Submitted Photo Forestville’s Brayden Smith was recognized for a 300 game he bowled in November.

Brayden Smith, a senior at Forestville Central School, bowled in his second season as part of the WNY Pepsi Junior Travel league in Buffalo this year.

Honored at the league’s recent banquet, Smith’s team was awarded the first-half scratch champions. His team holds the No. 1 spot in the country for high team scratch series and No. 2 spot for high team scratch game.

Smith’s continued hard work toward improving his skills paid off in his league this season as he finished with the second-highest league average with a 219.68.

Smith was the No. 1 boys points leader this season in the travel league. Smith was also acknowledged as one of five bowlers who made the WNY Boys All-Star team as well as one of seven senior recipients who received the WNY Junior Travel Scholarship.

At the banquet, Smith also received his personalized banner for bowling a 300 game in the league this past November. Smith has devoted many hours this year, not only bowling in the travel league, but also in the youth bowling league at Lucky Lanes, the WNY Teen Invitational League every weekend at Broadway Lanes in Cheektowaga and on his varsity team at Forestville Central School.

Smith recently had the opportunity to meet his bowling idol Jason Belmonte at a fundraising event held at Lucky Lanes. Smith had the chance to thank Belmonte for the influence he has had on Brayden finding his passion again for the sport through two-handed bowling.

Smith and his teammates will be joined together one last time next week to compete in the NYS USBC Youth Team Championship Tournament held in Syracuse.

Smith will be attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall to major in business administration, but will continue to find opportunities to pursue his love for bowling.