Section VI Bowling Preview

Last year was a successful year for bowling in Section VI. Two teams out of the four sectional champions made it to the NYSPHSAA Bowling Championships in Syracuse, along with a team of individual qualifiers. The West Seneca East boys, led by Head Coach Kevin Stablewski, and Depew Girls, led by Coach Raymond Cooper, were both champions in NYS. To quickly recap sectionals and the champions' regular season, I’ll start with the boys:

Class A Champions were Kenmore (6001 in 6 games) led by Will Harville with a 1260 (210 avg) and Noah Burgio with 1219 (203), both were Freshmen. In the regular season, Kenmore was led by Saban Coric with a 198 average. The team only suffered two losses, against Niagara Falls (1-6) and Lockport (3-4). Kenmore looks to build on its momentum from its trip to Syracuse last spring.

Class B was won by Grand Island (5839). Last year, the Class B champs in the regular season were 11-3 in the NFL. John Coram led GI with a 218 average (6th in Section VI at sectionals as a Pool Bowler). Grand Island finished 4th in Division 1 at Sectionals.

Eventual NYSPHSAA Champions West Seneca East won Class C. WSE had an amazing day at sectionals with a 6075 with only two games below 1,000. At AMF Strike N’ Spare in Syracuse, WSE Boys dominated the field, with a 6,482 for 6 games, The Trojans won states by 452 pins over 2nd place Waverly (Section 4). In the Regular season, WSE was a perfect 12-0 in ECIC South Large. The Trojans were led by Sophomore at the time now junior Joshua Zajac with a 219 average.

Class D was won by Falconer, led by Head Coach Emily Narraway. Seniors Nic Houston, Damen Vincent, and Brayden Scott, the Golden Falcons led Class D with 5834, they had control of the Class all day, leading 2nd place Salamanca by 619 pins. In the Regular Season, Falconer was 10-0-2 in CCAA Division 1. Nic Houston led the Golden Falcons squad with a 206, in the season he did throw a perfect game.

Boys Composite team for Section VI was Robert Kozlowski III (Dunkirk), Braiden Roba (Clarence), Charles Cain (North Tonawanda), Nicolas Galligan (Grand Island), John Coram (Grand Island). This team came in third behind Section 11 (Champions) and Section 5.

Boys teams to watch this year: Niagara Falls, Frontier, and Clarence.

Girls Champions and Recaps:

Class A Frontier (5378) won class A by 50 pins exactly. Frontier in the regular season competed in ECIC South Large and went a perfect 12-0, led by freshman Madison Ciminelli with a 190 average. Madison had a strong day at sectionals as well tied for 7th with 1179. The Falcons have a strong young core that will be able to carry them for years to come.

Class B and Section VI Division 1 champions that went to Syracuse were the North Tonawanda Lady Lumberjacks. Led by Bridget Cake (who came in 2nd overall in section VI) the Lumberjacks showed a strong showing at airport lanes in February with a 5468. At States, the Lady Lumberjacks came in third with a 5492. Bridget Cake was 6th in the state with a 1209 series. In the Regular Season, the Lady Lumberjacks were undefeated in the Niagara Frontier League with a 14-0 record. Cake was the anchor with a 200 average followed by Emma Snowman with a 187 avg.

Class C- The Depew Girls were the victors along with a NYSPHSAA championship. In February, the Wildcats picked up the win with a 5238 in 6 games. In Syracuse, Depew was the champs by 132 pins, rolling 5376 in 6 games. Depew had a strong regular season as well in ECIC North Small division. The Lady Wildcats were 10-0 and led by freshman Madison Nagel with a 180 avg.

When talking to Head Coach Raymond Cooper about states, he mentioned it was key to establish confidence, “The number of unknowns was undaunting, especially being paired with the back-to-back state champions in the first three games.” Depew looks to carry its momentum from last year, as mentioned to WNY Athletics by Coach Cooper “The girls this year have not stopped (bowling) since. From going to nationals to bowling individual tournaments and making the junior gold team, are just some of the accomplishments since last year's championship. This girl's bowling team is ready for this year.”

Class D was won by Hinsdale with a 4895. Hinsdale last year was led by sophomore Madison Rondeau with a 192 average in the regular season. At Sectionals, Rondeau shot 1357 to win the individual section vi title and go on the section's composite team. Hinsdale was 14-0 in CCAA Division 3 and 12-0 in Class D play. Hinsdale is the small school to watch for girls bowling this upcoming season.

The Composite team also won states. The Composite team was victorious by 23 pins with a total of 6378 in 6 games. The all-sectional team was led by Jamestown’s Abby Derby, who shot 1387 to place third overall in the state for composite bowlers.

Section 6 girls composite team: Madison Rondeau (Hinsdale), Abbie Derby (Jamestown), Allie Ventry (Niagara Falls), Wynter Winkfield (Amherst), and Kelly Coram (Grand Island).

Large School team to watch: North Tonawanda, Frontier, and Clarence 

Small School: Depew and Hinsdale 

Photo Credit Jeremy Becker and Alyssa Stenstrom