LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ – They did it again! The Linden Tigers Varsity Bowling Team stormed into Easton, PA, took down 4th-seeded Phillipsburg, and punched their ticket to the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 semifinals with an electrifying performance.
This time, there was no slow start. Unlike their first-round battle, where they had to rally from behind, the Tigers came out firing on all cylinders and never looked back.
𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝟏 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐞
Linden set the pace early, delivering a commanding 930-851 victory in Game 1. Sophomore Sofia Gonzalez stepped up in a big way, posting a career-best 163, igniting the Tigers’ momentum. Jamie Paladi (228) and Damian Nieves (213) led the charge, keeping Phillipsburg on their heels.
𝐀 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐬
While Game 1 belonged to Linden, Game 2 turned into a heart-stopping battle. Phillipsburg fought back with a stronger showing, but the Tigers held their ground, edging out a 955-936 victory to seal the match.
After winning Game 1, Game 2 came down to the final frame, where senior captain Damian Nieves found himself in the ultimate pressure moment—the last bowler standing. With the match on the line, he needed two strikes and five pins to seal the victory. Under the spotlight, Nieves delivered in dramatic fashion—strike one, strike two, and finally, five pins to clinch the best-of-three match, securing a 2-0 sweep for Linden.
With that clutch finish, the Tigers closed out Phillipsburg in spectacular fashion, proving once again why they belong among the top teams in the state.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬
With their latest win, Linden is now just one victory away from the sectional championship match. The Tigers await the winner of the Elizabeth vs. Bayonne matchup, set to be decided Thursday evening (Feb. 13).
The Tigers are on fire! Can they keep the momentum rolling and make history? Stay tuned for the semifinal showdown!