Solid start propels HHS girls bowling hopes

HUNTLEY – Erica DeBello enjoyed her early start in the sport of bowling.

“I started when I was four,” she said. And that was using regulation lanes, no bumpers.

The DeBellos have three generations of bowlers so maybe that sophomore Erica DeBello is one of the talented class members is expected. Her older brother AJ was a member of Huntley’s boys state qualifying team last season. Eric and Trish, Mom, dad, and DeBello’s grandparents, John and Mary, also bowl.

The Red Raiders are off to a good start in girls bowling with a championship Dec. 3 at the Dundee-Crown tournament. “It means a lot, our team is all together,” DeBello said.

DeBello worked hard in preparing for her varsity season.

“I bowled three days a week,” she said. I’ve been working on picking up splits and spares and my consistency; I’d like to have a 700 series and my best is 712,” DeBello said.

Head coach Asheley Boudreau said DeBello has started well in scoring and leadership.

“It’s her consistency and she’s a great teammate who brings a lot of energy,” Boudreau said. “She truly cares about all of her teammates.”

DeBello led the Red Raiders at a home dual against Dundee-Crown Dec. 6 at Bowl-Hi Lanes  as the team won, 2,301 – 1,904  with a 642  series. Taylor Dulson rolled a 460 series while Prianca Waters contributed 437; Katie Scaletta 415 and Grace Lehman, 355.

The Red Raiders also beat Geneva at Bowl-Hi last week, 2,424 to 1,880.

The Red Raiders would like to progress to be an area force this winter. “I would love for us to make sectional,” DeBello said of team goals.

Season outlook

With the direction of new head coach Asheley Bourdeau, the Huntley girls bowling program has high hopes for the 2022-23 season.

The Red Raiders varsity squad won its red division at the Dundee-Crown red, white and blue meet Dec. 3. The Huntley varsity contingent tallied 1,857 pins to runners-up Grayslake North’s 1,1818 pins in the six-team division. The junior varsity squad won second place, with 1,395 pins.  The Huntley squad took home the overall trophy.

HHS’s bowlers to gain individual recognitions for top in series were earned by DeBello, set the pace as she had a  544 series; Scaletta, 475; Jessica Roberts, 413; and Grace Lehman, 354. Huntley’s other scores included contributions by: Taylor Dulson, 443 series; Prianca Waters, 395 in the red division and Kimber Schmid’s 319 and Mackenzie Miller’s 309 in the white division.

Coach Boudreau is happy with the team’s start.

“Our goals are to work on positivity, sportsmanship and reaction,” Boudreau said. “HHS held a bowling camp to keep the excitement going.”

Boudreau is ready to pass along her enthusiasm as a bowler.

“This is my first year as a bowling coach,” she said. “I have been bowling for 32 years from youth bowling to competitive leagues. I truly enjoy sharing my years of experience.”

Boudreau is assisted by Jason Waters, who also works with the boys team.