SBHS boys came to the forefront in the post-season

By: James McKeever
   After a disappointing regular season, the South Brunswick High boys bowling team finished the 2006-07 campaign on a high note that left all involved feeling upbeat.
   The Vikings put together a 5-11-3 record, which included a 1-1 mark in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament. This came after a 15-10-1 showing in 2005-06, and the Vikings had several key bowlers back from that team.
   South Brunswick actually produced a higher team average this winter as compared to a year ago. The difference in the Vikings’ record: The GMC is a powerhouse conference and the competition got a lot better.
   "Our average for a game was 971 and last year it was 960," coach Brian Burniston said. "But that says a lot about the GMC. It seems like every time you’re bowling against a really good team. And we were in all of our matches."
   South Brunswick’s best series of the season was a 3,111 and its high game was 1,115. Both came in a match against Edison in December.
   Burniston said all season long that his team was capable of bowling with the best. He was waiting for that breakout performance. That day came on Feb. 10.
   Bowling in the NJSIAA Central Jersey sectional at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes, the Vikings captured the CJ Group IV title. They rolled a 3,056 to edge Howell by 28 pins and advance to the state finals. Of the 41 teams that competed in the sectional – broken into four groups – South Brunswick’s total pinfall was third highest.
   "I would have liked the regular season to have been better, but we won the sectional and we were bowling on the last day of the state high school bowling season," said Burniston. "You really can’t ask for more than that."
   The Vikings were led by Matt Forthun and Chris DeSouza all season. Both scored high enough in the sectionals to advance to the state individual finals.
   DeSouza, a junior, finished with a 215 average and was named to the GMC All-Red Division team and the GMC Bowling Coaches Association All-Conference first team.
   "Chris had a fantastic season," Burniston said. "He put up big numbers, was always good under pressure and seldom lost his concentration."
   Forthun, a senior who averaged 201, was the team captain and finished his career with a remarkable achievement. In four years on the varsity, he bowled every frame of every match South Brunswick played. Forthun was named to the GMC Coaches Association All-Conference second team. The last ball he threw in his career was a strike.
   "Bowling in the state finals was a fitting way for Matt to finish his career," Burniston said. "Matt was great for us. He was our leader. Losing him is going to hurt. He has been such a major part of this program."
   Forthun was the only senior on the team. Next season Burniston brings back DeSouza, juniors Matt Sichel (181) and Jared Kohutanycz (176), along with sophomores Franco Valentino (181) and Brandon Irey (168). Freshman David Sutton, who saw some varsity frames this year, will also be competing for a spot.
   "Losing Matt is tough, it’s not easy to replace a 200 average," said Burniston. "But we have three guys going into their senior years and they’ll need to step up. And I think Chris is ready to step into the role of team leader."