I hope at this point that everyone realizes that speculating on the individual tournament is pure folly - it's very much an "any given day" situation with so much talent in the room. That said, the boys I'm listing are the most likely to have that big day at Bowlero, in my opinion. I'll also predict that at least one bowler I don't list here will make the stepladder (two did it last year).
So, here's my list of the ten most likely contenders for the Boys TOC title. This is based on season average, performance in sectionals, and tournament track record over the course of the season. It ain't scientific, but I think it's objective, and I hope nobody takes it too seriously and gets offended; it's just my moderately educated opinion.
Note: this was written before the team TOC.
Anyway, in alphabetical order, the top ten contenders:
Sam Bortnick, Sr., East Brunswick
The leader of the state's best team has done very well for himself, averaging 226, and he's always bowled well at Carolier. Bowlero, too.
John Boughton, Jr., Brick Memorial
Won individual gold at both RWTI and the Snowball, he's the #2 team's #1 tournament threat, averaging a tremendous 218 over 23(!) tourney games.
Ryan Carlisi, Sr., Steinert
Defending champ looked good competing at Team USA trials in January; looked pretty good shooting 803 at Central Sectional, too.
Johann Gamo, Jr., Clifton
Really gets it going in tournaments, where he's averaged 219, including 2nd place in North Jersey Singles.
Daniel Lenk, Jr., East Brunswick
Seems like there's nothing this kid can't do on the lanes right now. Overall average of 242 is simply staggering. GMC individual champ, too.
Derek Lewandowski, Sr., Ridgefield Park
Great comeback story after missing most of the season. Averaging 229 in 16 games since rejoining his team, including 709 at sectionals.
Michael Liu, So., Livingston
Nobody is hotter right now. Liu has bowled in 3 tournaments. He came in first in all three, with a cumulative average of 247.
Joseph Mahoney, Fr., Park Ridge
Often we find a freshman excelling in the state finals who doesn't know he's not supposed to be this good yet. Here's one. Hammer has been terrific in tournaments, averaging 223 over 11 games.
Joey Steele, Jr., Sussex Tech
222 average, leading one of the hottest teams out there, including a title in the Sparta NYE tournament.
Evan Weinberg, Sr., Dayton
Four years of being one of the best around ends here. Made last year's stepladder, averages over 230, won the Union, 2nd at Wheeler.
And ten more, just because I don't know when to quit:
Kyle Bauter, Jr., Manasquan
Jason Bilawsky, So., Woodbridge
Alec Hehir, Sr., Brick Memorial
Dan Kenny, Jr., Maple Shade
Rob Murray, Sr., Morris Knolls
Matt Myers, Sr., & Brian Skettini, So., Ridgewood
Kyle Oliveri, Sr., Toms River South
Eddie Ross III, Absegami
Nick Thies, Sr., Jefferson
Jordan Tse, Sr., Demarest
Yes, I cheated, but Myers & Skettini have the same overall average for the same team, and went 700-699 at sectionals. I'm really supposed to pick just one?
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