Jaguars’ boys, girls bowlers off to strong start to season

By WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Correspondent

Jackson Memorial High School’s girls’ bowling team, which won the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV title last March, and its boys team are off to solid starts in the young season.

Both will be put to the test again Jan. 2 when they compete in the annual Brick Tournament. Brick Township High School’ girls won the Tournament of Champions title, with Jackson Memorial finishing right behind, in March. Three players return from that Jackson Memorial team, led by junior Aimee Sherman, who was seventh in the Shore Conference last year with an average of 194.

“She’s very skilled and knows the game inside and out,” Jackson Memorial girls coach Brian Tart said. “She’s extremely polished.”

Also back in the lineup are seniors Alexa Asta, who has bowled consistently throughout the season, and Jessica Ormsby, a streaky hot bowler who can string strikes when she gets momentum. They have led the Jaguars to a hot streak of late as they come into the week 12-6.

Jackson Memorial was swept Dec. 21 in a showdown with leading contender Howell High School. Tart remained upbeat regarding the long season that goes into March.

“They’re all capable of bowling a 220, 230 game any night,” Tart said.

Sophomore Jenna Waldron and senior left-hander Jamilia Nobles have broken into the lineup. Freshman Erin Logan also has been in the mix.

“We need to keep improving and for the top three to carry us to the end of the season. That’s the hope,” Tart said.

As for the boys team, they reeled off a 15-3 start coming into the Dec. 21 showdown against top contender Howell. Jackson Memorial’s boys showed their skill when they blistered Ocean Lanes with a 3,772 triplicate in qualifiers — the second highest score behind Brick Memorial High School — in the Roll with the Indians Tournament. The Jaguars placed fifth overall. Freshman Brad Aumann lost a bid for a 300 game on his 11th ball and ended with a 286 in qualifiers. Senior Anthony Sranka at one stretch hit eight strikes in a row. Sranka and Aumann are in the No. 2 and No. 4 spots, respectively. Junior Steven Gold leads it off, senior Nick DeGaetano is the No. 3 bowler and junior Steve Nicholsen anchors the lineup.

DeGaetano bowled a 223 despite an injured finger when the boys dropped two of three games against Howell. Paul Allen, a junior, stepped into the lineup for Nicholsen and bowled well.

The boys team earlier in December finished fourth in the Bob James Winter Classic at Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick behind Gold and Nicholsen and were as high as second place in the team standings in the latter stages.