Shake, Rattle, and Bowl at Cliff Castle Casino

champs Cameron Smith & Derek Iozzio

     Cameron Smith and Derek Iozzio opened the 14th season of JBT Arizona Conference action with victories at Cliff Castle Casino's Shake, Rattle, and Bowl.

    Allie Ijams, the 08-09 Female Bowler of the Year, picked up right where she left off by opening the scratch division stepladder finals with a 222-175 win over David Johnston, who had earlier fired the high game of the day with a 299 effort in the qualifying round.   Ijams then got by Jeff Mathews 203-136, before Riley Dempsey stopped Allie 212-188, to reach the title match.

     Top seed Smith has had consistently excellent results at Cliff Castle throughout his stellar JBT career, and this day was no different as he grabbed the top seed.  The title match proved to be a grind with both bowlers adjusting to the drying lanes by playing a very deep inside line.  Despite a good effort from the up-and-coming Dempsey, it was the veteran Smith rolling to a 218-191 triumph, good for his 11th career JBT victory.

    The eight-person handicap finals opened with plenty of drama, as CJ Sanchez (191) could only watch as Kaitlin Silva and Jerimiah Cruz tied at 213, with Silva coming away with a 42-36 rolloff win.  Adam Lebbs then rolled a second round 199 to beat Silva (158) and Amanda Ailport (171).  JD Sweet then fired a 234 to oust Lebbs (172) and Blake Kalaf (159), advancing him to the title game.

    Top seed Derek Iozzio had been solid all day, and recaptured the lead in the eighth game to earn the finals' top seed.  Sweet, who was 0-2 in previous title match appearances, threw a much better game, but could not find the carry, while Iozzio kept the pressure on, and in the end Derek cruised to a 209-183 win, good for his first career JBT title.

    Over $2,000 in scholarships were awarded at the event.  Thanks always to the crew at Cliff Castle for a great job hosting our event.  Want in on all the fun and excitement?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!