Better than perfect: NJSIAA bowling champions cap their careers on top

NORTH BRUNSWICK — Mackenzie Keane and Kieryn Knox both entered Friday’s NJSIAA individual bowling finals having previously thrown perfect games in state-tournament play.

Both emerged from Bowlero North Brunswick with the only thing that can top such a feat: state championships.

Keane, a senior from East Brunswick, won the girls title with a 258-222 victory over Megan Prettyman of Gloucester County Tech in the stepladder final.

Knox, a West Orange senior, captured the boys crown by outscoring Jake Diaz of Howell, 248-214.

Here is a closer look at how each reached the pinnacle out of a field of 180 (100 boys, 80 girls).

East Brunswick’s champion

Keane rolled a 300 in the 2020 NJSIAA girls team finals, where the Bears placed fifth. They equaled that finish in Monday’s event, while Keane improved 10 spots from her finish at the individual finals two years ago.

“To have all my teammates there when I shot the 300 was an amazing experience,” said the right-hander, who has committed to bowl at St. Francis of Pennsylvania. “But to go out senior year with a championship, there’s nothing more I can ask for, really.”

As the No. 1 seed, Keane had a bye to the title match after tallying 1,243 (207.2) in six-game qualifying. She alternated between throwing practice shots and watching friends compete in the stepladder.

Prettyman, the No. 4 seed, nearly climbed the entire ladder and shot 200-plus each game.

“I knew that she’d been bowling on the lane for the last three games, and that she had a line. And I had to bowl my best to be able even to come close to what she was bowling. And I was able to get locked in early on my warmup shots.”

West Orange’s winner

Knox fired a 300 in Wednesday’s boys team finals, where his 747 ranked second in the house – unofficially, though, since no high series awards were given for that tournament.

He picked up where he left off in qualifying, following up a 693 morning series with a 627 in the second round to earn the No. 4 seed.

“Getting used to the environment on Wednesday did help [Friday],” Knox said. “The lanes played pretty different compared to Wednesday, so I had to come in with a new strategy. I was playing a little straighter the other day.”

One by one, Knox knocked off everyone in his path, defeating No. 5 Henry Hecht of Howell, 258-238; Matt Reynolds of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 209-191; KC Campbell of Seton Hall Prep, 215-183; and Jake Diaz of Howell, 248-214.

He, too, plans to continue bowling at the next level, having found a school that offers the sport for men (the NCAA does not officially sponsor men’s bowling).

“About three weeks ago, I committed to Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, with full tuition,” Knox said. “SCAD is an NAIA school, so they do offer scholarships.”

RESULTS: Scores from NJSIAA finals and other major 2021-22 bowling tournaments

More from the Shore

► Diaz was one of two boys to throw a 300 in qualifying, doing so in the second round (Michael Martins of Roselle Park had one in the first round). His six-game 1,542 ranks third-best in tournament history, and his low game was a 235.

► Hecht joined his Rebels teammate in the stepladder with a second-round 667 series that included a 272 game.

► The girls fifth-place finisher was St. John Vianney sophomore Sydney Bohn, whose older brothers Justin and Brandon led the Jackson Liberty boys to the 2019 Tournament of Champions title.

Best of Morris County

► Morris Tech junior Amanda Granata was the No. 3 seed for the stepladder and faced Prettyman in the match of the day. The Florham Park resident needed two strikes and a 6 in the 10th frame to win, but on her second roll, a stubborn 7-pin stood and allowed Prettyman to escape with a 244-237 victory.

► The Devils had two girls in the second round after lefty Amelia Lemanowicz won a two-frame roll-off to decide the 18th and final spot. She defeated Jaelynn Johnson of Elizabeth, 48-18, after each had a 549 series.

Best of North Jersey

► Wayne Hills senior Zachary Jordan blasted his way into the second round by reeling off 11 strikes in a row for a 290 in his final game of the morning. He wound up 13th with a 1,234.

► Bergen County champ Sara Holden of Northern Highlands had the highest finish by a North Jersey girl, tossing a 230 high game and 1,122 series to place 13th.

Unified championships

The NJSIAA also held its Unified bowling tournament for students with special needs on Friday. Ewing won Group A with a six-game Baker score of 739, and Somerville earned the Group B trophy.

West Milford carried the banner for North Jersey, placing fourth in Group B.

“These sports infuse inclusion to schools,” Highlanders coach Kristi Clave said. “This is really more than a team, it’s a family.”

Greg Tartaglia is a high school sports reporter for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.

Email: tartaglia@northjersey.com

Twitter: @njtags13

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJSIAA boys, girls bowling champions cap their careers on top