By TONY BELLISSIMO
The defending Nassau boys- bowling champion Hewlett Bulldogs opened the second half of the season with a three-game sweep of Valley Stream Central at Baldwin Lanes on Monday to remain atop Conference V with a match play record of 66-11.
Junior Blake Gower rolled a 614 series and had a 217 in the middle game of Hewlett-s 766-660, 741-688, 783-749 victory. The Bulldogs have won 18 of 21 games and six of seven matches.
We-re not tearing up the lanes, but we-re leading the conference and looking forward to the stretch run, Coach Nick Paxinos said. Our goal is to win the conference, but the guys know the regular season is a precursor to the counties and that-s what really matters.
Hewlett captured last year-s county championship by a 208-pin margin over runner-up Oceanside and went on to finish fourth in the state. Most of the Bulldogs- key performers returned, including senior Nick Velotti, who shot a 1,390 over six games in the Nassau finals.
As of now we-re ranked fourth in the county behind Clarke, East Meadow and Island Trees, Paxinos said. We-ve struggled a little bit and we might be lacking a little confidence, but that-s OK. We have plenty of time to step up.
The Bulldogs have placed no lower than fourth since the 1999-2000 campaign. They should challenge for the title again with starters Velotti (205 average), Gower (189), senior Cory Varga (193) and senior Joe Mastronardi (197) leading the way.
When you get to counties, you have to use five bowlers as opposed to four during the season, Paxinos said. We-ve got as much depth as any team out there and that could make a difference. We also plan to start practicing at Garden City [site of the county tournament on Jan. 31] sooner than normal to get ready.
Velotti is the team-s spark from the leadoff spot and features a nasty hook. He-s shot a series of 731 and a high game of 258. Following Velotti are Gower, Varga, who is looking to get back to last year-s form when he averaged 212, and Mastronardi, a four-year starter.
Varga has a high series of 673 and a high game of 259, while Mastronardi has rolled a 642 series and 235 game. Joe-s our most consistent bowler, Paxinos said. He always finds a way to shoot a 600 series.
The junior varsity team sits atop its conference as well and has a bunch of members that will push to be part of the varsity five at counties. Junior Richard Rothman is averaging an impressive 206, senior Josh Pinkow is at 195, sophomore Jordan Plesser is at 188, and Shaun Varga and Chris Vardago head a strong freshman class.
I-m confident we-ll make a run, Paxinos said.
Hewlett meets Lawrence at Baldwin Lanes on Monday at 4 p.m.
