JBT TOURNAMENT OF ALL-TIME CHAMPS

champs Nicholas Lee and Amanda Ailport

    Nicholas Lee and Amanda Ailport topped an all-champions field to capture the scratch and handicap titles of the JBT's Tournament of All-Time Champions, hosted by Tucson's Santa Cruz Lanes.

    Both bowlers climbed the stepladder finals for their second career JBT titles.  Lee began with a 238-224 win over 5-time champion Cameron Smith, and followed with a 234-164 drubbing of another Californian, one-time champ James Hawkins Jr., to reach the title match.

    Top seed Kyle King was looking to add a major title to his ridiculously good JBT season, but Lee, by far the hardest-throwing bowler on our entire Tour, was able to play his A-game on the drying out wood surface, while Kyle struggled to tweak his ball reaction to carry, and by the time he did it was too late.  Lee cruised to a 218-177 win and the $300 scholarship prize for the championship.

    Ailport began her climb to victory with a 223-197 win over Justin Givler, ousting the last remaining male in the handicap division.  Amanda then caught fire in the next game, shooting 250 scratch to beat Martika Cabezas 277-223 to reach the totle match.

    As great as her season has been, top seed Kaitlin Mayall has been unable to break through for a title, running into either bad luck, opponents bowling very well, or difficult handicap differentials that conspired to deny her another win.  In this title match, all three came into play, as Ailport bowled a terrific 213 game, Mayall suffered a solid-8 mid-game, and she was giving 14 pins, adding up to a 233-212 win for Ailport, and career JBT title #2.

   Thanks again to Dale Schnell and the whole crew at Santa Cruz for a great job hosting our Tour.  Dale truly understands the value of high quality junior bowling, and everything he does to help make our events possible is very much appreciated!