1 of 3
Frank Couch
Vestavia Bowling
Travis Saunders was one of the catalysts behind Vestavia's solid run in the 2015-16 season.
2 of 3
Frank Couch
Vestavia Hills Bowling
Vestavia Hills bowler Beau Reed is congratulated by his team mates during the opening round in the first day of AHSAA bowling regional tournament held at Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham, Alabama, on Thursday, January 28, 2016.
3 of 3
Frank Couch
Vestavia Hills Bowling
Vestavia Hills bowler Travis Saunders looks back to his team mates after a strike in the first day of AHSAA bowling regional tournament held at Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham, Alabama, on Thursday, January 28, 2016.
The Vestavia Hills boys bowling team reached the quarterfinals of the inaugural AHSAA State Bowling Championships, held on Jan. 29-30 at Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham.
The girls and boys teams put together great regular seasons, each putting up 10-0 records in their regions. At the regionals in Tuscaloosa, the boys team put together a strong enough showing to advance to the 16-team state championship.
Day 1 of the championships was to determine seeding, as the Rebels latched on to the No. 6 seed, where they took on No. 11 James Clemens -- overall winner in the regionals -- in Round 1 on Day 2. Vestavia Hills won easily, defeating the Jets 1,852-1,543.
The Rebels looked to be in good shape in the quarterfinal round against Mary G. Montgomery. In the six-round game, Vestavia won the first four rounds and jumped out to a 70-pin edge. But MGM stormed back, blowing the Rebels away in the final two rounds and bowling a sensational 222 in the final round.
Spain Park would go on to win the title, defeating MGM in the semifinals and Stanhope-Elmore in the finals.
