Bowling: Regular season opens with 11 area matches Thursday

After winter weather postponed the scheduled Tuesday start of the high school bowling season in Louisiana, the season begins for New Orleans-area teams in full force on Thursday with 11 matches.

The featured attraction on the boys side is a cross-region match at Bowlero Kenner between Central Lafourche and Jesuit.

The Trojans (15-1 last season) were the No. 1 seed in last year’s playoffs before falling to region rival H.L. Bourgeois in the semifinals.

The Blue Jays (12-2) knocked off eventual state champ Brother Martin in the regular season, but were eliminated by Denham Springs in the second round of the playoffs.

The boys playoffs take on a new look in 2024 with two divisions of 16 teams each.

Three Division II matches headline the opening day lineup at Westside Lanes in Harvey, led by 2023 quarterfinalist Archbishop Shaw against St. Martin’s, which fields a team for the first time in 2024.

On the girls side, 2023 state semifinalist Archbishop Chapelle opens its season at Colonial Lanes in Harahan against Mount Carmel.

The Chipmunks (13-2) had no seniors on last year’s team and rate among the favorites for the 2024 title, along with the last two champions, Dutchtown and Denham Springs.

Along with St. Martin’s, other new teams in action for the first time Thursday include John Curtis’ boys, led by standout freshman Carter Santangelo, against East Jefferson, and two new girls programs, Fisher and Ursuline Academy, facing off. Both matches are at Colonial.

Also new to the New Orleans region in 2024 are junior varsity matches, which will be held at the same time as varsity matches.

Thursday’s New Orleans Area Bowling Schedule
(all matches begin at 3:35 p.m.)

Boys

Central Lafourche vs. Jesuit at Bowlero Kenner

Hahnville vs. St. Augustine at Bowlero Kenner

Destrehan vs. Archbishop Rummel at Bowlero Kenner

John Ehret vs. Holy Cross at Bowlero Kenner

East Jefferson vs. John Curtis Christian at Colonial

St. Martin’s vs. Archbishop Shaw at Westside

Kenner Discovery vs. Patrick Taylor at Westside

St. Therese vs. Belle Chasse at Westside

Girls

Fisher vs. Ursuline Academy at Colonial

Mount Carmel vs. Archbishop Chapelle at Colonial

Kenner Discovery vs. Patrick Taylor at Westside