DeBello keeps growing in bowling skills; Scaletta neared perfection
HUNTLEY — Huntley junior bowler Erica DeBello has continued to increase her bowling skills this season.
DeBello rolled a 680 series against Burlington Central while the Huntley girls bowling team continues to chalk up Kishwaukee River Conference-Fox Valley Conference wins. DeBello also had a 602 series in a win over Jacobs.
The Red Raiders beat both Burlington Central and Jacobs for a 10-1 record in duals as the regular season winds down.
Meanwhile, sophomore Katie Scaletta achieved a near perfect game score of 298 in a recent tournament.
Coach Eric DeBello, Erica’s dad, noted Erica DeBello’s progress in technical skills.
“It was good to see Erica DeBello roll the 680,” coach DeBello said.
“She has been working hard on her release. She is letting the game come to her and not forcing the ball. Erica has also improved her mental game. She is trying hard to work one shot at a time and not letting missed spares bother her.”
He added, “she is very serious and expects to make every shot. Sometimes that gets in the way of her success. You have to have a short memory and let things go and get the next one. It’s been great to see her communicate and help her teammates this season. The team atmosphere has been electric at times this season.”
Erica DeBello, a junior, answered team leader questions. She said bowling in college is a top career goal.
What are your goals this season?
Erica DeBello: “I would like to bowl a new high series and high game along with consistent spare shooting and ball release. Hopefully advance further in the end of the season.”
What are your team’s strengths and how do you assist the younger bowlers?
Erica DeBello: “Some of our strengths is that we pick each other up when we are down. We talk to each other and try to help each other out and support each other.”
What is your bowling routine?
Erica DeBello: “Always cheering on my teammates, pick up and wipe my ball, check my slide foot as I get on the approach, sometimes swing the ball before starting my approach and take a deep breath and go.”
Scaletta close to 300
Scaletta neared a perfect 300 game while two bowlers, freshman Ashlyn Tenglin and sophomore Mackenzie Miller notched new series bests in recent matches.
Scaletta achieved a 298 game during a tournament hosted by Grayslake North, where she finished third overall and the team was second.
“Scaletta has been great for us,” DeBello said. “She is another young bowler who will only get better. She is a strong and consistent player for us.”
In a 3,302 to 1,901 dual match against Jacobs, Tenglin had a season high 615 series and a high game of 234 and Miller contributed a season best 561 with a high game of 227. Also for the Red Raiders, Erica DeBello had a 602 series; Scaletta rolled a 559; Prianca Waters had a 521 and Jana Boudreau a 444.
“Both Tenglin and Miller have improved a lot. They are only going to get better. “We looked good against Jacobs,” DeBello said “The next two weeks are huge for us and we want to roll into the post-season confident.”
The Red Raiders will compete in the first KRC-FVC girls bowling tournament on Jan. 26 at Four Seasons Bowl in Sycamore.
Huntley’s IHSA regional assignment is at Oswego’s Parkside Lanes on Feb. 3. Qualifiers move on to the Sycamore sectional Feb. 10 at Mardis Gras Lanes in Sycamore.
