AMF DEER VALLEY

champs Ben Canfield & Kristen Lee

    Two JBT veterans added titles to their collections in exciting JBT Arizona Conference action at Phoenix's AMF Deer Valley Lanes.

    Aaron Yamamoto grabbed the scratch division lead after qualifying on a pretty tricky long pattern, meaning that in the day's 'pick everyone's poison' format, he got to select everyone's matches as long as he stayed alive in the event.  He got to the final four, where he was left with the option of three of his ASU teammates, who made a sweep of the top four spots.  Aaron chose to play Shane Valleau, and it proved a wise choice as he won the game 214-193 to advance to the title match.  Meanwhile, Ben Canfield, who earlier fired the day's high game with a 299, beat Ryan Klumpers 234-148 to advance as well.

    The title match was a grindout that came down to the final frame, with Canfield getting the spare he needed for a 199-187 win, and the sixth title of his JBT career.

    Steven Acuff dominated the handicap division qualifier, allowing him to set up the bracket as long as he lasted.  He got past Shauna Schultz in round one, but he had no antidote for red-hot Mike Grisham in round two, losing 2-1 to bow out, and give Kristen Lee the option of setting up the final four matches.  Lee chose Grisham and defeated him to make the title match, while Gillian Coyle beat Ashley Hilburn in the other semifinal to set up the title game.

    Coyle has been knocking on the door of JBT victory for a while now, but Lee is quietly one of our toughest competitors, and she stayed in control for the title match, winning the game for the fourth title of her JBT career.

    Kristen completed her day with a win over Alexis Atkin to earn the day's Impact Bowling Women's Series title.  She needs two more wins to get into the Girls TPC this summer.

    Thanks as always to the staff at Deer Valley for hosting us.  Come on out to the next JBT event for some more exciting action!