PALM SPRINGS LANES

champs Derek Acuff & Harley Sweigart (and a reminder of what hand they bowl with)

         Port-sider power proved prominent at Palm Springs Lanes, as Derek Acuff and Harley Sweigart captured JBT titles in exciting JBT Southern California Conference action.

        Both stepladders provided plenty of excitement, beginning with Kyle Andrews squeaking by Brooke Martinez (who was over +200 after three games before slowing down) 240-232 to open the handicap finals.  Andrews then struck in the tenth to win another thriller, this time 226-221 over Megan Carlson.  That set up a duel between Kyle and twin brother Kennison for second time in the stepladder finals, and this time Kyle came up with the 229-225 win to move on to the title game.

        Top seed Sweigart took over once Brooke gave anyone else a chance, leading from game four onward.  By the time of the title macth, it was Harley that looked unbeatable, and despite a good effort from Andrews, it was Sweigart who powered to a 253-236 win, and his third career JBT title (he also bowled a 300 in his City tournament the next day!).

        Curtis Lindeman, who lost the title match to Cameron Smith the previous weekend in Tucson, avenged that loss with a 232-217 win over Cameron to begin the scratch finals.  Vinny Bravo then made his first finals a success with a 204-164 win over Lindeman.  Acuff then stopped Bravo 218-178 to reach the title match.

        Top seed Justin Sims bowled a confident semifinal set to hand on to his qualifying lead and gain the number one seed, and looked good in the title match early on as well.  Acuff has had an up and down season, and when Sims gave him a chance with a short count in the tenth frame, he wasn't willing to let the opportunity slip by.  Derek got exactly the double-9 he needed for a thrilling 224-223 win, good for the seventh title of his JBT career.

        Brooke got revenge in teh Impact Bowling Women's Series title match, defeating Marina Stever 184-172 to win the event.  It's the second of three wins she needs to qualify for the 2012 JBT Girls TPC this July.

        Tremendous thanks to Palm Springs Lanes for a great job hosting us for the first time, and Felix Chac Chuo Farm Inc. for their sponsorship of a JBT event for the fourth consecutive year, which helped us to award over $2,200 in scholarships to bowlers of all ages and averages.  Want in on the fun?   Check out our schedule and come on down to the next JBT event- it's that simple!