The first champions of the winter sports season will be crowned this week.
Friday is the date of the 4A and 3A/2A district bowling tournaments at Crosley Lanes.
And if the past is any indication, the champions crowned this week could be the same ones crowned next week at the state tournament.
Last year, Battle Ground captured its fourth consecutive 4A team title in girls bowling. In 3A, Columbia River captured the state team title.
Southwest Washington has been a hotbed for girls bowling.
One of the great things about girls bowling is it fully embraces the team concept in an individual sport.
We call bowling an individual sport because you can advance to state as an individual. But complete teams also qualify for state, just like they do in cross country and gymnastics.
In girls bowling, only eight teams advance to state — unlike the 16 that normally go to state in other sports.
Last year, District 4 only received one team berth to state in bowling, and that went to Battle Ground, the eventual state champion.
But this year, District 4 receives two team berths to state. That’s good news for the four-time state champs.
Evergreen completed the regular season undefeated overall and 12-0 in the 4A GSHL. Battle Ground, in fact, wasn’t even second. The Tigers tied for third with Mountain View behind second-place Skyview.
But format at the district tournament is different than in dual matches, so that could benefit the Tigers. We’ll find out on Friday.
Bowlers in the 3A/2A tournament also will be competing for two state team berths.
Hudson’s Bay finished the regular season on top of the 3A GSHL standings at 10-2. Prairie and Kelso tied for second at 8-4. River is fourth at 6-5 with a match still to play Monday against Mark Morris.
Daily picks
MONDAY: A month ago, a matchup between the Mark Morris and Hockinson girls basketball team wouldn’t look so great. A month ago, Hockinson was 2-5, and Mark Morris was 1-5. But both teams have righted their ships. The Monarchs have won seven in a row and are tied with Washougal atop the 2A GSHL at 6-1. The Hawks have won four straight and sit just a half-game back in the 2A GSHL at 6-2. They meet Monday in Hockinson.
TUESDAY: In 2A GSHL boys basketball, where second place and last place is separated by 1 1/2 games, just about every game is a big game. On Tuesday, we’ll just pick one: Washougal (3-4) at R.A. Long (4-3).
WEDNESDAY: How about a wrestling dual? Kelso competes at Prairie for the 3A GSHL regular-season title.
THURSDAY: The 3A GSHL title in boys basketball could be decided when Columbia River (3-0) plays at Prairie (2-1).
FRIDAY: The last time the Mountain View and Union girls basketball teams met it was decided by a late 3-pointer by the Thunder. The teams meet again, this time at Union.
SATURDAY: The area’s best boys swimmers work to get into peak shape in the final big meet before district at the Southwest Washington Invitational at Mark Morris.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4538, tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart.
