Bowlers in the Groove

   The East Hampton High School bowling team was said to be “on fire” in a recent published report, and Pat Hand, the team’s coach, acknowledged during a conversation this past week that that was so.

    Going into Tuesday’s match here with Eastport-South Manor, a team that has had some 1,000-point-plus games, East Hampton was 4-0.

    As of that day, Chris Duran, a “steady as a rock” senior, had averaged 191, with a high game of 226, and Jacob Grossman, a sophomore whose parents manage East Hampton Bowl — and who each recently bowled perfect games — had the team’s second-high average, a 189.88. Grossman’s high game as of Tuesday was a 222.

    “We’re off to a good start — we’ve got wins over Rocky Point, Southampton, Southold, and Westhampton Beach,” Hand said, “though we’ll have to have a very good day to beat Eastport. It should go down to the last frame of every game.”

    East Hampton’s high team game as of Tuesday was a 934.

    Last season, Eastport won the league, with Westhampton second, and East Hampton third.

    East Hampton’s team is coed. Duran is the anchor, the fifth to go. The setup man, at four, is Grossman. Jackson Clark, a junior, leads off, followed by Brianna Semb, a senior, and Gabby Green, a senior who is the team’s co-captain, with Clark.

    The Bonackers defeated Southampton 29-4 at the All Star Lanes in Riverhead. “It’s brand new,” said Hand, “with floor-to-ceiling screens and a dozen couches. It looks like a party place, with a lot of distractions. The kids had to focus.”

    To prepare for Eastport, the bowlers were to have stayed after practice Monday to work with the Bowl’s manager, Ian Grossman, on making the 7 and 10 pins. Those who make the 10 pins in practice earn a free game from him.

    “We’ve had an awesome season so far,” Clark said during Friday’s practice. “Hopefully, we can stick with it.”