KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The KHS Blackbird Bowlers hosted their third meet this season at Yankee Lanes on Saturday.  The Blackbirds started the season strong and have continued to show grit and determination.  The varsity team worked hard to find good lines in the first individual game of the morning racking up a season low 852 points.  The team regrouped and scored over 100 more points in the second game, 987, to secure a first-place seeding.  The Rebounder award goes to Izaac LaClair who went from a 132 in the first round to a 222 in the second.  Brody Baldwin also worked hard and finished the second game above his average, getting four strikes with a ‘back up ball’ where the ball hooks opposite its normal path.  Newest starter Chris Chickering proved he belonged with a very consistent showing, bowling a strong 199 and 180 in the two games to finish well above his average.

Down at the other end of the lanes the JV also continued to bowl well. Jacob Earl posted a team high 192 in the second game.  The JV earned second seed and went on to defeat Sanborn 157 to 83 and 137 to 76.  They then faced first seed Goffstown and traded blows, winning the first game, 151 to 114, losing a close second, 168 to 150 and finally securing the win with a very consistent 161 to 144 in the third game.
 
Meanwhile the Varsity faced fourth seed Sanborn and continue to work hard to find good lines on the new lanes.  They lost the first game with a below average 172.  Evan Cheshire and Gabriel Hobbs were subbed in and the team put up a much better 211 to win the second game.  Victory was secured with a 186 to 131.
 
On to the final against 2nd seed Bishop Guertin.  BG came to the meet 2 points ahead of Keene for a number one ranking in the state.  Both teams have won all their individuals and bakers rounds so far this season with Bishop Guertin having faced more opponents thus far.  Keene also has 4 of the top 10 bowlers in the state.
 
The Blackbirds continued to struggle early on and lost the first round 154 to 184.  However, they found their groove in dramatic fashion winning the next game 204 to 115 and the final 242 to 193.  This was an important victory for Keene, having now faced and defeated the other two of the top three teams in the state.
 
The Blackbirds will return to Keene in two weeks for their final homestand and senior day.