The Saint Ignatius 2012-13 bowling prospectus, as presented by Coach John Kastanis and the Corner.

By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright November 2012

John Kastanis emphasized that in his previous seven years of coaching the sport of bowling, the challenge was having a consistent scoring team.

This fall and winter, Coach Kastanis will look to build on an impressive team average of 170 or better and a group of bowlers who are at or above 165. That, my friends, makes for a very competitive team overall.

Over the past two seasons, the “Alley Cats” have combined for 17 wins. That mark includes a sectional championship in 2010-2011.

Coach Kastanis has guided some impressive individuals, including Chris Thom ’11, who placed 23rd at the State Tournament and averaged 203, and Ray Schaefer Jr. ’12, who after averaging 195 as a junior sent the pins flying during his senior season to the tune of a 213 average.

As was the case with Chris Thom, replacing Ray Schaefer Jr. will be no easy task.

Ray totaled the high average for the GCIU conference, was the “Alley Cats’” MVP for 2011-12 and was awarded the Joe Beck and the Joe Costanzo awards, which represent the best bowler and best athlete in performance and attitude.

Helping show the way this season will be senior Andy Maykut, who garnered the team’s Most Improved award last winter.

Andy averaged 191 in 2011-12, with a high game of 268 and a high series of 638.

Among those complementing Andy will be junior Billy Farr, who averaged 170 in 2011-12 with a high game of 193 and a high series of 540, junior Sean O'Brien (averaged 172 for 2011-12 with a high game of 243 and a high series of 605) and junior Anthony Giancola (averaged 164 last winter with a high game of 242 and a high series of 553).

Other names to remember are sophomores Antonio DiFranco (average 138, high game 183 and high series 437) and Garret Forest (average 135, high game 223 and high series 496) and junior Phil Criswell (average 131, high game 174 and high series 471).

Coach Kastanis is also pleased with his five new freshmen, whom he described as: “Young men who bring some experience of the game and will be a great help in moving forward and being a competitive team in the upcoming years.”

Those freshmen are: Gianni Schaefer with an average of 165; Ralph Deadwyler with an average of 185; Austin Venczel with an average of 141; Cedric Crawford with an average of 130 and Ethan Hyrds with an average of 120.

THE KASTANIS TOP 10: Here are the area teams John sees as being very competitive this season: 1. Saint Ignatius; 2. Brecksville-Broadview Heights; 3. North Ridgeville; 4. Midpark; 5. Fairport Harbor; 6. Willoughby South; 7. Garfield Heights; 8. North Olmsted; 9. Olmsted Falls; 10. St. Edward.

JOHN'S OVERVIEW: "This upcoming year looks a bit challenging with schools that are bringing new bowlers with some extreme talent. The Wildcats have been working very hard in becoming more consistent and more confident in their game. I feel if their confidence keeps increasing, they will overcome the humps and become a very competitive team. Spares are the key focus!"

The “Alley Cats” open their season this Saturday at Cloverleaf Lanes, as they take on their fellow keglers from St. Edward. Westlake at Buckeye Lanes on Nov. 24, Olmsted Falls on Dec. 1 at Cloverleaf, Benedictine on Dec. 8 at Buckeye and Cleveland Central Catholic at Cloverleaf on Dec. 15 round out the first five on the 2012-13 slate. For a look at the complete schedule, go to www.ignatius.edu, click on athletics and click on bowling under the heading Athletic Teams.

The corner wishes all of the best this season to Coach Kastanis and the team with the nickname no one can match, our savvy “Alley Cats.”

AROUND THE CORNER: Tuesday night’s preview on the Saint Ignatius-Mentor Region 1 football showdown and Thursday of this week the corner will continue its winter previews with a look at the Miles McQuinn-led Saint Ignatius varsity hockey team.