Daily Press Staff Report

With the New Mexico High School Bowling Association season still three weeks away, Artesia High School head coach Ken Clayton decided to take two of its teams to compete in the West Texas High School Shootout in Lubbock this past weekend.

“In taking two teams, we had to call them Artesia 1 and Artesia 2 only to tell them apart because these kids are so good that we could put ten names in a hat and the first five out could be Artesia 1 no matter the names,” said Clayton.

With 24 teams from all over Texas the shootout was set to be a great opening test for the two-time defending state champion Bulldog bowlers. The tournament format called for three team games with the three-game totals seeding teams into a double elimination bracket.

Artesia’s No. 1 team everyone in qualifying, earning the top seed and a bye in the first round of the elimination bracket. Artesia rolled games of 980-1017-962 for a total of 2,959, averaging 197.3 for 15 games. Junior Payton DeMerritt led the Bulldogs with games of 202-229-255 and led the tournament with his high series of 686 and 228 average. Ayden Gomez 209-237-194-640, Brent McIntire 225-185-177-587, Hagen Murph 207-168-176-551, and Kambry Collins 137-198-160-495 completed the Artesia No. 1 qualifying effort.

Artesia’s No. 2 qualified sixth, allowing them to be placed in the opposite side of the bracket from their teammates. Artesia No. 2 rolled games of 1004-890-828 for a total of 2722, averaging 181.5 for 15 games. Sophomore Jace Miles led his team with games of 245-184-162 and a 591 series. Chase Collins 191-194-191-576, Mason Jeter 221-145-165-532, Brenden Depew 183-201-136-520, and Sebastian Gonzalez 164-165-174-504 completed Artesia No. 2’s scoring.

The double elimination bracket saw Artesia No. 2 begin play in the best of three Baker-game format with a 209-151, 246-223 victory over John Paul Steven High School. In the second round Artesia #1 defeated Canyon High School 204-152 and 188-172 while Artesia No. 2 advanced with a 170-148, 177-164 win over Lubbock Central. The third round saw Artesia No. 1 defeat Frenship High 227-210 and 216-177. Artesia No. 2 found themselves in a battle with Warren High. The Bulldogs won game one 211-148, Warren came back to win game two 189-175 and send the match to a deciding game three.

Artesia decided to take no chances, rolling a tournament high 265 baker game to secure its spot in the finals of the winner’s bracket against Artesia No. 1.

Game one had Artesia No. 2 start fast in winning 226-160. Game two showed everyone the battle the coaches see in practice every day as Artesia No. 1 rolled 10 strikes in a row to win 257-208. The deciding game had Artesia #1 advance to the Championship Match with a 180-165 win.

“With the loser’s bracket being one-game matches, we told the team that all we needed was one win to set up the all Artesia Championship that had been our goal all week,” said Clayton.

Artesia No. 2 again met Warren High and a back-and-forth battle came down to junior Brenden Depew having to throw two strikes in the tenth frame to send his team to the title match. With all eyes on him, Depew delivered two perfect shots and the all Artesia High School title match was set.

“I thought our teams bowling each other for the championship of such a great tournament would be fun, but I can tell you honestly that I was stressed out. We were both going to be winners, but at the same time we weren’t.” said Clayton.

Artesia No. 2 started the best of three championship match off throwing strikes and never looked back. With games of 201 and 235 the first-place trophy was secured.

Payton DeMerritt and Kambry Collins were named to the All-Tournament teams.

“Coach Laura Weddige and the Artesia No. 2 team get the bragging rights for at least a couple weeks, they stepped up in the baker game format, averaging well over 200 per game which is a tremendous feat in high school bowling” stated Clayton.