Good thing actions speak louder than words. Because if you listen to how Morgan Brown describes what it’s like to be considered one of the top high school female bowlers in the state, you get a shrug and she deflects the conversation to how others have helped her.

Morgan Brown OK, it is true the East Brunswick High School junior has been blessed with a loving family and quality coaches who have supported her growth in the sport since she got hooked as a 7-year-old after attending a friend’s birthday party at the nearby lanes. But beneath that modest demeanor is, in the words of her high school coach, Jeff Elias, a highly competitive and mature young lady.

Two years ago, the finalist in this year’s NJSIAA Individual Tournament bowled a season-low 127 during a Greater Middlesex Conference match at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick. That evening, Morgan marched back to the lanes, and bowled until she corrected what she thought was a flaw in her technique. The trip was worth it as Morgan bowled her first and only 300.

“I’ve been told I have ability,” Brown said, “but you can have all the talent in the world and if you don’t work hard, you’re wasting it. I try to bowl five or six games a day. If I miss practice, I’ll make it up during the next session.”

Morgan made the East Brunswick High School bowling team as a freshman and watched her average steadily improve as she competed, not only with the Bears, but also in various leagues. She ended her campaign with a 187 average, and then improved to 195 as a sophomore. Then something happened. Morgan’s average experienced a quantum leap this past year when it improved 30 pins to 225.

“I’m proud of that accomplishment,” she said. “Because it demonstrates that hard work pays off. My practice sessions usually focus on things I may be struggling with, whether it is timing, equipment comfort or other areas where I can increase my average.”

Something that can’t be addressed in practice is performing under pressure. Morgan was fortunate to be exposed to high octane bowling early in her career and became a better bowler as a result.

“As a freshman, I was competing in the GMC Individual Tournament and it was the first time I was in a situation when I had to come through,” she said. “Truthfully, I kind of fell apart mentally and didn’t have a good performance. I learned from that experience and now pressure doesn’t bother me. I kind of block it out.”

Brown has employed meditation as part of her pretournament ritual and claims it has helped her relax, allowing her to think more clearly about the shots she takes.

“Morgan is an extremely unique individual,” said Elias. “She’s quiet by nature, but don’t let that fool you. Morgan is extremely confident when she’s on the lanes.”

That maturity is what enabled Brown to finish second in the state Individual Tournament. In qualifying for the step-ladder finals, Morgan bowled a 784 series, which, unofficially, is the highest ever thrown by a female bowler during the state finals and earned her the top seed for the finals. She lost to No. 2 seed Nicole Chanin of Sparta in the final, 249-212.

Among Brown’s achievements this season is first place in the GMC Individual Tournament and Bishop Ahr Holiday Classic. In the Old Bridge and Carteret Baker Tournament, where Morgan bowled her team’s fifth and 10th frames, she nailed 35 of 44 shots for strikes, helping her team to first place.

Naturally, Morgan says her most memorable tournament experience, to date, was not the state Individual Tournament, but the state team finals. East Brunswick was not among the favorites, but her team shot above average and had the best showing of all GMC teams in the Group IV finals.

“The fact we bowled better than what was expected was really satisfying to me,” Brown said.

Now that her junior year is complete, Brown competes in two leagues, an Adult- Child League with her mother, Josephine, and a High School Major League with two members of the Franklin Township League.

Brown also works with a private coach, Nick Rocco who is USBC silver certified, a relationship she maintains has markedly elevated her game.

“He’s made all the difference,” said Brown. “Nick has not only given me great ideas on how to adjust or change my ball, but how to read the lanes. He’s also helped with the mental aspect of the game. He’s been supportive all the way.”

So has Morgan’s father and mother, Josephine and Michael, sister Stacey who’s now at college in Costa Rica, her grandmother, Joy, and a special aunt, Sarah.

While Brown has a year remaining before graduating, she is already thinking about college and bowling.

“Colleges won’t contact me until this July,” she said. “But I have plans on becoming a veterinarian, so where I go is contingent on how my curriculum prepares me for vet school.”

That could conceivably go to any college. She maintains a 4.0 grade-point average, which includes a number of honors courses.

“When I decide on college,” she said, “I’ll be thinking of academics first, and then bowling. I think there is something like 300 schools that compete so I’m confident something will happen.”

For now, bowling is what’s happening for Morgan Brown.