Consistency needed for Amherst boys bowling
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Amherst Central’s boys bowling team finished 2-8 in ECIC Division II last year but coach Jason Beckman hopes consistency will help the team succeed in ECIC III.

“Each of our bowlers has the ability to throw a big game at any time,” said Beckman. “We don’t rely on just one team member for that... Consistency will be key this season. We need to bowl our best games when they are needed the most.”

Beckman said Amherst’s main goal is to focus on one shot at a time.

“When you do this consistently, the big picture will take care of itself,” he added. “We obviously strive to win each time we step onto the lanes but we are also interested in getting better each week and developing a positive team environment.”

Although Beckman has no set “A” and “B” teams as of this writing, his top four bowlers for each team include seventh grader Eric Michalski (205 average), sophomore Justin Garus (186), junior Brandon Jeffords (169) and sophomore Dean Snyder (164) on “A” and juniors Kyle Schmidt (164), Chris Oliver (159) and Corey Rotterman (149) and sophomore Sean Stein (134) on “B”. Schmidt and Oliver both received most improved team awards last season.

Beckman said big team strengths are hard work and camaraderie.

“Many of them have been together for two to three years and are very supportive of each other,” said Beckman.

Beckman thinks his team believes that they can compete with any team in ECIC III.

“We’re not going into any match with the idea of just keeping it close and we want to see improvement each week,” said Beckman.

At the Maryvale Holiday Tournament, Michalski had a high set of 626 and high game of 243. Schmidt and Oliver shot 233 each.

In a 4½-2½ loss against Tonawanda, Garus shot 631 (176, 234, 221) and Jeffords (246).
                              Amherst Central
                            2006-07 Schedule
12-13 at Pioneer................................... 4:30 p.m. (Arcade)
1-3 at Depew ................................... 4:30 p.m. (Broadway)
1-8 Cheektowaga .................................................. 4:30 p.m.
1-10 Springville ..................................................... 4:30 p.m.
1-17 Tonawanda   ................................................... 4:30 p.m.
1-22 Maryvale ........................................................ 4:30 p.m.
1-24 Pioneer .......................................................... 4:30 p.m.
2-5 Depew   ............................................................. 4:30 p.m.
2-7 Cheektowaga .................................................. 4:30 p.m.
2-12 Springville ..................................................... 4:30 p.m.
2-12 at ECIC Rolloffs (Thruway Lanes) ................... TBA
2-15   at   Section   VI   Championships   (Thruway   Lanes)
TBA
  *All   matches   are   at   Airport   Bowling   Lanes   unless
otherwise noted.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com