NIAGARA FALLS — Steve Conklin has confidence in his shot.

Pick an alley. Pick a lane. Pick a frame. Conklin will find his board, line it up and knock them down.

“Stay simple,” Conklin says. “I just stay slow, concentrate, and make sure I release it right. Look at my arrow, my target.”

On the lanes, consistency is key. Consistency means throwing the same ball 12 times for a perfect game, or making your spares and throwing a 700 series.

It’s safe to say Conklin has put things together this season. The Niagara Falls sophomore leads the Niagara Frontier League in average (229.71), high game (300) and high series (775) this year.

“I’m just consistent,” Conklin said. “Constantly throwing the same shot. That’s all you have to do. You have to adjust from there.”

Conklin’s 300 came in his first game in a home match against Lew-Port at Bowl-O-Drome on Jan. 5.

“Lane seven and eight,” Conklin says, noting that he’s shot a pair of perfect games on those same lanes over the last 12 months.

Conklin has shot four 300s at Bowl-O-Drome, his first coming when he was 14. The perfect game against the Lancers was his first in NFL match play.

“It felt the same,” he said. “I was nervous by the 11th shot. By then I was shaking really bad, but I got through it. I ignored the nerves.”

Niagara Falls bowling coach Ed Ventry said getting consistency out of Conklin has been a process. Conklin made the team in seventh grade and was part of a Wolverines squad that went to states the next season. After missing all of last season due to academics, Conklin has come back with renewed focus this year.

“He’s certainly motivated. Bowling motivates him to do well in school, which is good,” Ventry said. “That’s one nice thing about high school sports. It does seem to motivate kids to become better students in the classroom.”

Ventry said his standout bowler has brought maturity to the team this season. When the lower scores come they don’t bother Conklin as much as they once did. It’s helped a young Wolverines (7-4 NFL) team bounce back from a slow start in league play.

Niagara Falls finished second in the Festival of Lights tournament over the Christmas break. Ventry credited the hard work of his team and assistant coach Bill Rodgers for putting a team that has won six straight NFL titles back into contention in Section VI.

“We started off really rough and we had some new kids on the team,” Ventry said. “But we have to feel like we can win it. I like our chances.”

Conklin has even bigger hopes for his Wolverines.

“I think we’re going to make it to states, honestly,” Conklin said.

The sophomore’s numbers could get him to states on his own if he stays hot, but he’s focused on the team right now.

“He’s definitely a team-oriented kid,” Ventry said. “Every time I’ve talked to him it’s ‘We’re going to win this match. We want to win the rest of our matches. We want to go to states.’”

In Friday’s NFL Individuals tournament at Manor Lanes, however, it’s every man for himself. Ventry called it “the one day we as coaches allow our kids to become individuals.”

The tournament starts at 1 p.m. Friday, and Conklin says he’s ready to win it all.

“I can’t wait. The goal is to win it,” Conklin said. “I hope everyone else on my team does good, too. I’m hoping for the best for them.”