DeBellos’ love of bowling stays strong
HUNTLEY — Some six decades ago, John DeBello first tried his luck at the sport of bowling.
“I was 11-or 12-years-old when I started bowling,” John DeBello said.
The youngster’s try at bowling has turned into a family effort that continues all these years later.
Grandfather John DeBello, 71, and his wife Mary both bowl competitively. Erica DeBello is the daughter of HHS coach Eric DeBello and mom Trish. They were all present to watch Erica bowl and cheer on the Red Raiders squad against Johnsburg at Huntley’s Bowl-Hi Lanes Nov. 29.
“I’ll bowl until I can’t anymore. I dread the day when I can’t bowl anymore. I bowl at Poplar Creek and Roselle, but I personally like Roselle’s Bowlero Lanes,” John DeBello said.
John and Mary DeBello live in Bartlett but that does not stop them from becoming a regular for Huntley home matches.
“It’s great that Eric is the head coach. He helps us a lot,” John DeBello said.
“It’s great that they’re still bowling,” Eric DeBello said of his parents. “It’s fun to have them bowl. I encourage them.”
Eric DeBello is in his first year as head girls bowling coach and has high hopes for the squad. The Red Raiders downed Johnsburg for their third straight dual victory for the young season.
The DeBellos join the Tenglins, junior Austin and freshman Ashlyn and the Waters, frosh Noah, junior Prianca and assistant coach Jason, as current HHS bowling families.
Girls season outlook
The Red Raiders girls bowlers gained a spot at the IHSA Sectional last season with a third place effort at regional and would like to better that this winter, possibly make the IHSA State Tournament.
“I think we can do it this year, to get to state,” Erica DeBello said.
Erica DeBello, who had the team’s top series against the Skyhawks, makes sure teammates get to wear the turkey hat for three straight strikes.
“We have a strong core of bowlers returning from last year,” coach DeBello said. “But like I tell the girls, it’s not how you start, but how you finish – we want to be bowling in February.”
A newcomer contributing early to the success this season is Jana Boudreau. “Jana is a junior and is fitting great with our roster. I see good things to come from her,” coach DeBello said.
The girls varsity team is dominated by freshmen to juniors. Team members are: freshman Ashlyn Tenglin; sophomore Kaelyn Keegan; junior Isabella Kurash, sophomore Katie Scaletta; junior Erica DeBello; sophomore Mackenzie Miller; junior Boudreau and the senior is Tarah Wise.
The Red Raiders, 3-0, prevailed, 3,006 to 2,565 pins Nov. 29 against Johnsburg. DeBello led the way with a 606 series and a 229 high game; Waters rolled a 582 series; Scaletta, 519; Tenglin, 465 and Miller, 374.
HHS also beat Burlington Central, as Tenglin rolled a 193 high game and a 522 series to lead the Red Raiders to a 2,788 to 2,209 win Nov. 28. Boudreau had a 474 series and DeBello was next at 473.
