AMF FIREBIRD LANES

champs Cortez Schenck & Nikita Benton

        Cortez Schenck and Nikita Bento earned JBT titles in exciting Pacific Northwest Conference action at Salem's AMF Firebird Lanes.

        Ryan Nikolas began a climb up the scratch division stepladder finals with a 198-182 win over Brian Monnette, who squeaked into the finals with the high game of the tournament, a 258 on a very challenging pattern.  Nikolas then got by the consistent Connor Jackley, 219-186.  In the semifinal match, Cortez Schenck, on a tear through the Tour this season, dug out a clutch double in the tenth for a 185-166 win over Nikolas to advance to the title match.

        Top seed Tanner Spacey led after five games, and a 611 semifinal set was good enough to increase the lead heading into the stepladder.  He and Schenck then put on a brilliant bowling display on the very difficult conditions.  Both could strike out in the tenth for 235.  After Tanner, on a strike, went strike-7-spare, Cortez got a fortunate brooklyn on his first ball, locking up a 225-222 win, and the 14th title of the 14 year-old's amazing JBT career.

        Brandon Jensen opened up the handicap division stepladder finals with a 232-203 win over Alexa Lanning.  Jensen then rolled on with a 219-186 win over Elisa Couch.  This set up a match against his sister Michelle, and in teh sibling battle Brandon came out on top 241-207 to advance to the title match.

        Top seed Nikita Benton opened the day with a big 266 game, and got up to +104 after four games, but went downhill from there.  She just barely hung on to the #1 spot, but once she got on the lanes for the title match she regained the form she started with, controlling the game from teh start, eventually winning 227-201 for her second career JBT title.

        Elisa also made the finals of the day's JBT Women's Series event, but fell 209-176 to Courtney Nikolas.

        Thanks to the whole crew at Firebird for a great job hosting our Tour for the first time.  Over $1,400 in scholarships we earned by bowlers of all averages and ages- want in on the fun?  Come on out to our next event, it's that simple!