T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY HARRISON CENTRAL junior Aleyna Runevitch bowls during the Buckeye 8 Athletic League championship tournament held Monday at St. Clair Lanes. Runevitch won the individual title.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Harrison Central’s girls and East Liverpool’s boys left St. Clair Lanes Monday afternoon as kingpins of the Buckeye 8 for the sport of bowling.

The Huskies rallied from 48 pins down in the final ‘Baker Game’ to defeat the Potters for their second consecutive league title.

The Potter boys, meanwhile, were 87 pins better than runner-up Union Local to capture their first league title in bowling since 2018.

GIRLS

The Huskies came together when it mattered the most. With East Liverpool seemingly on its way to sweeping the titles, Harrison Central reeled off a 201 in the final Baker Game, which was 54 pins better than East Liverpool.

“The girls really dug down deep and got the job done,” Harrison Central head coach Bobbi Parkinson said. “I am really proud of the kids. That was the best baker game they’ve bowled, probably all season. They just never gave up on themselves.”

The Huskies entered the ‘Baker Games looking up at 2183-2136 deficit. They gained two pins in the opening baker and seven in the second, but lost 10 in the third before rolling an impressive 201, which was the best baker game of the entire day.

The Huskies produced the tournament’s individual winner, too. Junior Aleyna Runevitch — a returning state qualifier — rolled a 557 to win the individual title by 84 pins over East Liverpool’s Delaney Riggle to successfully defend her title.

“I believe the girls can use this to become a good tournament team down the road for the sectional,” Parkinson said. “This gives them a good outlook on the season.”

Joining Runevitch were All-League performer Tory Thompson, who finished fifth with a 452, sophomore Cami Besch (415), sophomore Lauren Best (369), sophomore Karla Thompson and freshman Alexis Lischich.

The top six overall earn a spot on the All-League team. Joining Runevitch, Riggle and Thompson were Beaver Local’s Karlee Furman (468), Union Local’s Emma Rowan (467) and Union Local’s Alexis Stewart (452).

BOYS

The East Liverpool boys got back into the Buckeye 8 winner’s circle thanks to strong second and third individual games as well as a solid round in the baker games.

The Potters were fueled by individual champion Nathan Kelly. The sophomore turned in a 657 series.

Junior Paxton Grimes finished fifth overall to earn All-League. He posted a 620 and had the high individual game with a 247.

Senior Derek Klein (592), sophomore Gavin Maze (564) and senior Anthony DeMarco (399) rounded out the scorers for the Potters.

Union Local, which finished second overall with 3595, had three players earn All-League. Seniors Bryan Neidert (645), Nathan Brown (637) and Chad Barbe (634) were very impressive.

The final All-League spot went to Beaver Local’s Arik Moore, who posted a 610.