2017-18 Greater Middlesex Conference Boys Bowling Preview

Forget the state tournament.

Some of the best boys bowling in New Jersey chould take place throughout Greater Middlesex Conference lanes this winter. The GMC features loaded teams and top individuals, making the competitions ultra-competitive – and fun for fans.

To begin with, East Brunswick looks to defend its Tournament of Champions, Group IV, Central Group IV and GMCT titles. The Bears have a top-flight, one-two punch in senior Sam Bortnick, who averaged a 223 last season and who was the GMCT individual champion as a freshman, and junior Daniel Lenk (219 average). Also watch seniors Jack Deruvo (195 average) and Andrew Mai (189 average).

Last season, East Brunswick nipped fourth-seeded South Brunswick in the GMCT final, and then edged the Vikings by 14 pins in the Group IV tournament. While South Brunswick graduated All-Red Division Tyler Kohutanycz, the Vikings hope to again be in the mix led by junior All-Red Division pick Anthony Fama (202 average) and junior Nick Delacruz (197), senior Noah Li (192) and junior Matt Marich (183).

Then there’s Woodbridge junior James Stoveken, who has literally re-written the record books. The Home News Tribune Boys Bowler of the Year led the GMC with a 226.5 average and has bowled six 300 games in high school competition – three as a freshman and three as a sophomore. That’s the most ever for a high school bowler, according to the U.S. High School Bowling Foundation, which keeps national records. His CV last season included bowling a 299 for the high game in the Bob James Holiday Classic.

He’ll be joined by All-White Division picks in senior John Drost, who had the high game (268) at the Westfield Invitational and flexed a 205 average, and junior Joseph Palmer, who had a 198.6 average. While the Barrons graduated All-GMC Kyle Bilawsky, his sophomore brother Jason Bilawsky returns (201 average), as are juniors Jeremy Soto (192 average) and Alex Silva (182).

Last season, Woodbridge won the GMC White Division and captured team titles at the Bob James Holiday Classic, the Westfield Invitational, the Brick Tournament, the Woodbridge Classic and the Simon Baker Challenge.

For all that star power, it was Monroe that won the Group III and Central Group III titles ahead of Woodbridge. The Falcons return All-Conference pick Louis Folgore (220 average) and All-Red Division selection Ryley McKiernan (200 average), who both qualified for the NJSIAA individual tournament.

One of the most pressure-tested, coolest customers is J.P. Stevens junior Cameron LaPlant (219.5 average). He captured the GMCT individual championship last season after taking second as a freshman. Also watch South Plainfield’s Angelo Salici, an All-GMC pick with a 215 average and a third-place GMCT finish.

So, which team and bowler will emerge with the most hardware?

Well, that is anyone’s guess, but it should certainly be fun along the way.

Bishop Ahr

Last Year’s Record: 12-4

Returning Starter: Kyle Heyman, junior, 191 average

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Donovan Rivera, freshman

Noted Achievement Last Year: Tied for the GMC Blue Division Championship; Kyle Heyman made All-Division team

Notes: The Trojans graduated five of their six starters from last season.

Carteret

Last Year’s Record: 4-14

Returning Starters: Spencer Fabe, junior, 176 average; Michael Gurzynski, sophomore, 170; Joe Abadilla, junior, 136

Notes: The Ramblers have a young team and hope to develop two more solid bowlers to round out the starting five. Coach Nick Panos expects the three returning starters to improve their numbers from last winter, and noted that Abadilla has the ability to jump from his 136 average to an 185 or better average through his hard work in the offseason.

Colonia

Last Year’s Record: 8-9-2

Returning Starters: Stephen Cracchiolo, senior, 185 average; Tyler Wolff, senior, 146; CJ Miller, junior, 180; Will Orak, junior, 169

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Pankaj Shah, senior; Jason Weber, sophomore; Patrick Lambert, freshman; Colin McBride, freshman

East Brunswick

Last Year’s Record: 14-3

Returning Starters: Sam Bortnick, senior, 223 average; Jack Deruvo, senior, 195; Andrew Mai, senior, 189; Daniel Lenk, junior, 219; Armen Shamim, sophomore, 181

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Zack Kim, freshman

Noted Achievement Last Year: Championship wins in the Joe Romer Tournament; GMC Tournament; NJISSA Central IV; Group IV; Tournament of Champions

Edison

Last Year’s Record: 8-7-2

Returning Starters: Jason Smith, senior, 199 average; Raleigh Gough, senior, 171; Joseph Banwer, junior, 194; Wyatt Buchany, junior, 189; Kien Nguyen, senior; Spencer Heisler, junior; Muhammad Khan, junior; Troy Began, sophomore

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: The four freshmen include Jose De La Barrera, Sohan Appalabhakaktula, Rishab Gera and Matthew Jeffreys.

J.F. Kennedy

Last Year’s Record: 14-4

Returning starter: Christopher Falcone, junior

Noted Achievement Last Year: GMC Blue Division Regular season winners.

J.P. Stevens

Last Year’s Record: 5-13

Returning starter: Cameron LaPlant, junior, 219.5 average; Brian McAdams, sophomore, 181.4; Dhilan Patel, senior, 174.1; Kaustubh Tiwari, junior, 157.3; Patrick Aurelio, sophomore 147.2; Oscar Chen, senior, 145.9; Jai Kumar, senior, 140.5; Dev Patel, junior, 130.1

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Aman Sharma, freshman

Noted Achievements Last Year: In addition to LaPlant winning the GMC individual tournament, he had the fourth-highest average in the GMC and placed second in the NJSIAA sectional and took 16th place in the individual state finals.

Monroe

Last Year’s Record: 9-5

Returning Starters: Joseph Hoehler, sophomore, 169 average; Louis Folgore, junior, 220; Devin Maddox, junior, 150; Ryley McKiernan, junior, 200; Tyler Kresan, senior, 172; Zac Waynor, senior, 180

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Jacob Chin, freshman; Doug Hoven, freshman

Noted Achievements Last Year: Group III Central champions and Group III state champions

New Brunswick

Last Year’s Record: 1-21

Returning starters: Wilson Gomez, senior; Bladimir Peralta Guzman, senior; Edgar Velazquez Cholula, sophomore ; Jeremy Peralta, senior; Christopher Huembes, senior

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: James Araiza, freshman

Old Bridge

Last Year's Record: 7-8-1

Returning Starters: Peter Mattson, senior, 181 average; Jason Young, junior, 175; Daniel Bogan, junior, 147; Shane Liptak, senior, 147

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Trevor Chahalis, sophomore; Dean Chumash, sophomore; Bruce Reiss, sophomore; Devin Burniston, freshman; Zachary Sanders, freshman

Noted Achievements Last Year: Placed second in the Warren Wheeler Tournament at Jersey Lanes

Perth Amboy

Last Year's Record: 2-12-2

Returning Starters: Justin Lugo, senior, high game of 279; Eric Bras, senior; Alex Nguyen, senior; Joel Roman, senior; Cesar Garriga, senior

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Tristan Hale, senior; Jamie Torres, sophomore

St. Joseph

Last Year: 13-4-1

Returning Starters: John Hoban, senior, 195 average; Conor Quigley, senior, 180; Justin Biancamano, senior, 195; John Reggio, senior, 186

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Zack Abbey, senior, 165 JV average; Brendan Sosinski, sophomore, 163 JV; Joey Maurer, sophomore, 162 JV; Chris Holgado, junior, 157 JV; Patrick Quigley, sophomore, 125 JV

Noted Achievements Last Year: The Falcons won their second straight Central Group II title and took third for the second year in Group II.  

South Brunswick

Last Year’s Record: 15-3-2

Returning Starters: Anthony Fama, junior, 202 average; Nick Delacruz, junior, 197; Noah Li, senior, 192; Matt Marich, junior, 183

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Chris Germain, freshman; Thomas Lepore, freshman.

Others looking for varsity spots: Todd Appleby, sophomore; Matthew Benson, sophomore; Peter Hanna, sophomore; Jay Thaker, sophomore; Aayush Patel, junior

Noted Achievements Last Year: Second place finishes in the GMC Tournament, Central IV and Group IV

South Plainfield

Last Year’s Record: 10-6

Returning Starters: Ryan Berardi, senior, 179 average; Chris Lacasale, senior, 155; Mike Menkin, senior, 196; Angelo Salici; Shawn Boffard, sophomore, 175

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Tyler Berardi, junior; Justin Weber, sophomore

Noted Achievements Last Year: GMC Blue Division Tri-Champions

South River

Last Year's Record: 1-15

Returning Starters: Alex Paz, junior, 172 average; Brandon Castillo, senior, 141; Kyle Sporer, sophomore, 154; Steven Riha, junior, 115; Ryan, Bird, sophomore, 112

Newcomers Who Could Contribute Right Away: Jake Ramos, sophomore; Ian Obando, sophomore

Woodbridge

Last Year’s Record: 19-2

Returning Starters: John Drost, senior, 205; James Stoveken, junior, 226.5; Joseph Palmer, junior, 198.6; Alex Silva, junior, 182; Jeremy Soto, junior, 192; Jason Bilawsky, sophomore, 201; Anthony Polise, sophomore

Newcomers: Nicholas Simone, freshman; Matthew Muldowney, freshman; Giovanni Santiago, sophomore

Noted Achievements Last Year: The Barrons finished 17-1 in the regular season and won the GMC White Division. They shot 3536 against East Brunswick and 3528 against St. Joe’s which are the third and fourth highest team totals in school history. Woodbridge won five out of seven regular season tournaments. Additionally, Woodbridge placed second in the Central Jersey Winter Classic, the Joe Romer Memorial Classic, the Central III and Group III tournaments.