East Islip vs Comsewogue

HIGHLIGHTS

East Islip 36, Comsewogue 4: Eighth grader Dakota Collins rolled a 248 in Game 3 of a 651 series, and freshman Kailyn Bloch added a 236 in Game 3 of a 622 series to lead a deep and talented East Islip to a win in both team's Suffolk League III opener at Port Jeff Bowl. It was the Redmen's 117 straight win, and East Islip is now 247-1-1 since midway through the 2001 season, according to Newsday records. East Islip started slow in the first game, but pulled out a win, 883-836. The Redmen followed suit in Game 2 with another uninspired opening, yet rallied again for a 1,034-936 victory behind a 237 high-game from senior Mia Lembo. EI rolled well from start-to-finish in a convincing 1,037-810 win in Game 3. Laura Clark led Comsewogue with a 241 in Game 2 of a 626 series. It was the first time Harold C. Cooley Jr. -- the man who started the Redmen girls bowling program in 1985 -- didn't coach a match at East Islip. Cooley, who guided EI to 27 league titles, 13 county championships and three state crowns during his storied tenure, passed away on Dec. 18, 2020. "This is one of the hardest things I've had to do in my young coaching career," said first-year EI coach Robert Sconone. "There's been a lot of emotions, but the girls have made this whole process easier with how they've been." East Islip started slow in the first game, but pulled out a win, 883-836. The Redmen followed suit in Game 2 with another uninspired opening, yet rallied again for a 1,034-936 victory behind a 237 high-game from senior Mia Lembo. "I tried to bring a positive energy for everybody," said Lembo, who had a 601 series. "I wanted to be as supportive as he would have been. . . . but it's not the same." That sentiment was felt by both teams. "He's one of the all-time greats," said Comsewogue coach Bo Frimmer about Cooley. "It's truly a great loss to girls bowling, and truly a great loss to many of us personally." Sconone is well attuned to bowling on Long Island and to East Islip girls bowling, period. The 26-year-old played football and lacrosse at East Islip. His father, Bob, was a long-time boys bowling coach at Patchogue-Medford, who was close friends and actually grew up across the street from Cooley. "You still feel his presence," Sconone said "I have so much respect for Coach Cooley and the program he established here at EI."