Having seen his teammate, Nick Joss, nearly get to perfection earlier this month, Cicero-North Syracuse boys bowler Josh Cloute figured that he had a 300 game in him somewhere this winter.

The magic moment arrived two days before Christmas, at Strike-N-Spare Lanes, where Cloute’s career-best effort highlighted a 3-0 sweep over Syracuse.

Entering the match, C-NS was 7-1, and as it quickly gained control against Syracuse, the only question was whether Cloute would get to 300.

Twelve straight times, Cloute rolled – and all 12 times, he came up with strikes, the 300 game part of an impressive three-game effort that ended with a season-best 761 series.

Joss, whose strong season-long effort included a 299 game against Liverpool on Dec. 2, settled for a 603 series on this day, while Jacob Fox stepped up with a 681 series and 246 high game. Zach Emm added a 527 set as Matt O’Neil led Syracuse with a 257 high game and 611 series.

On that same day, Liverpool faced Baldwinsville at B’ville Sports Bowl. During the boys Warriors’ 3-0 defeat, Tyler Hubbell had a three-game total of 513, with a 190 high game. Jimmy Santy added a 488 set, with the Bees’ Tyler Watchus (who had his own 300 game a week earlier against Fayetteville-Manlius) leading his side thanks to a 626 series.

Liverpool’s girls team also fell to B’ville by a 3-0 margin. Dailyn McCarthy had one of her best efforts of the season, managing a 543 series with a high game of 187, tops among all individuals. Jordan Archibeque added a 337 series. Kaitlynn Asditt paced the Bees, with a 201 high game and 499 series.