg Salem, 2-1, in the semifinals.

Since winning the title in 2016, the Spartans finished second in 2017, fourth in 2018, second in 2020 and third in 2021.

In the qualifying round, Hempfield was led by Kolbe Roscoe (703 series), Dom Vallano (675), Ryan Schuck (639), Vincent Mincucci (586), as well as Blake Naeger and Clavin Funnell, who combined for 512.

Butler led the way in qualifying with a 3,137 score. Hempfield was right behind at 3,115, and Greensburg Salem was third.

The top three teams advanced to the step-ladder finals with a Baker format.

Franklin Regional was fourth and Latrobe fifth in qualifying. Montour, North Allegheny, Apollo-Ridge, Thomas Jefferson and Plum rounded out the top 10. Armstrong, Hopewell, Shaler, Serra Catholic, Woodland Hills and Moon also advanced to the regional tournament.

Thomas Jefferson’s Nick Johnson (737 series), Butler’s Rocco Rice (710) and Eric Devore (680), Hempfield’s Roscoe (703) and Latrobe’s Alex Brubaker (678) were named to the all-tournament team.

The Western Pennsylvania Regional boys team championships are scheduled for March 5 at the North Versailles Bowling Center.

The WPIBL girls team championships are set for Thursday in North Versailles.

Tags: Butler, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield