OCEAN TOWNSHIP
W ith two matches remaining,
Ocean Township High School’s boys bowling team has already clinched its fourth straight Shore Conference Class A Central title. The Spartans now have their collective eye on the upcoming Monmouth County and Shore Conference tournaments.
Coach Tom Siciliano’s team lost four key seniors from a team that went undefeated for the second year in a row and won the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II Tournament for the third time in four seasons. Despite the graduations, this year’s edition has posted a 32-1 mark. The one defeat came at the hands of division rival Manasquan High School, and it was the Spartans’ first loss since the 2010-11 campaign.
Two big reasons for this success are Kenny Ryan and David Enny. Ryan, who led A Central in average the past three years, is once again on top, averaging 224 pins. The talented lefty has four 700-plus series to his credit, including a 799 against Wall High School, during which he rolled games of 263, 277 and 259. His high game of 279 pins is tops in A Central, along with the 799 series.
Enny, meanwhile, is averaging 198 pins, which is good for third in the division and a 15-pin increase over a year ago. A threeyear starter, Enny posted a 686 series against Manasquan, which included a 238- pin game. In all, he has surpassed the 600 mark for a series five times this winter.
“Our big guys have been doing what we expected of them and more,” Siciliano said. “They’re experienced bowlers and they’ve taken the lead. Ryan is having another outstanding season, and Enny has really stepped it up.”
The coach was quick to point out that several other players are having solid campaigns for his team. Jeff Diament, a senior who saw some action last year and has come on strong of late, has averaged 170 pins — a 30-pin increase. He has a 631 series to his credit.
Another senior, Jacob Vernick, started strong and is averaging 168 pins. Vernick has seen limited duty in recent matches due to illness. Kevin Davis has worked hard to earn a starting nod this season. The junior has a 162 average. Freshman Brian Davis is now seeing more action, and he has responded with a 154-pin average.
“Most of these guys have been on the team, and they’ve just been waiting for their chance. And now that they have it, they’re making the most of it,” Siciliano said. “To have a freshman step in and do well has been a big plus, too.”
Ocean Township was scheduled to square off against Neptune High School on Jan. 27 and will finish the regular season on Jan. 30 against Point Pleasant Borough High School. The Spartans have defeated both of those teams twice this season.
Then it’s on to the county and Shore Conference tournaments, both of which will have each team play three qualifying games, with the top four teams moving on to the Baker-style semifinals and finals. After the Shore, the Central Jersey Group II Tournament gets underway on Feb. 8.
“We just want to get in the top four and take it from there,” the coach said. “If we bowl like we’re capable of bowling, we can win. Then we’d really like to win another state sectional.”