The South Brunswick High School girls bowling team surprised a lot of people this year. According to Coach Tara Burniston, the girls even surprised themselves.
South Brunswick finished its season this past week with a record of 13-3-2. South Brunswick also added a third place in the state sectionals and a second in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.
"I think at the beginning of the year, the girls didn't have very high asperations," Burniston noted. "I don't think in the back of their minds they imagined they would get to the finals of the GMC."
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South Brunswick was an undefeated state champion last season. At the end of last season, however, South Brunswick graduated five members of its team, including the three girls with the highest averages.
"This was a big time rebuilding year," Burniston said. "I'm very proud of the girls. To come back and do as well as we did record wise and to make the finals of the GMC was quite an accomplishment."
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South Brunswick was able to reach the finals of the GMC by defeating Monroe in the quarterfinals and Cardinal McCarrick in the semifinals.
On Feb. 7, South Brunswick defeated Monroe, 2-0, in a best-of-three format. South Brunswick won the first game, 864-803. South Brunswick clinched the win with an 806-743 win in the second game.
Justine Bleacher bowled games of 194 and 188. Pratyusha Chamarti bowled games of 148 and 158. Maxine Deines bowled games of 161 and 178. Allison Zimmitti bowled games of 160 and 161. Brianne Font bowled games of 170 and 121. Ashley Tancredi bowled games of 179 and 106.
In this format, the low score is thrown out in each game. The remaining five scores form the team score.
On Feb. 8, South Brunswick defeated Cardinal McCarrick, 2-0. South Brunswick won the first game, 893-788. South Brunswick then clinched the win with an 849-823 victory in the second game.
"You always want to come out and make sure you win that first game," Burniston said. "If you don't, anything can happen. You can bowl well and the other team can just put together a great game."
Justine Bleacher bowled games of 179 and 166. Pratyusha Chamarti bowled games of 176 and 180. Maxine Deines bowled game sof 161 and 194. Brianne Font bowled games of 121 and 143. Ashley Tancredi bowled games of 155 and 133. Allison Zimmitti bowled games of 222 and 166.
In the finals on Feb. 9, North Brunswick defeated South Brunswick, 2-0. North Brunswick won the first game, 910-756. North Brunswick won the second game, 1,018-905.
"That first game was a little disappointing," Burniston said. "We bowled a lot better in the second game. The girls did really well."
This was just a matter of going up against a very good team.
"They are an excellent team," Burniston noted of North Brunswick. "They were good last year and they didn't lose anyone. You knew they were going to be a really good team this year."
South Brunswick will only be graduating Allison Zimmitti and Ashley Tancredi.
"I think the underclassmen are starting to look forward to next year to see what they can do as a team," Burniston said.
One player that doesn't have to look forward to next year yet is Justine Bleacher, who will compete in the individual state championships on Feb. 16. Each of the girls that qualify will bowl three games. The field will be cut to 18 bowlers, who will bowl three more games. The top five bowlers will then compete in a step ladder format.
"It's been a great year," Burniston said.
It could get even greater on Feb. 16.
