Plum bowlers finish strong to get past Norwin, win WPIBL girls team championship

By: Triblive
Thursday, February 15, 2024 | 8:51 PM

In a championship match that came down to the final frames of the final game, Plum bowlers threw strikes on their last five balls to win the WPIBL girls team championship Thursday at AMF Belle Vernon.

Norwin, which finished third in qualifying, won the first game of the best-of-three Baker format championship finals, 168-156. The Mustangs, who topped the field in qualifying, roared back to win the second game 233-196 and the winner-take-all third game 220-192.

It was Plum’s first team championship since 2016.

Norwin defeated Freeport in the semifinals, losing 159-147 in the first game before bouncing back with a 190-153 victory in Game 2 and a 168-146 win in Game 3.

Behind Plum (2,672), Freeport (2,603) and Norwin (2,514), Hempfield (2,351) was fourth and Butler (2,344) was fifth in qualifying. Deer Lakes (2,2282), Montour (2,243), Moon (2,170), Kiski Area (2,151) and Greensburg Salem (2,112) rounded out the top 10.

The girls team event at the Western Regional championships is scheduled for March 9 at AMF Noble Manor.

The WPIBL boys and girls singles championships are set for Feb. 21-22 at AMF Mt. Lebanon.