By Warren Rappleyea
Although its record stands at just 1-3, things are looking up for North Brunswick Township High School’s boys’ bowling team.
The Raiders won just once a year ago but look to be very competitive this time around. Coach Amiee McCormick’s squad bested New Brunswick High School and lost a pair of close decisions to Edison High School and Sayreville War Memorial High School.
“We’re very excited about the team” the coach said. “Against both Edison and Sayreville, we lost the first game, won the second and then lost the third. We were right there. We ended up losing to Edison by just 12 pins.”
North Brunswick boasts a much-improved lineup headed by junior David Burrows, who averaged nearly 190 pins a year ago. Thus far, Burrows has already rolled a 600-plus pin series and is averaging in the high 190-pin range.
Sophomore Gavin Lugo has been solid as well. After averaging about 175 pins last winter, Lugo has already posted two 200-pin plus games, and McCormick expects him to continue to improve as the season progresses. Sophomores Matthew Luguori and Alex Bursac, along with freshman Nick Farah, have been averaging about 160 pins in the early going. Bursac has a 642 series against Edison and Liguori, who also started last season, contributed a 594-pin series against Sayreville.
Senior Michael Caraballo, who returned to the team after taking a year off, and promising freshman left-hander Kendal Fields round out the roster.
North Brunswick’s girls, meanwhile, are 2-1 with wins over both Sayreville and New Brunswick. Trinity Gray, who averaged 170 pins last winter, is off to a strong start. The junior had a 610 series in the win against New Brunswick and has become a powerful force at the top of the Raiders’ lineup.
Another junior, Carly Lodise, is also poised for a strong campaign. She averaged about 150 pins as a sophomore and has already posted a 462 series in the win over Sayreville. Christine Caballero is also a regular starter. The senior has been averaging about 140 pins in the early going.
McCormick plans to shuffle several other bowlers in and out of the lineup. They are seniors Aissatou Diallo, Ami Patel, Laura Ramos and Yadirah Wilson.
The coach said the girls will be competitive and should best last season’s 7-11 record.