Comsewogue wins small-school tourney
The embraces between some of Comsewogue's bowlers after their final ball had been thrown was evidence that a win would be more than just a consolation prize.
After the season began with losses in four of their first five matches, Comsewogue won six of its final seven, only to be denied a spot in Saturday's county tournament by a mere 3.5 points. Yesterday's season-ending victory in the Small Schools Tournament at Coram Lanes only helped prove that the schedule had simply run out of matches for Comsewogue to win.
"We worked really hard and we've come a long way," senior co-captain Robert Samuels said. "It means a lot and I'm happy for the guys. We're a close team and we work good together. It's a good group of guys."
That group - which also includes seniors Casey Quiery, Mike Steadman, Jeff Wimmel and junior Clay Moosmuller - concluded their season with a division title by finishing with a four-game total pinfall of 3,852 to defeat runner-up Bellport (3,669) and Eastport-South Manor (3,644).
"We needed to come back and show the small schools in Suffolk County that we're still here," Comsewogue coach Eric Sorenson said. "We're a good team and these boys have worked very hard for this wonderful title."
Samuels, who has a team-best 209.3 average and rolled a 223 and 237 in his first two games, had a 243 in a crucial Game 3 in which Comsewogue posted a team high-game of 1,044 and turned a 36-pin deficit into a 104-pin lead. Aiding the turnaround in Game 3 were high games from Steadman (206), Quiery (199) and Wimmel (182). Moosmuller rolled a 227 in Game 2 and 214 in Game 3.
"The 1,000 we shot in the third game was very important and it helped boost our confidence even more," Steadman said.
Although Comsewogue's season ends without a trip to the county tournament, winning a division championship is a fitting end for Samuels and his fellow seniors, many of whom called yesterday's win the greatest moment in their tenure with the team.
"All in all, it was a very successful season," Sorenson said. "We are a very strong team. Losing four seniors like this is going to be tough but we have a lot waiting in the wings. It's sad to see them go, but the future looks really good, too."
VP Harris concedes election ... Election takeaways ... Trooper shot on SSP under investigation ... Warm weather continues
VP Harris concedes election ... Election takeaways ... Trooper shot on SSP under investigation ... Warm weather continues