Brandon Soedarmasto leads Division to bowling win

Division's Brandon Soedarmasto fires down the lane during the Levittown District/Island Trees match at Levittown South Lanes in Levittown on Dec. 21, 2015. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Chewbacca, Mrs. Claus and Brandon Soedarmasto.
The senior on the Division boys bowling team was under dressed compared to some bowlers, who opted for festive or Star Wars costumes at lanes around him, but he still found a way to stand out — no Force or holiday magic required.
Soedarmasto didn’t leave an open frame in Game 2 in bowling a 258 on the way to a 760 series, helping Division take two of three against Island Trees Monday at South Levittown Lanes. He rolled a 257 in the first game and a 245 in the third.
Division (6-1) won the first two games, 785-711 and 746-669, but Island Trees (3-4) won the third, 728-692.
“I was actually throwing it really well today,” said Soedarmasto, who entered the day with a 242 average. He said he didn’t know what to expect while debuting a brand new bowling ball after accidentally leaving his usual one in a friend’s car.
“I guess it works,” Soedarmasto said. “There’s always room for me to bowl better, but it’s good seeing the high score because what you’re doing is actually paying off. You’re bowling pretty well and keeping a consistent score and it’s a good feeling.”
Division coach Brian Maloney said consistency has been Soedarmasto’s modus operandi all season. He added that his standout bowler is adept at adjusting to changes in oil patterns, which affect ball movement.
“If they hit the pocket right, they’re going to go down every time,” Maloney said of navigating the oil patterns. “Brandon’s got so much rotation and speed he knocks the pins down even if he misses.”
Maloney said he also was impressed by sophomore Joe Migliorino, who rolled a 191 in Game 1 of a 504 series, Division’s second best series of the day.
“I expected him to be a JV bowler,” Maloney said, “but he stepped up with a 183 and it’s a blessing in disguise having a tenth grader that can play on varsity as one of your starting four.”
Added Maloney: “It was a good match [but] it would have been nice to get out of here with all 11 points.”