The Wilmington High School bowling teams put forth a valiant effort with heavy hearts this week in a pair of matches.

WHS coach Joe Davis said the Hurricane boys and girls teams were bowling in the wake of the loss of the Becky Hottinger, mother of Ryan Hottinger and aunt of Katie Hottinger, Timmy Wright and Hanna Lunsford.

Becky Hottinger passed away Monday night after a battle with cancer.

“She told Ryan to keep bowling, so he and the team did not cancel the match and we bowled the games in her honor,” Davis said.

So against Springboro at Eastern Lanes in Middletown, the Hurricane posted a 2,240 to 2,036 win over the Panthers. Ryan Hottinger had a season-high 252 game and finished with a 433 series. Sawyer Kratzer led WHS with 226 and 246 games for a 472 series.

The girls defeated Springboro 1,656 to 1,338. Katie Hottinger had a 154 game and 282 seriers while Sarah Waln led the Lady ’Cane with games of 166 and 141 for a 307 series. Chasity Asher had a 278 series (143, 135).

The reserve boys were led by Timmy Wright’s 177 and Andrew Thompson’s 155 games.

On Monday, Wilmington faced Hillsboro and McClain and lost all 3 matches.

The varsity boys had 2,487 while while Hillsboro had 2,567 and McClain had 2,336. Zack Zecker led with a 247 game and 433 series. Kratzer had games of 212 adn 214.

For the girls, Katie Hottinger had 158 and 169 games (327 series). WHS lost to Hillsboro and defeated McClain.