He grabs the bowling ball and walks up to the lane. He takes a deep breath and throws the bowling ball. The ball shoots off. As all ten pins fall, the team cheers. Yet another strike for the Alleykats. 

The Alleykats won the Kat Cup on Feb. 3 at Time to Spare in Conroe. Before regionals on March 3 at Copperfield Lanes in Houston, they have a competition at 300 Bowl in Conroe on Feb. 14. 

“Two weeks ago, we won first at the San Antonio tournament,” sponsor Gary Granger said. “It was against some of these other teams here. It’s good to show yourself out against other teams around the state so they know who their competition is.”

Teamwork makes the dream work, especially for the Alleykats this year.  

“It’s a team effort,” freshman Ryan Jackson said. “We just keep our energy up, and when one person isn’t doing their job to the best of their ability, we pick each other up. Altogether, it’s a team effort, and it always will be. We’re going to take this energy to stay and win it.”

Each team member has their own story, and no one starts their bowling journey the same way.

 “During COVID, I got pretty into bowling, just with my family and friends, ” sophomore Brent Moody said. “One of my favorite things is seeing your growth as you go.”

Bowling doesn’t take up too much time so those a part of the Alleykats can also focus on school work. 

“The bowling practices aren’t much,” Moody said. “We only have about one a week and one match a week, so it’s not a ton, but having a good work ethic helps you balance bowling and school work.” 

The Alleykats last won state in 2007 with a victory over Alvin High School and are looking to repeat this accomplishment this year.

“My individual and team goal is to win state,” Jackson said. “Especially for my team, I want to win and stay with my great teammates. Also, stay consistent and don’t get injured.”

Granger is impressed by the continuous growth the Alleykats have made this year. 

“They’re good bowlers,” Granger said. “They know what they like to do and what they want to do. Of course, they want to win but have a good time doing it.”