Bonney Lake Sets Season High but Falls Short in a Gritty, Four-Game Fight at Yelm

The Insider
3 days ago
3 min read

The Bonney Lake Panthers have spent the early part of this season rebuilding on the fly, new varsity faces in nearly every slot, a lineup still discovering its identity, and a steady heartbeat provided by returning juniors Jayden Thayer, the reigning state champion, and Violet Vincent, a steady veteran who brings experience to an otherwise young roster.

So Tuesday night at Daffodil Bowl felt familiar in all the ways this group has come to expect: flashes of brilliance, stretches of growing pains, and a collective sense that the pieces are getting closer to clicking into place. Against Yelm, the Panthers delivered their best scoring game of the year, battled through two tight Baker rounds, and continued to show exactly how much upside lives inside this developing squad, even as the Tornadoes came away with the match by 35 total pins.

GAME 1: A Slow Burn Turns Into a Late Push

Bonney Lake opened the night from behind, trailing 425–364 after six frames before cutting into the deficit in the seventh. Jayden anchored the Panthers with a 183, while Violet’s 126, senior Ella Lamar’s 102, junior Madi Watkins’ 93, and junior Lexi Cournoyer’s 100 kept them within range.

Still, Yelm held the advantage and closed the opener 640–597.

Game 1 Scores:

Jayden Thayer – 183
Violet Vincent – 126
Ella Lamar – 102
Madi Watkins – 93
Lexi Cournoyer – 100

GAME 2: The Panthers Unleash Their Best Game of the Season

Momentum shifted when junior Theo Bones stepped into the lineup for Game 2. Bonney Lake immediately found more rhythm, three Panthers struck in the third frame, Violet stacked clean spares, Ella found her groove, and Madi delivered timely marks.

And then Jayden did what state champions do.

A turkey in the fourth, a strike to answer an open in the fifth, and a powerful back-half finish pushed Bonney Lake into its most complete game of the year. The Panthers stormed to a 1,310 team score, their highest of the season.

Game 2 Scores:

Jayden Thayer – 205
Violet Vincent – 153
Theo Bones – 117
Ella Lamar – 124
Madi Watkins – 114

Yelm, though, countered with a massive 10th frame, three straight strikes from their anchor, securing the game 1,361–1,310 and preserving their match lead.

BAKER GAME 1: A Steady Push, but Yelm Stays Out Front

The Panthers opened the Baker set with one of their cleaner efforts of the season, posting a 149 built on consistency through the middle frames. Yelm, already holding a sizeable cushion from the standard games, added to its lead with a 150, staying just one mark ahead.

BAKER GAME 2: A Mirror Match With No Wiggle Room

The second Baker was nearly frame-for-frame identical. Bonney Lake rolled a 139, matching Yelm’s 139, with neither team finding a breakthrough. For the Panthers, it was another sign of developing chemistry, a glimpse of what this lineup can become as the season continues.

FINAL TAKEAWAY: Progress You Can Measure

While the Tornadoes walked away with the match, the Panthers walked away with something just as meaningful: growth they can see, feel, and build on. A season-high performance, a lineup adapting quickly, and contributions from every bowler on the roster.

Jayden once again proved why she's one of Washington’s elite with her 183 and 205, Violet provided veteran steadiness, Ella and Madi delivered under pressure, Lexi supplied quality frames in Game 1, and Theo’s Game 2 performance added a noticeable spark.

This isn’t a setback. This is a stepping stone.

Bonney Lake returns home later this week looking to turn tonight’s progress into their next win.