Strikes and Spares
Bowling leagues starting to ramp up for a new season Like anyone who has an outlet to the public, it is hard not to comment on the tragedy that has struck our brothers and sisters in the south.
There is nothing more I can say that has not been said by those more eloquent and knowledgeable. I know this; I cherish what I have even more, right down to this column.
This week, I crossed paths with my friends Matt Mallick and Jeff Hager of News 19. These two guys have both stepped up their time on the lanes and I always enjoy hearing their bowling stories.
Matt’s favorite subject is his younger brother Brandon. Brandon is coming on strong according to big brother.
The other night he rolled 280 and 279 over at Manor Lanes. It won’t be long before we are reporting his first 300.
The only scores that came my way this week were from Manor Lanes. My contact at Manor has been faithful with supplying me with scores to keep you informed of who found the path to the pocket.
Last Friday in the Rockwell League, Brett Matthews nailed a 246 and a 244 and was one-upped by Tom Ryczek with a 254.
In the Monday Trio at Manor, Brandon George secured a clean 700 series with Jamie Lawrence checking off a 268.
Alan Scabis matched it with a 268 of his own, and Kevin Fasulkey found the path to a 257 /703.
Dave Show pushed the scoring up one with a 269.
The Monday Majors bring Al D’Andrea back to the column with a 259/728 and Ricky Van Buren Jr. with a 279. Fred Hawkins slid a 258 in there, and John Buhovechy polished off the league action with a 267.
The Tuesday Universal League brings Ed Floyd to the front with 257/700 and Harry McClelland, with a 150 average, nailed a 224. Angie Ross walked off the lanes with a 212 and John Stockton had his own dance with the pins, bowing to a 212.
Thursday Manor Mix places Nick Capo in the spotlight with a 254 and Ed Floyd a 257 and 256.
These scores represent some great bowling by familiar names to regular readers of Strikes and Spares.
Before league action ramps up, now is a good time for a little reminiscing. I have been at this for almost a year now.I have enjoyed every minute of working on this column. You the readers, bowlers and non-bowlers alike, have welcomed me, forgiven me and supported me. For that I am grateful.
I was flipping through my clippings checking on a few names and I realized how many people we have met and the number of subjects we have explored.
The night out with the Knights of Columbus League at Yough Lanes I think scarred my life forever, but it was balanced by the bowl-a-thons for St. Jude and Junior Achievement.
There are bowlers like young Joe Machniks, the high school senior from Brownsville, who shared his 715 with us and also his plans to pursue engineering.
We followed Championship Bowling as it rolled through the regions lanes and we explored the physical challenges facing some bowlers. We shared the loss of one bowling greats, Dick Weber and we met one our regions biggest bowling fans, Don Davidson.
Scented bowling balls, shoes and synthetic lanes have made their way on the page along with my love for weather watching and Nebraska folklore.
Bottom line, I am just really thankful.
Brian Casey can be reached at brianwcasey@hotmail.com