By Nate Beutel
CHEEKTOWAGA — Tim Drylewski says his team performs better when they’re pumped up and full of energy.
After the Niagara Falls senior rolled a perfect 300 in game one at Saturday’s Roy Sommer Tournament at Thruway Lanes, the Wolverines were that and more.
The Falls then carried that momentum throughout the day on its way to the boys team championship at the 31st annual event.
“Everyone was excited,” Drylewski said of his second 300 of the season and fifth of his career. “On my 300 shot I almost missed the 10-pin, but I sent a messenger across and it knocked it down. It was crazy. It was so loud. Everybody picked it up from there.”
Niagara Falls coach Ed Ventry agreed.
“That really picked the team up,” he said of the 300. “It got us going. It was huge for us.”
NFHS knocked down 4,970 pins, including 858 in the final four decisive Baker games, to edge West Seneca East by 71 pins. Liverpool of Section III was third at 4,868, St. Joe’s took fourth with 4,828 and North Tonawanda was fifth at 4,652.
Team members for the Falls included Eric Hengst, Frank Stanisz, Steve Conklin, Steve Biondi, Mike Alex, Rich Maslen and Drylewski. Drylewski led the way with a 725 series. This is the second team tournament win for the Wolverines this season after taking the Festival of Lights event in December.
“I just hope we have one more in us,” a smiling Ventry said in reference to Thursday’s sectional tournament.
The boys all-tournament team included Tim Durham (III-Liverpool, 733), Doug Trapani (Falconer, 727), Stephano Cirrito (St. Joe’s, Niagara Falls resident, 725), Tony Hamlin (III-Liverpool, 713) and Drylewski.
NT was led by Wes Thompson’s 213-637 series and Nick Byers’ 256-625.
Girls
North Tonawanda got off to a bit of a slow start, but recovered nicely to finish second behind Frontier. The Falcons knocked down 4.396 pins, while NT finished at 4,337. Depew was third at 4,268, Williamsville South took fourth at 4,209 and Lockport was fifth with 4,205.
For the Lady Jacks, Brianna Larson had a 225-646, Hannah Mosher shot a 214-599 and Kellie Thomsen notched a 190-554 set.
The girls all-tournament team included Sam Stachura-Lee (Lockport, 703), Ashley Gluszak (Mount St. Mary, 692), Chelsey Mee (Frontier, 690), Bridget Masiello (Lockport, 676) and Tricia Kent (Williamsville South, 658).
The sectional tournament is scheduled for Friday.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
