AZ DOUBLES

champs Matt Jones, Cameron Smith, Jordan Kraye, and Nicole Shepard

            California invaded Arizona as four talented So Cal bowlers picked up titles in the JBT Arizona Doubles Classic, presented by Valentino Bowling, and hosted by AMF Christown.

            After seven qualifying games, surviving teams moved into Baker format stepladder action, with teammates now combining to form one game.  In the scratch finals, Craig Spencer and John Vournas won round one with a 214-186 win over Brandon Donnelly and Justin Eales.  In round two, the lefty/right combo of Craig and John improved to 257 to oust the 203 effort of Randy Cote and Bryanna Caldwell, the all-time female JBT career title leader.  In the semifinals, the statistically intimidating team of Steven Black and Kyle King beat Vournas and Spencer 244-183, to reach the championship match.

            Top seeds Matt Jones and Cameron Smith then entered, creating perhaps the most decorated title match in JBT history.  Black is still our all-time leader at 42, King is 3rd with 34, Smith is 9th with 14, and Jones is 29th with 6.  Kyle is our all-time scholarship earnings leader ($41,000), Black is 3rd ($39,000), Smith is 6th ($19,000), and Jones is 15th ($11,000).  That's over $100,000 in scholarships and almost 100 titles bowling in one title match- wow!!! It was a match fitting that level of talent, and after an early open, Jones and Smith struck through the ninth to wrap up a 235-216 win and the championship, revising and adding to the numbers you just read already.

            The veteran team of Rane Lacona and Jeff Millmier opened up the handicap division finals with a 177-138 win over MacKenzie Butler and David Richard.  Rane and Jeff then beat Saralyne Nassberg and Alan Grobmeier 215-196.  The lefty/righty combo then fired a big 267 to defeat the Las Vegas duo of Aubrey Calabrese and Tricia Singer 267-198 and climb to the title match.

            Top seeds Jordan Kraye and Nicole Shepard took over in the semifinals to seize the top spot, and showed no signs of slowing down in the title match.  A late 4-9 from Lacona sealed the eventual 244-213 win for Jordan and Nicole, as they captured their first title each.  However, it was the third title in seven days for the Kraye family, as Jordan's father and brother won the So Cal doubles in San Diego the week before.

            Thanks again to Valentino Bowling for sponsoring this event.  Valentino makes great ball cleaning and surface adjustment products- please check them out and thank them for their support.  Thanks as always to Pat Cook and the staff at Christown for hosting the biggest regular season event of the year.  The great turnout meant that over $5,500 in prizes were awarded to bowlers of all ages and averages.  Want in on all this fun?  Spread the word and come on down to the next JBT event, it's really that simple!