Bowling team wins cheered by community

The Bayport-Blue Point High School bowling team has made excellent strides this past season, increasing the number of victories six-fold from last year’s record.

“Everyone is coming back next year,” said coach Michael Savana. “We have six players on the playing squad and four on the practice squad.”

Nicknamed the “Fab Four” by Savana, four middle schoolers anchor the team and have been honing their skills alongside veterans like junior Ben Hamrilicek, who has an average of 210 and a record of 34 wins and eight losses.

“He’s the quarterback of our team,” said Savana of Hamrilicek, who had an all-time high score of 287 that ended with a spare.

Many players have followed in the footsteps of siblings or parents who have played the sport, and Savana said “they have been learning to win.”

With practice held at Bowlero in Sayville from Monday through Thursday, the team plays two matches per week on Tuesday and Thursday.

Finishing fourth in a league that includes competitors like Connetquot, Sayville, Bellport, Patchogue-Medford, Eastport, William Floyd, and South Manor, the team has boasted an impressive improvement from years past.

“Five years ago, there were no more than four matches, and this year we had over a dozen,” said Savana.

Players generally have two balls and their own shoes as house balls are designed to go straight.