TROY — Troy High School sophomore bowler Bryce Massingill will take the lanes at Wayne Webb Bowl Friday morning in the Division I boys state tournament.

Massingill, who has been a strong bowler since coming up through the junior ranks, made a significant switch last year.

He went from bowling with one hand to two and taken his success to another level.

”I started bowling with two hands last year,” Massingill said. “I actually, I bowled my 300 game when I was bowling with one hand. I just think it gives me a lot more room to miss with than with one hand.”

Troy boys bowling coach Doug Stone would agree it has helped Massingill.

“Bryce has done really well bowling two handed,” Stone said. “I think Bryce is just more consistent bowling two handed. He was more all over when he was bowling one handed. It is just a little difficult for me. Knowing how to coach him.”

Neither is surprised to see Massigingill in the state tournament.

He led the Trojans with a 208.3 average this season and is on a roll heading into the state tournament.

He was the MVL individual champion with a 676 series.

He finished second at sectionals with a 714 series and last week at district finished second with a 740 series.

Massingill knows a repeat of that could put him in the running for a state title.

”Definitely, I felt like I could make it to state as long as I bowled the way I was capable,” Massingill said. “I want to bowl around a 750 series. I am definitely capable of winning it. I have bowled there before in tournaments. I am familiar with lanes. I am practicing the shot I need over there.”

Massingill is trying not to get caught up in the atmosphere of a state tournament.

“I bowl in a lot of tournaments on the weekend,” he said. “So, that is the way I am approaching it. It is just another tournament.”

Stone also expects Massingill to do well.

“Bryce (Massingill) always had the potential,” Stone said. “He has come up through the junior leagues and has always been a good bowler. He definitely has a shot at winning. I was at the Division II tournament last weekend and there were a lot of high scores, so we will see what happens.”

As Massingill looks to continue to prove two hands are better than one.