Mobile, Ala - In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, the Thompson High School girls' bowling team fought their way through the consolation bracket to win the 6A/7A State Bowling Championship. The Warriors, led by Coach Michael Craycraft, overcame an early setback to capture the school's first-ever girls’ state bowling title.
The journey to victory wasn’t easy. On Monday, Hoover High School defeated Thompson in the winners’ bracket finals, sending the Warriors to the consolation round. Undeterred, Thompson bounced back on Tuesday with a dominant performance against James Clemens, winning 1,516 pins to 1,184 to secure a spot in the finals.
Facing Hoover once again, Thompson needed to win twice to claim the championship. They edged out Hoover by 23 pins in the first match, 1,192 to 1,169, forcing an “if” game in the double-elimination format. In the decisive final match, the Warriors delivered a commanding 1,279-1,141 victory to complete their comeback and earn the state title.
Thompson’s Emma Roberson played a pivotal role in the championship run, rolling a 245 in the consolation finals, tying for the best single round of the tournament. Her performance helped propel the Warriors past James Clemens with a 332-pin margin. In the final “if” game, Roberson continued her stellar play with a 214, as Thompson swept two of the three Baker games and held an 817-729 advantage in traditional round pin count. Amil Smith also stepped up with a 173 to seal the victory.
The championship marks a historic moment for Thompson High School, cementing the Warriors’ place among the top bowling programs in the state.