Bowling: Thomas Jefferson picks up the spare and defeats Decatur

After a strong 2022-23 season, Thomas Jefferson High School’s bowling team is continuing to roll with a big win over Decatur, with whom they split the regular season matchup last season. After losing the first game to Decatur, Thomas Jefferson was able to bounce back and win the last three games.

This year, Thomas Jefferson brought back four of five bowlers who bowled in the state tournament last year. Decatur, however, just returned Chole Bettelon as the lone bowler who went to state for the Gators a year ago.

Samiya Gildon had the highest total for the Raiders and the second highest in the match. She bowled a 179 and a 239 for the Raiders in the two individual games.

“First game I thought I could have done a little bit better picking up my spares… Second game I told myself, ‘Get your act together. This isn’t how you normally bowl, I know we can do better.’ I didn’t focus on the score, and just focused on my game. Picking up spares and getting strikes,” Gildon said.

Ben Ray / The Mirror Mack Hatten gets some high-fives from Coach Doug Toland after a strike.

The star of the first game was Decatur senior Mack Hatten, who finished with a career high 289. She started hot and ended just as hot, knocking down 11 strikes in a row and ending with a 9-spare — two strikes away from the perfect game, the golden goose of bowling. After about the seventh frame, the entire crowd and bowlers alike had their eyes glued to Hatten’s ball as it traveled down the lane.

It was a remarkable game even for Decatur’s opponents.

“It was crazy. I thought she had it (300). I like watching her bowl because she’s such good competition. I’m happy she got to 289,” Gildon said.

Hatten’s record setting game was a huge mountain for the Raiders to climb. After that first game, Thomas Jefferson trailed by 144 pins and won the contest by 44 pins. But Head Coach Joe Townsend had a message for his girls.

“We can get punched in the face, but how do we bounce back? It was a wakeup call for us,” said Gildon.

The Raiders have been arguably the best bowling team in the district for a while, and that comes with a target on their back.

Ben Ray / The Mirror Lexi Hill bowls against Thomas Jefferson at Secoma Lanes.

“(Coach Joe) told us we can’t sit at the top of the mountain and expect to be the bully and not lose,” Gildon said.

That message was heard loud and clear, and the Raider girls responded. All five bowlers improved their game one score, including Alena McDugle and Gildon, who struck out in the tenth frame. After trailing by almost 150 pins, to come out of the two games in front was an impressive feat.

“I think my hair is turning a little white right now. I’m really proud of them. When we get going it’s over. It’s really fun bowling with this team,” Gildon said.

After a strong second game the Raiders, the Bakers rotation games were split one for each side, which meant the tie-breaker was a pin total going the way of the Raiders.

The key? Picking up spares.

“It’s all about spares. In state last year we were down and came back because of bakers and spares. That’s the way we are going to get through this season and districts and hopefully state. As me and Alena like to say, ‘Strike for show, spare for dough,’” Gildon said.