James Clemens bowlers roll to third and fourth place finishes in State Tournament

Izzy Cloud of James Clemens earned All-State honors at the AHSAA Bowling State Tournament by finishing fourth in the Class 7A individual competition. Photo by Kristin Hartland

The boys team from James Clemens placed fourth at the AHSAA Bowling State Tournament in Mobile. Photo by Kristin Hartland

MOBILE – Representing all of the schools in the immediate area of Madison, the James Clemens High bowling team made its way to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Bowl State Tournament for the chance to bring home the “Blue Map,” signifying a State Championship.

Both the girls and boys squads advanced to the State Tournament after Regionals. At the State Tournament, the Lady Jets rolled to a third place finish while the boys squad took fourth place at the action held at Mobile’s Bowlero Bowling Center.

“Each team member, boys and girls, played a critical role in their success whether it was bowling, cheering, encouraging or engaging in a ‘golf clap’ each time the boys got a strike,” said Kristin Hartland head coach of James Clemens.

In individual play on the first day of the two-day event, freshman Izzy Cloud rolled games of 225 and 169 for a 394 total score putting her in fourth place and named among the Class 7A All-State Team. Boys from James Clemens did not make the All-State list, but did show some good promise. Senior Zachary Holt finished No. 19 with scores of 225,165-390, Joshua Holt, also a senior, rolled 198, 191- 389 for a No. 20 finish, junior and the team’s leading bowler all season long, Parker von Oven rolled game scores of 206, 181-387 to finish at No. 21 and Anthony Holland took No. 23 after scoring 202, 170- 372.

The team bowling segments are just as exciting as the Lady Jets came up through the consolation bracket to their third place finish. Opening round saw James Clemens roll its highest score of the season to defeat Stanhope Elmore 1309-1278 before falling to eventual Class 7A State Champion Thompson 1458-1191. Moving to consolation battles, the Lady Jets defeated Mary Montgomery 12301105 and Southside 1211-1179 before doing true battle for a chance to advance to the finals by facing Hoover. In the matchup, Hoover defeated James Clemens 13031176 giving the Lady Jets third place. Hartland said of her girls, “Beyond the scores, what stood out most was their unity, singing songs, cheering each other on and supporting one another no matter the outcome. We could not be prouder of how they came together as one team.”

The boys’ fourth place finish came by way of going 2-2 in consolation bracket matches as they showcased heart and perseverance throughout the tournament. To open the bracket play, the Jets fell to Stanhope Elmore 1633-1568 and then bounced back with two victories. The Jets defeated Auburn in a close match 1437-1432 and a second close battle against Thompson, last year’s state runner-up, before coming away with a 9-pin, 1614-1605 victory. In that match, was nothing short of dramatic. After traditional games and three Baker games ended in a tie, the match went to a ninth and tenth frame roll-off. In that extra play, James Clemens left a ten pin standing, thus posting a score of 28, which tied Thompson’s effort throwing the match into a second roll off. Again standing on the lanes for a chance for victory, senior Jets von Oven and Joshua Holt needed three pins as they delivered under pressure and secured the victory as the entire bowling alley erupted in cheers after being mesmerized by the incredible two-team match. For a third place finish, James Clemens faced Tuscaloosa County and fell in a hard-fought matchup 14751437.

“It was an absolutely incredible two days of bowling, and it has been a true pleasure to watch the countless hours of hard work and dedication in the bowling alley pay off on the state stage as the Jets shined in every aspect of the game including sportsmanship when other teams did not. I am just so very proud of them,” said Hartland.