2010-2011 MLHS Bowling Preview

MOSES LAKE - It's a strange mix of age and inexperience for this year's edition of the Moses Lake High School bowling team.

That's because the same players one might look at as being 'veteran' are also the same ones that most spectators could consider 'rookies.'

Chiefs head coach Billy Brice, heading into his 11th season with the program, will count on nine seniors to help his team try to build off of last year's 9-3 team but at the same time a half-dozen of those 12th graders are new to pressures of varsity bowling.

The three seniors he can count on includes, his daughter Shanice Brice, who finished third at the state finals last year, Crystal Balderas, and Ashlann Starkweather.

"This years season is looking very promising," Billy Brice said. "Shanice has a lot to do with this but just as important is the experience of all of my seniors. The team seems to be practicing with more of a purpose this year and with a lot less drama."

Shanice Brice also notes that his new group of elder, varsity teammates, have taken the responsibility of becoming a better team quite seriously this preseason.

"Having them be seniors helps a little bit because they understand what is important and to practice a lot to get better," Shanice Brice said. "Since they are seniors they want to win a lot more because it's their last chance to compete. They want to go down and practice a lot more and get frustrated when they don't do well. They seem to really want to get better."

Shanice Brice, a two-time Big 9 Most Valuable Player and three-time state competitor, has continued her practice regimen as she hopes to improve on her state finish, especially since the two bowlers who beat her out last season have graduated.

"I am just trying to practice harder every day to do better than third," she said. "I want to get first and so I have to keep getting the fundamentals down and keep bowling my heart out."

Billy Brice knows that his leader will be Shanice following a stellar junior campaign.

There's no doubt that the strength of this team is Shanice with her averaging a 210 last year," Billy Brice said. "That was a sixteen pin increase from the previous season. I can only sit back and wonder, what's next? A singles state title alongside a team title would be very welcoming."

In order for the team to earn top honors, the Chiefs need to clean up on some of their early weaknesses.

"Consistency is the word that comes to mind when talking about our what our team needs to work on," Billy Brice said. "We have about a 50 to 80 pin difference between the top and bottom and that's not good. That will put a lot of stress and pressure on all the girls to perform. We are an experienced team but not a strong team. With that said, we are going to rely on that experience to have a successful season."

That age and having been around the program will help but stepping up to varsity play will be key as Moses Lake will battle it out in a solid Big 9 slate of competition.

"The way the league looks this year there are no clear favorites," Billy Brice said. "We are going to be pretty evenly matched and I like that. With Kennewick and Pasco no longer in our league, it will be anyone's race."

But to ensure that Moses Lake is in the race for the Big 9 title they need to also make sure that the team becomes more balanced.

"Closing the gap between the top and bottom averages is going to be a key factor in the outcome of the season," Billy Brice said. "A strong work ethic throughout the season is important in closing that gap. Simply put, we have to bowl as a team.

"I'm looking forward this season and seeing how the team progresses throughout the year," coach Brice added. "This team has a lot of potential. My motto is to practice hard and win big.

His daughter also feels that her coach has the solution to the team's potential, future success.

"I think we can get back we just need a little more practice and keep practicing the fundamentals because it really does help," Shanice Brice said.

MOSES LAKE CHIEFS

Head coach: Billy Brice (11 years)

2009-2010 Team Record: 9-3

2009-2010 Post Season: Regional qualifier

Roster: SENIORS: Shanice Brice, Crystal Balderas, Brittany Simpson, Bianca Martinez, Jessie Rosenow, Andrea Moreno, Emily Lembcke, and Ashlann Starkweather; SOPHOMORE: Zhane Serrano.