Branson tops the field at Maple Bowl tournament

By: Sean Moylan
   If there was any doubt as to who was the best bowler in Burlington County so far this season, Ryan Branson, a Bordentown junior, ended all speculation when he rolled the top series (718) and game (268) at Friday’s Maple Bowl Holiday Tournament.
   "He took home the top honors for the tournament," said first-year Coach Ron Jones of his star bowler.
   As a team Bordentown finished in second place with a 2944 pin count, just 2 pins behind Washington Township.
   Meanwhile, Leon Mack shot a 647 series. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, Branson only received one actual award for his high series.
   Bordentown’s Samantha Todd rolled a 196 game, which was just 2 pins short of earning an individual medal. Bordentown’s girls placed seventh overall out of 23 teams.
   Both Bordentown squads "bowled" over their Holy Cross opponents 4-0 at the Brunswick Zone on Monday afternoon.
   Branson sparked the Scotties to victory with a high series of 681, which featured a 252 high game. Senior T.J. McGonigal rolled a 216 game for the victors while teammate Rusty Miller had a high game of 202. Bordentown dominated with a 2901-2435 edge in pins.
   "All I can say is we’re better bowlers," said Jones.
   On the girls’ side freshman phenom Kim Limani was the main story for the Scotties with both the high series (524) and the high game (193). However, Amanda Casey rolled a sterling 192 game while Melissa Jones cam through with 167 game in Bordentown’s big 2176-1513 win.
   On Tuesday night Branson was "on" again with a 279 high game in a 619 high series in Bordentown’s easy 4-0 (2887-2633) win over Rancocas Valley, a good team.
   "He’s (Branson) averaging probably around 208 maybe even 210," said Jones.
   However, Tuesday night’s victory over Rancocas Valley was a pure team effort. Mack rolled another outstanding series (607 with a 223 high game) and senior John Dansbury rolled a 228 game.
   Furthermore when the Scotties got hot—they got hot as a team.
   "Over the seventh, eighth and ninth frames the boys strung together 12 straight strikes in the second game," said Jones.
   Bordentown’s girls were not nearly as fortunate as RV took that match 3-1. Nonetheless, Limani did roll a 520 series (with a 205 game) and Casey had a 210 game in defeat.
   The Bordentown boys’ team is a perfect 7-0 while the girls’ team is 5-2. Both squads will be off until January 6. Hopefully, they can keep their edge over the holidays.
   NBC



   Sophomore sensation Rich Mellor rolled games of 212 and 210 in his 584 series to lead the Northern Burlington County Regional High School boys’ varsity bowling team to a 4-0 win against Westampton Tech on Tuesday at Laurel Lanes.

   Junior Bill Moore posted a high game of 193 for the Greyhounds, who took the overall pin count 2520-2103. Freshman Dan Purdy also impressed NBC Coach Bruce Wandling with his 452 series.

   "Dan Purdy . . . he’s bowled in our last two matches," said Wandling, who tweaks his lineup here and there when a bowler gets on a hot streak.

   NBC’s girls captured a 3-1 decision over Westampton, mostly on the strength of junior Nicole Urig’s 521 series (173, 158, 190).

   Lindsey Webster, one of NBC’s four fabulous freshmen, rolled a 441 series with a 157 high game and junior Kylie Crowshaw had a 430 series.

   Last week both NBC teams competed in the Maple Bowl Holiday Tournaments, but neither squad did as well as it had done in recent years.

   "We didn’t finish in the Top 10 on either side," noted Wandling.

   Moore, however, did put together a pair of games over 200 in the Holiday tourney.

   The Greyhound boys are 2-1-1 (1-1 in the league) while the Greyhound girls are 3-1-1 (2-0 in the league). NBC is scheduled to be off until January 4.