Several North Alabama high school bowling teams are underway this week as the 11th AHSAA State Bowling Championships began Thursday at Bowlero Lanes in Mobile.

Teams from Scottsboro, Grissom, East Limestone, Hartselle and Etowah are among those competing in the two-day state tournament, which marks the start of championship play for AHSAA winter sports. Competition runs Thursday and Friday in a double-elimination, head-to-head Baker format.

Scottsboro enters the state tournament as the North Regional champion in the Class 1A–5A girls division and is one of three defending state champions to qualify this year. Etowah returns to defend its Class 1A–5A boys state title, while Thompson is back as the defending Class 6A–7A girls champion.

In Class 6A–7A girls competition, Grissom opens tournament play against Hoover, while Hartselle, James Clemens and Thompson are among the teams vying for a state title. East Limestone opens Class 1A–5A girls competition against Satsuma, while Scottsboro faces Elberta in its first-round matchup.

Several North Alabama bowlers also advanced to state following strong regional performances. Scottsboro’s Mikey Horan earned North Regional medalist honors in the Class 1A–5A boys division with a 475 series. Grissom’s Monica Orebaugh rolled a 416 series at the Class 6A–7A North Regional, while Scottsboro’s Grace Anderton led the Class 1A–5A North Regional girls with a 402 series.

Girls competition began at 8 a.m. Thursday, with boys competition starting at 1 p.m. Championship matches are scheduled for Friday, with girls finals beginning at 11 a.m. and boys finals set for 4 p.m.

All championship matches are airing live on the AHSAA TV Network and streaming on the NFHS Network.