Hawks Girls Bowling Coach 'Proud' As He Looks Back on Strong Season

The Manchester High School girls bowling team may have recently failed to win its second state title in three years, but their coach looks toward the bright side.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the way they represented themselves and their school this year," coach Mike McCrae said.

The Hawks lost the title to their Shore Conference rival, the Brick Dragons, in the Tournament of Champions final at Carolier Lanes on Feb. 14. 

McCrae said that, despite losing some veteran players, he is hopeful that next year's they can continue the team's winning tradition.

"We will be losing two senior starters, Lisa Marie DeSimone and Amanda DeMauro. ... But we still have some untapped depth, and I am looking forward to next year and to watching the 2011-12 Lady Hawks take flight," he said.

The Hawks made their third straight appearance in the Tournament of Champions after a successful postseason run in a year that saw the team claim their third Shore Conference A South title and the NJSIAA Group II title.

The championship came down to a best-of-5 baker set between the two schools that spent much of the season battling each other for supremacy in the conference.

 McCrae found it appropriate that it came down to these two schools for the state title. 

“The girls from both teams have been great friends and strong competitors all season. It just seemed fitting, based on the season we had together, that we would both reach the final game," he said.

Manchester won the first game before Brick claimed the next two to take a 2-1 edge.  The Hawks would fight off elimination in the fourth game before dropping the fifth and deciding game, 200-168.

The Hawks also were represented at the individual Tournament of Champions, where Julie Taylor finished 14 in the state.