South boys bowling finish seventh at sectionals

Williamsville South's boys bowling team finished its 2007-08 season strong with a seventh place overall finish at the Section VI Championships last Thursday at Thruway Lanes.

Alex Petrie led the Billies with a 297 and team high 1333 series which was good enough to earn him alternate status for the New York State Championships. Russ Scheiss chipped in a 267 game and 1311 series. Adam Petrie rolled a 231 game and 1210 series. Tony Cirbus had a strong performance with an 1134 series.

Earlier in the week at ECIC Roll-offs, Alex Petrie received a trophy for the highest ECIC Division II average for the year with a 210.13.

"Alex had a great year after a slow start (for him) and finished as an all-star selection for the All-ECIC team," said South coach Rick Newton.

Scheiss rolled Division II's highest series for the championships with a 728. Matt Petrie took honors in Division II "B" with a 588.

Scheiss and Justin Maggio graduate this year and will be missed, said Newton.

"Russ was a five-year bowler and captain and anchor of the "A" team this year," said Newton. "His competitiveness and spirit will be hard to replace. He always went out to win and spurred the team on to huge victories this year over division champs, Sweet Home and Section VI champions, West Seneca East (West Seneca East is coached by Justin Mergenhagen, a former Billies standout bowler).

Maggio was a regular on the "B" team and an alternate on the sectional team.

"He was a solid performer and one of the nicest kids ever to wear Billie blue and white," said Newton.

Newton said South's future looks bright with a strong returning squad led by Alex Petrie and cousin, Adam Petrie, as well as standout freshman, Cirbus. Newcomers, sophomore Max Kahn, seventh-grader Aaron Broadart and junior Andy Diakun will help the team a lot and are expected to contribute significantly, he said.

Eighth-graders Jake Morris and Charlie Galonte, sophomore Matt Terrana as well as first-year keglers juniors Dan Archdeacon and Brian Van ee will provide plenty of competition for starting positions on the team, said Newton.

If Matt Petrie enrolls at Williamsville East from Transit Middle School, a great two-year starter will be lost, said Newton.

"All in all, it was a very good year in a very competitive division," said Newton. "We had our best efforts against the toughest teams and at roll-offs and sectionals. With the assistance of volunteer coach Paul Mamon and the off-season travel team work of Mike Petrie, South's bowling team has a bright future."