MOJAVE DOUBLES

champs David Prange, Zack Hattori, Trevor Roberts, and Casey Nagamine

            In one of the most competitive fields in JBT Doubles history, four bowlers emerged victorious in terrific action at The Orleans.

            It may have been a Mojave Conference event, but it had a national feel to it, as many bowlers in town for Team Trials and Main Event put together some tough teams, representing a total of 14 states.   They were challenged by a tough Viper condition that kept scoring at a medium low pace.  After squeezing into the finals by just 6 pins, the Florida-based team of Matthew Ezrol and Main Event champ Samantha Hesley opened up the scratch division of the Baker-style stepladder finals with a 210-204 win over Californian Matt Jones and 36-time champ Kyle King.  Hattori and Prange then took over, first with a 214-174 win over Ezrol and Hesley, and then getting past Ryan Council and another Main Vent champ, Brad Miller, 266-219, to reach the title match.

            Top seeds Matt Tuckfield and Craig Hanson also from Florida, had already had a great week in Vegas, especially Hanson, who made both junior and adult Team USA the day before- quite an accomplishment!  The title game began as a classic, as they ran off the front five strikes, but Zack and David countered with spare, next six to grab the lead.  Then things got strange as both teams traded splits and open frames, before Prange's tenth frame strike locked up a 224-207 win and the championship.  The win was the 8th of Hattori's JBT career, and his second consecutive Mojave Doubles title, winning with another SNUSBC Hall of Famer, John DeBenedetta, last season.

            Nina Thynne and Kate Sharp opened up the handicap finals in a thriller that saw Nina strike out in the tenth for a 179-175 win over Josh Chefalo and Jonny Gutierrez.  Round two was just as tense, as in an all female battle Katelyn Scott and Jennah Hahn edged Sharp and Thynne 171-164.  The semifinals left no room for error either, as Casey Nagamine and Trevor Roberts got by Scott and Hahn 182-170 to advance to the title game.

            Top seeds Ian Hanuscin and Aaron Watkins had taken the lead away from Casey and Trevor in the final qualifying game, and found themselves in a back and forth battle in the title game.  In the end, Roberts, from Phoenix, and Nagamine, from Hawaii, struck out from the eighth for a 224-208 triumph.  It was Roberts' second career title (both in Mojave), while Casey enjoyed JBT victory for the first time.

            Thanks to all the adults and JBT alumni who came out to support today's JBT bowlers, and of course The Orleans for their usual great hosting job.  Over $3,600 was awarded to bowlers of all ages and averages- want in on the fun?  Come on out to the next JBT event, it's that simple!