WINNERS: Two days after defeating the Mariners in the state sectional tournament, the Southern Regional boys bowling team defeated Toms River North 3-0 on February 21 to earn the Shore Conference South A division title. Southern Athletics provided the image.
Particularly in bowling, momentum can be all that matters at times.
When Howell, the sixth-seeded team in NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4, defeated the top-seeded Rams in two games at 30 Strikes Lanes in Stratford on February 22, Southern Regional boys bowling coach Tony Salvatore commented, “I was worried about them.” I knew they would be difficult to defeat if they maintained their recent hot streak. The whole time, we had to be at the top of our game. They bowled really well, but we bowled okay.
The Rebels entered the final round fired up and immediately stepped on the throttle after destroying second-seeded Monroe and third-seeded Freehold Township in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Regretfully, the Rams were unable to stay up.
Senior Mike Wade, who had played flawlessly the day before at Ocean Lanes as the Rams won the Shore Conference South A division title, said, “We had practiced this oil pattern before, but in a different house, and we had a big day on Friday, so we were confident.” We lost because we made some foolish spares early. They gained momentum because they’ve been extremely hot lately. They shot far better than their averages, but we bowled brilliantly.
Southern’s effectiveness in making spares was around 20% lower than Howell’s, which scored in around 85% of its five bowlers’ frames through the fourth. They were several dozen pins behind when all five Rams hit in the fifth. There was no slowing down of the Rebels. Even though Salvatore’s crew gained 23 of 25 points from the fifth through the ninth frames, they were ahead by almost 100 pins by the ninth frame.
Wade finished with an 181, five pins ahead of Braeden Shaffery, while Lucas Files and Maxx Jauch had games of 192 and 191, respectively. K.C. Hallihan struck out in the tenth to finish with a team-leading 223. In the end, Howell won the first game by 138 and amassed 1,101 pins, which carried over into the second game.
TOSS IT: In the second game of the Rams’ matchup with Howell in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 championship, Braeden Shaffery, a senior from Southern, scored 215 points. Southern lost 2-0 and was eliminated. (Image courtesy of David Biggy)
With Hallihan crushing every strike, Wade and Files each recording three strikes, and Shaffery and Jauch combining for seven of eight marks, the Rams’ marking efficiency during the opening four frames of the second quarter was significantly higher. Despite having fewer pins for the opening five frames, the Rebels were equally strong and managed to stay within striking distance.
Southern has a narrow 17-pin advantage with two frames remaining. Two opens on the Rams lanes proved to be the difference as the Rebels triumphed 1,070-1,025 as Howell’s bowlers found their sweet spots and earned more strikes than spares. Wade scored 233 in the end, Shaffery hit 215 pins, Hallihan scored 209, Files scored 201, and Jauch scored 167.
Salvatore stated, “I knew the lanes would break down a little, so I thought we’d get them in the second game, but their guys made big shots.” They were completely dark during that second game, but we were right there. In the second game, they hardly had an opening. They made the shots when they needed to, and it came down to the final two frames.
The Rams easily defeated fourth-seeded Toms River North at Thunderbird Lanes on February 19 (993-899, 1,124-858) to secure their place in the championship game. To take the lead, Hallihan scored 224 and 241 runs, Shaffery scored 201 and 242, and Wade scored 214 and 216 runs. Files peaked at 191 in the opening game, while Jauch’s high game of 243 resulted in a two-game series of 406.
SMOOTH AS SILK: Mike Wade, a senior at Southern, became the second Ram this season to fire a perfect game, which occurs for the first time in the program’s history. (Image courtesy of David Biggy)
Southern ended the regular season and won the division title by defeating North 3-0 two days later. Wade kicked off the celebration of a Southern first by announcing the Rams’ second 300 of the season, another Southern first.
Wade remarked, “I was really happy that it happened, especially since it was Senior Night.” I knew I was getting it the moment I threw that final ball, but I was less anxious because I had already experienced it. In addition to being thrilled since it was the first time in school history that two bowlers threw 300 in the same season, it was pleasant to finish high school in that house.
With a 300-216-165 set to lead the 681 series, Wade took the lead. After games of 156, 232, and 232, Shaffery finished his high school career at Ocean Lanes with a 620 series, while Hallihan finished with a 595 series after games of 221, 184, and 190. The other senior, Jauch, scored games of 191, 176, and 190 for a 557 series, while sophomore Mike Gatto had a great day in the varsity squad, finishing with games of 194, 201, and 198 for a 593 series.
The season was fantastic. Shaffery, who will play in the state individual tournament at Bowlero in North Brunswick on Thursday, February 27, along with Wade, Hallihan, and Files, remarked, “This is the best season we’ve had in a long time.” However, from my freshman year till now, I have loved every season I have played for the squad. I’ve had the best time of my life with this team during the last four years. It has been lovely. This gang of guys is amazing. Sal has never had a better team, and I have never had a better collection of friends.
Salvatore concurred.
Since I’ve been coaching, this is the best team I’ve ever had, he remarked. This season, only one other school in the state has managed to win a division and post two 300s, which these guys did for the first time. That final victory over North was a great way to end the season, and defeating the Brick and Toms River teams to win the division speaks something.
David Biggy
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