By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
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Cameron LaPlant sent a loud and clear message to the competitors in the 45th Staten Island Singles Classic that he should be taken seriously in Saturday’s Top 24 finals.

LaPlant, 21, rolled an 857 scratch series on the final day of qualifying Saturday to easily surpass Andrew Link and Calista Iavarone, who each rolled a 784 series on the opening weekend. LaPlant, a righty, fired games of 290, 278 and 289.

Link and Iavarone finished tied for second.

The top eight bowlers receive a bye into the second round of the event, whose founder was Island bowling legend Donnie Walters, who is expected to attend the finals on Saturday at 1 p.m.

LaPlant’s pinfall highlighted a big day of scores Saturday. Billy Salvatore, a 71-year-old, right-hander out of Brooklyn, fired a 300 in his final game to cap off a 729 scratch series (741 handicap) to secure 16th place.

Salvatore is a former champion (2012), winning the event in his first year of participation.

Tournament director Mike Ruffe said the tourney had 226 entries over the eight qualifiers compared to 200 the prior year.

Top 24 after final weekend of qualifying

Name Scratch W/Handicap

1 Cameron LaPlant* 857 857

2 Andrew Link* 766 784

2 Calista Iavarone* / ** 757 784

4 Victor Maturi 768 777

5 Jeff Martin 775 775

6 Peter Labella 770 770

7 Raychon Brown * 763 769

8 Joe Scianna 751 766

9 Marc Avena* 764 764

10 Fabiana Iannuzzi 703 763

11 Nick LaRocca 731 758

12 George Cretella 756 756

12 Tommy Barnes 726 756

14 Robert Jew* 728 746

15 Anthony Botterio 742 742

16 Billy Salvatore 729 741

17 Sal Fabozzi 701 740

17 Anthony Arias 740 740

19 Joseph Vann 718 739

20 Ross Gottlieb * /** 717 738

21 Rob Butler 734 734

22 Derek Gilbert 731 731

23 Red Baranello 711 729

23 Wayne Maksimowich* 681 729

* Denotes Squad Leader
** Denotes guaranteed female/senior