The Howell High School boys bowling team picked the right time to put it all together.
The Rebels rolled up a scored of 3,108 to top St. John Vianney High School (2,916) by almost 200 pins to win the Monmouth County championship for the second straight year. Manalapan was third (2,872) and Freehold Township was fourth (2,767). The county tournament was held at Howell Lanes in Howell.
Matt DiGirolamo led the Rebels’ effort with a high game of 256 and a three-game series of 691. Anthony Marino, Kyle Bauer, Frank Vitarelle and Nick Caporaso completed the championship team.
Vitarelle, a freshman, has been the key newcomer to coach Dave Clampffer’s squad. He’s bowled a 290, tops in the Shore Conference B Division.
DiGirolamo, Bauer, Caporaso and Marino are all veterans of the 2008 team that captured the county championship.
St. John Vianney High School’s Chris Chiarello had the high game, 279, and high series, 709. DiGirolamo’s 256 was the thirdhighest game, and his 691 series was second to Chiarello.
Steve Kuback of Matawan Regional High School (258) rolled the second-highest game, and Keansburg’s Dale Barchewski had the third-highest series, 682.
Ocean Township spoiled Howell’s bid for a sweep of the boys and girls championships for a second straight year. The Spartans edged the Rebels 2,343 to 2,290 to take the title from the defending champions. St. John Vianney was third (2,284).
Ashley Baker paced Ocean Township with a high game of 211.
Arianna Mattera, Ashley Buck, Marissa Regad, Jessica Henri, Allison Savoye and Alexandra Garcia made up the Howell squad.
Keyport’s Alexa Guirk rolled the high game of the tournament, 215, just ahead of Baker (211). Long Branch’s Elizabeth Szaley was third (208) but was the most consistent bowler of the day, coming up with the high series, 522. Chelsea Newman of Manasquan was second, just seven pins behind, at 515. Freehold Township’s Nicole DiGiaimo had the third-highest series (511).
This week the Shore Conference Tournament will be held at Sea Girt Lanes. The SCT started on Feb. 10 and continues through today.
Howell hosted a warm-up tournament, the Rebel Challenge, on Feb. 9.
The Central Jersey boys state sectional will be held Saturday at Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick.
The girls’ state team finals will be held Monday. On Feb.18 the boys and girls individual state championships will be decided, and on Feb. 21 it will be the boys’ state team finals. All of the state tournaments are held at Carolier Lanes.