The game between the Brick Memorial High School and Brick Township High School boys bowling teams slated for Dec. 1 at Ocean Lanes was expected to be a typical power showdown in Shore ConferenceASouth between the cross-town rivals.
Brick Memorial’s boys won the NJSIAA Group IV championship, finishing third in the Tournament of Champions, and was the regular season champion in A South.
“The team was young last year, but [they] got a taste of it and love it and want it again,” coach Mike Russomano said. “They set goals that they want to repeat and finish off things they did not win.”
“It gave us a boost of confidence,” said veteran anchorman Domenick Luongo, whose 217 average was the fourth highest in A South. “We’re working as hard as we did last year. Just like last year in the sectional tournament, none of us made the singles championships and we still won the [team] title. We pick each other up.”
So keen is the team spirit that Brandon Barboza, a junior, cracked a 300 in his first game when practices began on Nov. 16.
“He’s bowled insane at the start of practices,” Russomano said.
The Mustangs and Brick Township, which also made the state championships in Group III last year, finishing in eighth place, each lose only one starter off last year’s teams. Both were state section champions — Brick Memorial in Group IV and Brick Township in Group III. It was Brick Memorial’s second section title in three years. They’ll also be competing in the Bishop Ahr Tournament on Dec. 5.
“Everything is looking good,” said Russomano, whose team won its first state title since the 2004 team under former coach Woody French. “The guys did really well in the offseason. Quite a few bowled all year.”
Brick Township coach Cara Lukosius said her team is about “50/50,” referring to players who bowled in leagues and with personal trainers year-round and those who did not.
“Some are playing other sports, so the skills of those who bowl all year are higher than those who do nothing, and you see their consistency in practices, fine-tuning their games,” she said. “But if you’re not bowling all year-round, that first match is unpredictable. We only have five practices before we open.”
Russomano said the success of last season has bolstered the enthusiasm of the returning players. Departed from last year’s team is Kyle Murphy, whose 218 average was second in Shore Conference A South, and Tommy Morris, who got opportune playing time.
But the four starters returning provide a solid nucleus — Barboza, and lefthanders Dominick Romano, a senior, Franklin Di- Giacomo, a junior, and Luongo, who was in third place in A South until the final day of the league schedule, when he ended up fourth.
“I wish I was left-handed,” Russomano said with a laugh. “That’s a definite advantage.”
Luongo recently competed in the Joe Goetz Tournament at Ocean Lanes. He won it both years it has been held.
“I just worked on improving everything overall and slowing it down,” Luongo said. “I want my footwork to be nice and easy, and I concentrate a little more.”
Russomano said the other members of his team are “pretty equal.”
“They’re all working hard,” he said.
Robert Cirks, a senior, saw some action last season and is in the mix for a starting spot with junior John Marshock and sophomore Matt Clark, who Russomano said has improved.
“He’s stepped up his game and is bowling really well,” Luongo said of Clark.
Brick Township is laden with seniors, with seven competing in practices for the five starting spots. Lukosius said there also are some underclassmen bowling well.
Mike Mellon is the lone starter from last year’s team that just missed the Shore Conference championships with a third-place finish in A South. Also back are seniors T.J. Contino, the anchorman again this year, who was fourth in average in A South with a 215; Joe Vescio; Doug Scelfo, and left-handed junior John Boor. Scelfo’s twin brother, Deven, also saw significant action last year along with senior Matt Fenley. Lukosius expects Contino and Vescio, who led off the lineup last year, to be the team leaders this season.
“We absolutely can do well,” Lukosius said. “They all have to come together, because it’s just about all the same kids. If they find it early on, they should have a pretty successful season.”
Seniors Nick Salerno and Zack Fernandez also are shooting for an opportunity to get some playing time along with junior Matt Barros, who Lukosius said could get varsity time too.
“He has worked hard on his game,” she said. SophomoresDavidDrobny andWillMarcrie give the team solid depth if some starters have illness or injury or have a rough day.