By far, the biggest news in area bowling in 2019 was the closing of Bowl-Mor Lanes, which, among other things, forced East Syracuse Minoa to move its home base to Strike-N-Spare Lanes.

ESM would open its season facing West Genesee last Thursday at Solvay Recreation Alleys, and the boys Spartans won 2-1 in large measure due to Brett Smith’s 253 game that led to a 607 series, well clear of the top 519 series from the Wildcats’ Calvin Lee.

Meanwhile, the ESM girls lost 3-0 to West Genesee, with Olivia Nissen leading the Spartans by earning a 333 series. On the Wildcats’ side, Lorelai Leskoske led with a three-game total of 456.

Another boys Spartans win came on Friday against Cortland, where ESM had a total pinfall of 2,820 and Smith led with a 580 series, just ahead of the 578 set from Chris Bayly and the 577 set from Tyler Talarico. Kobie Gibson and Ryan Buffon both had three-game totals of 543.

ESM’s girls fell to unbeaten (4-0) Cortland on Friday, though America Carhart did shoot a 508 series with a 196 high game. Calista VanEpps led the Purple Tigers, earning a 523 series.

Before ESM could bowl, Fayetteville-Manlius and Christian Brothers Academy got underway last Tuesday, with mixed results.

The boys Hornets were successful against Cortland, sweeping the Purple Tigers 3-0 as Kevin Winschel dazzled, starting with a 269 game and continuing with 237 and 236 on his way to a 742 series.

Adam Koss added a 598 series, finishing with a game of 235. Dan Fiumara had a 183 game on his way to a 491 set as David Benjamin paced Cortland with a three-game total of 607.

CBA’s girls won a close 4-3 decision over Solvay at Strike-N-Spare, led by Eliana Occhino’s hree-game total of 529, which included games of 197, 167 and 165.

Helping out, Cadence Malicek had a 400 series, with Annie Kilmartin getting a 371 set ahead of Rachel Farella (344) and Sophie Schultz (323) as Anastasia LaFlair shot a 497 series for the Bearcats.

The F-M girls lost 2-1 at Cortland, with a 470 series from Shelby Miner as Lydia Chase had a 452 series and Kendra Elliot a 425 set. Makayla Cotterill (486 series) and Autumn Wells (457 series) paced the Purple Tigers.

Back on the boys side, CBA fell 7-0 to Solvay, Tavish Johnston leading the Brothers with a 508 series (172 high game) as Garrett Bownman (432 set) beat out Jon LaDuca (430 series). Alex Gallardo shot a 615 series to lead Solvay.

In Friday’s matches, CBA went up against Homer and lost 7-0 on both the boys and girls sides.

Bishop Grimes got its season underway last Wednesday at Strike-N-Spare, and defeated Altmar-Parish-Williamstown by equal 5-2 margins on the boys and girls sides.

In the boys match, the Cobras’ Matt Rogers led his side with a 531 series and 207 high game, while Alex Williams had a 421 series. On the girls side, Liv Coppola led Grimes with a 356 series.

Then Grimes lost 5-2 to Homer in last Friday’s girls match, though Coppola shot a 202 game in her 537 series and Izabella Kinsey had a 358 set.