Bellmore-Merrick Boys Bowling Falls to Levittown

The Bellmore-Merrick boys bowling team came out slow in its Thursday match against Levittown-Division and were swept 11-0.  

With a normally stout line up led by Mepham senior Ricky Hough, an individual Nassau County champion in 2009-10 and runner up in 2008-09, the team couldn't find its groove in this pivotal match early in the season, being outscored by a total score of 2,279-2,090.  

"Today the guys just didn't have it," head coach Joe Bianca said. "We will definitely make some necessary adjustments from here."  

In the opening game, Calhoun seniors Scott Castellano and Dan Mueller bowled a 202 and 170, respectively. Calhoun junior Joe Cucinella collected a 122 and Hough added a 129.  Levittown took the early lead 706-623.  

Castellano bowled an impressive 259 in the next game to lead the team. Mueller bowled a 185, Calhoun junior Tom Bianco bowled a 171 and Hough bowled a 145. However, Levittown was able to take the commanding lead with a 824-760 advantage in the middle frame.  

Calhoun junior Anthony Belbo was put in the third game and bowled a solid 191. Kennedy junior Mike Anagnostopulous also was subbed into the final game and bowled a 167. Mueller and Castellano wrapped up their solid days with a 160 and 189, but Levittown completed the sweep with a 749-707 win.  

"Scott did a nice job today in figuring out his line," Bianca said. "He bowled solid in the first two games, and in the third game, he left a lot of 10 pins but picked up the spares and had a solid 189 there."  

Castellano was the one bright spot for Bellmore-Merrick Thursday in what was an uncharacteristic performance for the defending conference champions.  

"I just kept my head in the game today," Castellano said. "Despite this, I think we can easily win this conference again this year."  

Bellmore-Merrick drops to 1-1 on the young season; the team defeated MacArthur on Monday.

The team will try to regain its winning ways against Wantagh next Monday at 4:15 pm at South Levittown Lanes.