DESERT LANES

champs Jeff Mathews and Kristin Cathcart

A JBT veteran and a JBT rookie won their first titles in exciting Mojave Conference action at Desert Lanes.

The scratch division used the exciting PBA format, with a cut to the top 16 followed by best 2-of-3 matchplay.  Christian Jensen led qualifying on a very tough pattern as the only bowler to average over 200, but fell in match one to #16 seed Shane Peck.  Peck then made it all the way to the semifinals, where he stayed on a roll, defeating #3 DJ Sloan 198-180 to reach the title match.  In the other semi, #8 Jeff Mathews, who had remained consistent all day, defeated #11 Kyle Bridgman 204-162 to reach his first title match.

The title match followed the same pattern, with the consistent Matthews, who had only 3 games under 190 all day, getting the Marks he needed to outlast Peck 198-153, good for a long-awaited first JBT victory.

The handicap stepladder finals opened up with red-hot Logan Kennedy continuing his big-time roll of late with a 248-198 win over Joseph Pherreigo.  Kennedy rolled on in round two, with a 218-176 win over Darcie Staggs, before Josephs' brother Victor avenged the Pherreigo family witha  200-156 win over Kennedy to reach the title match.

Top qualifier Kristin Cathcart had an excellent day in her first JBT event, with all 8 games over her average.  The song remained the same in the finale, with Cathcart cruising to a 223-143 win, good for the first title of her JBT career.

64 bowlers competed in the event, and we hope everyone who attended had a great time, and will spread the word about the great benefits of bowling JBT.   Everyone who finished in the top 5 qualifies for the 2007 JBT Mojave Invitational Tournament, the regular season's year end event, featuring a guaranteed minimum $1,000 first place scholarship in each division.  Top season-long point scorers also qualify for the 2007 JBT Touring Players' Championship, featuring a guaranteed minimum $2,000 first place scholarship per division! 

Big thanks to everyone at Desert Lanes for hosting our event.  Over $1,500 in scholarships were awarded.  Want in on the fun?  Come on out to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!