ANDERSON — Cooper’s Sport Bowl provided the backdrop for another round of cross-town rivalry as keglers from Anderson and Highland high schools squared off in White River Valley League action Friday.

Both schools have teams leading the standings as Highland’s boys team and the Anderson girls both stand atop the league standings.

On Friday in the boys match, the Scots rolled past the Indians 2,061-1,879 and picked up the 16-4 victory to move to 8-0 while dropping the Indians to 5-3.

On the girls side, the Indians continued to dominate. The Indians scored a 1,959-1,793 total for a 19-1 victory and an 8-0 record while the Scots dropped to 5-3.

Highland has five returning bowlers from last year’s team, which placed third in the state and is powered by Elliot Myers, who was runner-up in the individual state finals last year. 

Myers, who is a senior, has returned to form this year, averaging 207. Junior Michael Bilyeu is carrying a 213 average and sophomore Brian Haidle averages 201 to form the bulk of the heavy hitters. Coach Mike Dauss rosters 11 Scots and calls them a “good crop.”

“It takes a team score of 1,050 to be successful at the state level,” said Dauss. “We try to rotate everyone in and what I tell them is it takes 210 to stay in.” That provides for strong competition as eight bowlers average over 180.

The Anderson boys are anchored by steady freshman Brady Colip, who has averaged 187 ppg over seven weeks, and senior Dustin Cannon, who is averaging 207. 

“We’ve just overpowered people,” said Anderson coach Bob Brown of his victorious Indians girls team. “We haven’t given up more than one point all year.”

AHS junior Jordan Harrington carries a 205 average, and senior Kayla Rector chips in at 190, but both Brittany Frye and Michelle Davis came up large for the Tribe Friday. Frye tallied a 215 for one series, and Davis dropped a 256 on the Scots for individual honors in league play. 

Scots coach Jim Dauss (Mike’s brother) may not have the heavy hitters that his brother has, but many coaches would love his dilemma.

“It’s a real challenge each week to pick the five bowlers because we have such good balance and depth,” Jim Dauss said.

League team high score for the boys went to Elwood with a 2,090 and the Anderson girls 1,959 held up for girls’ honors. Boys high score was a tie between Brian Bush of Elwood and Tommy Harmon of Pendleton Heights at 258. Michelle Davis’ 256 for Highland stood up for the girls.

Next Friday night at the Stardust Lanes in Noblesville, the White River Valley League will hold Senior Night for the 10 teams. Then on Jan. 16, position night will be held at Well’s Lanes in Elwood (boys) and Norwood Bowl (girls) in Alexandria. This leads to the Sectional Tourney at Cooper’s Sport Bowl on Jan. 31.