WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: BOYS BOWLING

Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 25 Dec 2011

It seems as if whenever the idea of vulnerability is perceived, or even pondered, East Islip releases a memo: “Pfft!”

The defending Suffolk boys bowling champs are rebuilding and returned only one starter . . . so eighth-grader Mike Orobello bowls a 300 last Tuesday.

The Big Red Machine continues to churn out great teams, and this year’s group is led by sophomore Jacob Klein, along with Mike Kissel, Jon Cheadle and Nick DeFazio.

“They’ve bowled well before, but they don’t have much experience under pressure,” Redmen coach Rick Papandrea said. “But we had a similar situation in 2003 and won counties. The challenge is making them believe.”

Another challenge is Smithtown, last year’s runner-up, which returns several key bowlers. The Bulls are led by Gregg Reed (223 average), Frank Masone and Stephen Diehl. 

Sachem East, the 2009 champ, is led by All-Long Island Steve Sabella, eighth-grader Nick Caruana (227) and Matt Hecker.

Mike Karolewski and Austin Smokler should have Longwood in contention. Middle Country lost Matt Skalacki, who last season set the single-season record with a 232.7 average, but the team has depth with five bowlers averaging more than 200. Among them are Andrew Rosenblatt, Bryan Dragotta and Tim Murray.

With Julian Valdaro, Bay Shore could be a sleeper, as could Islip (Mike Kovarick), Lindenhurst (Josh Sposito), Central Islip (Matt Giantamasso) and Floyd (Mike Cahill).

Longwood 3, Riverhead 0: Nick Minichello bowled 253 in Game 2 of a 672 series and Austin Smokler rolled 244 and 236 in a two-game series for Longwood(League III) in a 1,028-840, 1,’-862, 1,026-848 win. Nov. 30

Longwood 1078 990 1097 Connetquot 888 996 894. Dec. 6

Longwood 1084 1113 985 2 Sachem East 1052 982 1058 1. Dec. 9

Floyd 967 961 980 2 Longwood 904 1015 935 1. Dec. 14

Riverhead 782 918 869 2 Longwood 800 824 742 1. Jan. 4

Longwood 1024 910 1033 2 Connetquot 902 929 946 1. Jan. 6

Sach East 1087 1080 992 3 Longwood 1014 985 957 0. Jan. 12

Longwood 1031 981 1023 2 Floyd 1074 907 969 1. Jan. 13

Longwood 925 1018 1046 2 W Melville 970 882 949 1. Jan. 19

Longwood 2, Patchogue-Medford 1: Mitchell Pincus had 279 in the first game of a 649 series to lead Longwood (8-4) in a 1017-1104, 1105-1091, 960-934 win in League III. Anthony Evangelista bowled a 299 in game one of a 701 series for Patchogue-Medford. Jan. 20

Longwood 1017 1105 960 2 Pat-Med 1104 1091 934 1. Jan. 20

Longwood 953 954 885 3 Smithtown 824 715 596 0. Jan. 24