The Southside bowling teams delivered strong performances at the 4A East Conference Tournament held Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Hijinx Lanes in Jonesboro. Teams were ranked based on total pinfall from three games of six-person singles play followed by five Baker games. The top four teams advanced to the 4A State Tournament, which will be held Wednesday, February 11, at Fast Lane Entertainment in Lowell.
Boys Claim Conference Championship
The Southside boys team captured the 4A East Conference Championship, finishing with 4,149 total pins, edging out Heber Springs by more than 100 pins.
Boys Team Results:
Southside – 4,149 pins – Conference Champions
Heber Springs – 4,041 pins
Westside – 3,862 pins
Stuttgart – 3,638 pins
Individually, Southside had multiple standout performances. Braydyn Crabtree earned silver medalist honors, placing 2nd overall with a three-game total of 651 pins, including a high game of 258. Royce Brucher placed 4th with a total of 610 pins and a high game of 236. Both bowlers were named to the All-Conference Team, which recognizes the top 15% of bowlers.
Just missing All-Conference recognition was Bryce Carter, who placed 8th with 532 pins and a high game of 203. Additional top finishers included Tyler Knactal, who placed 15th with 487 pins, and Braxton Waggoner, who finished 19th with 457 pins.
The Southerners held a narrow 10-pin lead over Heber Springs following singles play, but a dominant Baker round sealed the championship. Southside rolled 946 total pins during Baker games, averaging 189 per game and posting a high game of 213. Heber Springs totaled 848 pins during Baker play.
Lady Southerners Secure State Berth
The Southside girls team battled through a competitive field to earn a fourth-place finish and state tournament qualification with 2,823 total pins.
Girls Team Results:
Brookland – 3,416 pins
Heber Springs – 3,274 pins
Westside – 3,011 pins
Southside – 2,823 pins
Leading the Lady Southerners was Heidi Lermitte, who placed 7th overall with a three-game total of 450 pins, including a high game of 178, earning All-Conference honors.
Other top Southside performers included Jillian Heckel, who placed 13th with 422 pins and a high game of 177, and Rileigh McCollum, who finished 18th with 383 pins and a high game of 145.
Southside held just a two-pin advantage over Stuttgart after singles play, but the Lady Southerners delivered in Baker competition, outscoring Stuttgart 615 to 590. The girls recorded a 174 Baker game, their highest Baker score of the season, helping secure the final state qualifying position.
Continuing a Strong Tradition
This marks the eighth consecutive season that both Southside boys and girls bowling teams have qualified for the state tournament.
Both teams will compete in the 4A State Tournament at Fast Lane Entertainment in Lowell on Wednesday, February 11, at 11:00 a.m.