Bowling: Big North Boys/Girls Standings-Jan. 4

As was the case with our previous entry for the NJIC, the following standings are updated through the first month of the season — meaning all matches completed prior to the holiday break.

Since there are a lot more divisions (and therefore numbers) to post in the Big North, here’s a bit of analysis up front… as well as continued thanks to the conference coaches for maintaining the Google Docs that contain the standings.

BOYS ANALYSIS: Indian Hills and Passaic Tech were the Nos. 1 and 2 teams, respectively, in The Record Preseason Top 10, and neither disappointed in December. The Braves swept their first five matches to stretch their conference win streak to 38 and averaged 828 per four-man game. The Bulldogs started 4-0, dropping only two points to a rapidly-improving Clifton team, and they averaged 829. … Speaking of Clifton, the Mustangs (734) sported a top-five average in the conference for December, as did Ridgefield Park (745). Expect to see those two names enter the next edition of the Top 10. … Individually, North Jersey Singles Championship winner Isiah Tolbert of Passaic Tech has picked up where he left off last season, when he averaged a Big North-best 227. Except this year, that’s good for second overall — because Kyle Schellberg of Dumont averaged *230* during the first month. Spectators, please be mindful of the jaws that are about to be dropped on bowling center floors as tournament time gets going.

GIRLS ANALYSIS: The Record Preseason Top 5 had the right two teams, but the order may have to be reversed. Maybe. And possibly several times. No. 1 Westwood averaged 699 in December, while No. 2 Paramus Catholic led the conference with a 708. Except, PC dropped a 6-1 decision to No. 3 Holy Angels, and the Cardinals got through the first part of their schedule unscathed. Circle Jan. 13 on the Big North calendar, since Westwood and PC will settle things head-to-head that afternoon — three days before they do it all again in the Bergen County tournament, with the Angels hot on their tails. … Individually, the Paladins’ Kristen Kane (198.6) was percentage points ahead of the Angels’ Tiffany Sucero (198.2) for the early-season lead in high average, and third overall was just as close between Cliffside Park’s Gianni Calzadilla (191.8) and Wayne Valley’s Kristine Verbeke (191.3).

Now for the charts…

BIG NORTH BOYS BOWLING STANDINGS (ENTERING MATCHES OF JAN. 4)

BIG NORTH GIRLS BOWLING STANDINGS (ENTERING MATCHES OF JAN. 4)

See you ’round the lanes…

—GT