SANTA CRUZ LANES

champs Mike Hayes and Megan LaPrell

        On the toughest conditions the JBT has tested our bowlers with this season, Mike Hayes and Megan LaPrell ground out wins in exciting Arizona Conference action at Santa Cruz.

        We say to be ready for any condition at any time, and we asked the host center to make them very demanding this time- mission accomplished.  The -187 scratch cut was the lowest ever in a standard 5-game qualifier event; a 163 average was enough to make the first cut!  Courtney Dutton, the highest averaging female on teh day by far, opened the scratch division stepladder finals with a 173-158 win over Zach Martinez.  Labriel Leach then squeaked past Dutton 163-160.  In the semifinals, Kyle King escaped with a 200-180 win over Leach to reach the title match.

        Top qualifier Mike Hayes averaged 195 to lead the first round, and hung on to that lead in the semis.  In the title game, King tried every trick in his arsenal but couldn't find the pocket, while Hayes kept the ball in play and filled frames, with the end result a 196-163 victory for Hayes and a long-awaited first career JBT title. 

        Britni Glasspool and Jared Boscarino needed more then 10 frames to open up the handicap division finals, as they tied at 180 in regulation, with Glasspool winning the rolloff 47-29 to advance.  She then rolled on in round two with a 206-175 win over Chrystelle Marshall, before Kristen Lee edged Britni 174-168 to advance to the title match.

        Top seed Megan LaPrell was enjoying the best event of her young JBT career, but struggled in the title match against the veteran Lee, who had more than half of the handicap difference made up after five frames.  But from there it was all Megan, as she marked in all the remaining frames to pull away for a 234-206 win and her first career JBT title.

        Over $1,200 in scholarships were awarded at the event to bowlers under 22 of all averages.  Thanks as always to the ehole crew at Santa Cruz for hosting our Tour.  Want in on all this fun and excitement? Check the schedule on our website, and come on out to the next JBT event, it's really that simple!