Duo looks to get it done again

It wasn't supposed to go this way. The girls were a little too young, a bit too inexperienced. Besides, the boys are two years removed from a state championship and figured to go a lot further.

Yet, the Nature Coast Lady Sharks are headed to the FHSAA Finals that runs Tuesday and Wednesday at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando.

This on the heels of last Tuesday's District 4 Tournament at Liberty Lanes in Largo, where they claimed their first district championship in three seasons of inexistence.

"That was great," said Terry Schlicker, the assistant coach who oversees the girls squad. "I went home and I collapsed. I think it was harder on me than anybody else. Every time the ball hit the lane I wanted to go out and guide it."

The two-day competition begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday with a first round featuring four games of American tenpin bowling.

The top 16 teams advance to a double-elimination bracket, under a best-of-5 Baker format. Also, the top 16 individuals will move on to a single-elimination best-of-3 match-play round, with a consolation bracket.

Nature Coast will be represented by its girls and senior Connor Garvey from the boys team, which finished a surprising third at districts to miss out on a state berth.

That's significant because the Sharks had gone 2-for-2 at districts, finishing first in 2006 and 2007 before the program went on hiatus in 2008.

The boys appeared primed to add to their trophy case after blowing away the field in the American tenpin portion of districts, but got upset in Baker play.

Only district champs and runners-up move on. Garvey still qualified thanks to the third highest series (682) out of those whose team didn't advance.

As for the girls, they are making their second state appearance. The Lady Sharks came in third in 2007, though no starters remain from that group.

This year's crew, 4-0 in the regular season, has leaned heavily on freshman Nikki Williams and junior Melissa Martin, who finished 1-2 in the district tournament and pace the team in average.

"They're very good bowlers," Nature Coast Head Coach Carrie Piechowicz said. "They're both very dedicated to what they're doing. Both have been doing it for years."

Growing up in a bowling alley

Williams came into districts second to Martin in average at 170 across 13 games, a mark consistent with her typical league performance.

But she lapped the field last Tuesday, posting a 653 series in the opening round. Martin finished second with a 540. Williams not only led everyone in District 4, but had the highest reported series in the state.

"We just concentrated and kept our game focused and it paid off," said the 14-year-old Williams. "I liked it. It was pretty dry and I like that. I started on my regular spot and could hook it 10 boards.

"It's amazing. It feels so great to win a tournament like that. I haven't done that in a while."

Her success on the lanes should surprise no one. As the daughter of Kevin's Pro Shop owner Kevin Williams, she essentially grew up in a bowling alley.

She has bowled since the age of 2, and her father noted that "she watched from her crib at Mariner (Lanes)."

"He can help me out with my ball, to know where to play on the lanes," Williams said of her dad. "He can help me whenever I need help."

At districts, though, the elder Williams didn't think she needed much assistance.

"It's the best I've ever seen her bowl," Kevin Williams said. "Obviously I'm very proud. I can tell you watching them bowl the Baker system, it made me more nervous.

"But it was good. It was a good feeling to watch her."

The anchor

Martin doesn't have quite that kind of pedigree, but doesn't lack for ability. Prior to Williams' incredible district performance, Martin had the highest average on the team at 175.

She also bowls in the anchor slot, meaning she had to come up big in the tenth frame a few times last Tuesday.

"It's very stressful," Martin said. "Especially when you're losing by two and you need to win this one."

The 16-year-old has bowled for 10 years, taking up the sport when her family moved down from New York and her parents urged her to find an activity.

She joined the Nature Coast team as a freshman two years ago, averaging 160 in six games. Only she and Franki Palermo are 2007 returnees for the girls.

"It was terrible," Martin said of not having a team last year. "This year they didn't do anything for our bowling team. They didn't announce that we won districts."

Perhaps a strong performance at states will provide the recognition the Lady Sharks feel they deserve. Having seen the 2007 squad firsthand, Martin didn't put anything past this version.

"I want to win this just so we can prove to Hernando County our team is a team and not a club," Martin said. "...I think we have a very good chance of winning. If we bowl like we did at districts, we have a very good chance."

"It's going to be intense, but I think we have it in us to win," Williams said. "It feels good. We've worked hard for it. Hopefully we'll win."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 FHSAA Girls Bowling Finals
WHO: Jacksonville-Mandarin, Neptune Beach-Fletcher, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-Forest, Port Orange-Atlantic, DeLand, Nature Coast, Indian Rocks Christian, Oviedo, Sanford-Seminole, Apopka, Winter Park, Orlando-Cypress Creek, Orlando-East River, Stuart-South Fork, Port St. Lucie-Centennial, West Palm Beach-Dreyfoos, Riviera Beach-Suncoast, Wellington-Palm Beach Central, Greenacres-Leonard, Lake Worth-Park Vista, Lantana-Santaluces, North Miami Beach, Miami Carol City, Miami-Braddock, South Miami, Miami-Gulliver Prep and Miami Palmetto.
WHEN: Nov. 10-11
WHERE: Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando.
FORMAT: Four games of American tenpin, with the top 16 teams advancing to the double-elimination, best-of-5 Baker second round. Top 16 individuals advance to single-elimination best-of-3 match-play round with consolation bracket.
AT STAKE: Team and individual state championship.
DIRECTIONS: Take State Road 50 east all the way into Orlando. Boardwalk Bowl is located at 10749 East Colonial Dr. (State Road 50) in Orlando.