Bocce ball rolls to a third place finish
Bocce ball rolls to a third place finish
By Tyler Kerstetter ‘25, sports editor
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The Shamokin Area High School bocce ball team “rolled '' to a third place finish in the PHAC (Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference) Bocce Ball League Championship against teams like Danville, Shikellamy, and Warrior Run. This was the team’s first time hosting a league championship, and had a fantastic result. Although not advancing to districts, the two coaches, Ms. Traci Beck and Ms. Courtney Beck couldn't be more proud. Eight other students accompany the two coaches on the team.
Bocce ball is a part of the Special Olympics Unified Sports® program, and enables students to participate in team sports that might not otherwise be able to. Each athlete is paired with a partner to help with this.
Bocce ball enables athletes to learn new sports, develop higher-level sports skills, socialize with peers, and so much more. The bocce ball team has participated in the annual “Trunk or Treat” with the B.E.S.T. (building essential skills together) club and host a Holiday CheerMeister. They’ve even gone as far as to raise $1,000 for the Special Olympics by selling concessions, clothing, and hosting dress down days.
A group of cheerleaders welcomed all of the teams into the gymnasium before the event. From the front left to right, Chloe Golden, Brooke Latsha, Kara Huff, and Row two Cierra Yohe, Payten Puttmann, Danika Lahr, Aaralyn Latsha, Natalia Leschinskie, and Rylee Bickert.
(Photo by Autumn Kehler '25, staff writer)
So far, the bocce ball team has amassed an outstanding record of eight wins and four losses. With the bocce ball team being around for less than a year, this is very impressive. Big wins over schools like Shikellamy keep this team rolling.
To start a bocce ball game, a team is chosen to roll out the pallino (target) ball. Each team is then given four chances to try to get their bocce balls as close to the pallino as possible. The amount of points is decided on how many balls a team has closer to the pallino than the other team. Along with this, if a ball is directly touching the pallino, it is called a baci, or kiss, and rewards two points. Hitting or moving the pallino is allowed. If the teams are tied in the end, the “sudden death” rule goes into effect. The next team who scores, wins.
With this newly introduced sport comes many opportunities. The chances to improve important skills like teamwork, dedication, and leadership are endless. Catch the bocce ball team in action next year, and be sure to come out to support them.
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