BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Bowling's rule No. 1—every pin counts.

Great Bend's boys celebrated that tried and true formula with a one-pin 3,265 to 3,264 regional victory over the Buhler Crusaders at Walnut Bowl. Great Bend's girls joined the celebration while winning their division.

The Crusaders nearly crashed the Panthers' party when Buhler strung together a final 252 Baker game. But Crusader Trent Sheridan left a 7 pin hanging after two consecutive strikes in the 10th frame.

"Today was one of those days where it came down to one pin," said Great Bend coach David Feldbauer. "That was pretty exciting."

Former WAC Player of the Year Bryce Moore returned to his vintage form Tuesday at 5A bowling regionals. Moore earned medalist honors with a 751 series (225/257/269) while converting all strikes and spares. The regional runner-up shot 685.

Moore led the way with a season-best series, built off three consecutive strikes to end two of the three games.

"I gave it my all. Other than being nervous on some shots, I bowled pretty good," Moore said. "The shot was different today, but playing here and knowing what to do is an advantage."  

The Panthers rolled games of 790/823/851 for a 2,464 series score. The Panthers tacked on solid Baker scores of 205/200/202/194 after struggling at times during the regular season in the alternate-shot Baker format. The Panthers finished with a pin count of 3,265. Buhler countered 

Corbin Stanley backed up Moore with a 631 series (201/208/222). Moore and teammate Corbin Stanley were solid players in Bakers. Moore converted 10 strikes and Stanley set him up with three strikes in ninth frames to maximize the Panthers' pin count.

"We were energetic and happy today. That's the best Bakers score we've posted this year," Moore said. "We were really pleased today. Overall, we played good."

Feldbauer was pleased the teams maintained momentum heading to 5A state.

"We dominated Baker games. Our boys were No. 1 with a score over 800 and our girls were No.  2," Feldbauer said. "The boys played well. Bryce Moore dominated like he's capable of doing. He relaxed and bowled his game. Corbin Stanley was solid with three 200-plus games. Corbin was throwing the ball really well today. The girls picked it up when they needed to. We kept a level head, which we needed."

Former Great Bend WAC Player of the Year Paige Wagner was dialed in as usual with a 642 series (182/246/214) that earned her 5A regional medalist honors. 

"We bowled pretty good today. That first game we were nervous," Wagner said. 

Wagner converted a 4/9 split while recording marks in eight consecutive Baker frames in addition to her 10th frame multiple marks. Kaylin Wahlmeier converted 8 of 8 marks and Nicole Griffin converted 7 of 8 marks at the leadoff spot.

"I was pretty happy about the 4/9 split," Wagner said. "I've gotten it before, maybe 20 percent of the time."

Addison Ehrlich placed second for the Panthers at 562 (198/202/174). A 236 Baker game was a season best in addition to 171, 172 and 201 games.

"Addison (Ehrlich) played really well. She stepped up and had a good day," Feldbauer said. 'The girls made good adjustments."

The Great Bend teams compete March 4 at North Rock Lanes in Wichita.

GREAT BEND GIRLS

Paige Wagner, 642 (182/246/214)

Addison Ehrlich, 562 (186/202/174) 

Nicole Griffin, 500 (159/146/195) 

Sahara Rziha, 492 (181/159/152); 

Kaylin Wahlmeier, 480 (168/168/144) 

Kristy Wittig, 471 (118/140/213)

SERIES—717-777-796—2,290 

BAKERS— 171-201-236-172—780; TOTAL PINS—3,070

GREAT BEND BOYS

Bryce Moore, 751 (225/257/269)

Corbin Stanley, 631 (201/208/222)

Dylan Ferguson, 511 (159/160/192)

Ashton Ensley, 500 (174/185/141)

Bradley Heine, 499 (158/173/168)

Caleb Murphy, 485 (247/154/267)

SERIES—790-823-851—2,464

BAKERS—205-200-202-194—801; TOTAL PINS—3,265