Alley Cats Strike

A junior high basketball game between East Appleton and West Appleton ends in a tie, setting up the rivalry between the cities. The outcome leaves both sides eager to prove themselves in a different arena and introduces the motive to win The Mighty Apple.

Alex Thompson and his friends discover that Todd McLemore is a member of the West Appleton junior high bowling club. They are surprised because Todd is a popular basketball player, not traditionally associated with bowling. The revelation hints at competing loyalties as the two teams prepare for the upcoming contest.

Todd reluctantly trains for the competition at Kevin Thompson's bowling alley. He criticizes Alex and the others for not showing a strong willingness to win, while they see their rivals as overconfident. The dynamic sets up tension between talent, popularity, and team spirit.

Alex chooses to go to a party with Todd rather than practice at the alley, signaling a shift in priorities. The choice strains his friendships with Delia, Elisa, and Ken and foreshadows a growing rift within the team. The party marks a turning point in how the others perceive Todd and his influence.

As Todd spends more time with his friends, his bowling shows improvement while Alex's performance declines. The contrast highlights the cost of distraction and the growing divide inside the West Appleton group. Tension builds around who will lead the team in the upcoming competition.

The children redecorate Kevin's bowling alley to draw in customers, transforming the space into a showcase. Todd leverages his popularity to persuade local businesses to donate supplies like paint and flashing lights for the Bowling Ball party. The event demonstrates how publicity can influence the team's image and morale.

Delia, Elisa, and Ken depart early from the Bowling Ball party after feeling betrayed by Alex, who now spends more time with Todd. They realize Todd and his friends are pretending to be allies to boost their chances at The Mighty Apple. The moment marks a significant fracture in the group.

Jeff McLemore, Todd's father and the West Appleton mayor, wagers with East Appleton's mayor Hanburger over The Mighty Apple and the naming rights for the new school. Hanburger hires Whipsaw McGraw, a bowling champion, to train the West Appleton team. The stakes escalate as team performance ties to political outcomes.

The West Appleton bowling team is given low-quality shirts as part of the rivalry's edge, fueling frustration. Alex decides to quit the team out of anger and a sense that the situation has become unfair. The rest of the group must find a way to move forward without him.

Todd reaches out to Alex, asking him to rejoin the team and reveals new shirts bearing the name Alley Cats. Kevin explains to Alex that he once was friends with Jeff before they had a falling out over a game, underscoring the fragility of friendship under competitive pressure. The scene emphasizes tensions between pride, loyalty, and community.

Alex re-enters the team for the upcoming competition, hoping to restore balance and keep the group united. The team quiets doubts as they prepare to face their rivals with renewed focus. The dynamic shifts back toward teamwork rather than personal grievances.

During the final match, Todd's performance falters with a difficult 7–10 split. Delia substitutes for him and, using her physics knowledge, rolls a spinner slowly down the lane to spare. The surprising win leads to an unexpected victory for West Appleton and validates the girls' perspective on strategy.

In the aftermath, Todd remarks that it doesn't feel fair for a school to be named after a bowling victory. The comment highlights the complexity of winners' rewards beyond sports. The group contemplates a more balanced approach to the town's identity.

Alex and his friends propose a compromise to name the new school Appleton Central. The choice reflects a desire to unite the two cities beyond a single game. The resolution closes the rivalry on a note of cooperation and shared identity.