ALL-BAKER 5-PERSON SHOOTOUT

champs Kyle King, Darcie Staggs, Ken McElvaney, Matt Jones, and Doane Cole

     "The Mayors Of Striketown" lived up to their name, capturing the JBT So Cal Baker Shootout held at Canoga Park Bowl.

     The team that (voluntarily) called themselves The Estrogen Warriors led after 12 games of Baker-style qualifying, a true team effort that led to a raucous, college tournament-like atmosphere that is a clear favorite for everyone.  The Mayors were close behind, while #3 Purple People Eaters and #4 Team Dino also earned one-round byes in the best-of-3 matchplay portion.

    In the round of 8,  those Purple People Eaters ate up #5 Impact Bowling Pro Shop 2-1, 176-173 in the third game.  The Mayors eliminated #7 One Love with a big 269 in the finale for a 2-1 win.  Team Dino outlasted #11 Team Skittles 237-189 in the third, while the Estrogen Warriors suffered the only sweep and the only upset, as #9 It Is What It Is, riding a wave of momentum, won the match 2-0.

   In the semifinals,  The Mayors swept out the Purple People 212-176 and 232-190, while Team Dino (Adam Dubia, Dino Bidwell, Brandon Kraye, Scott Kraye, Alex Chuo) came back to win the final two games to eliminate It Is What It Is 2-1, 223-185 in the deciding game.

   The title match, filled with talented bowlers from both JBT and So Cal history, proved to be a blowout for The Mayors, who caught a major roll and never let Team Dino in either game, to the bitter, bitter disappointment of a nearly inconsolable Dino Bidwell.   The Mayors won the match 235-163, and 265-159, earning 1st JBT wins each for Darcie Staggs and former Team USA member Doane Cole.  It was Ken McElvaney's 2nd title, while Matt Jones claimed his landmark 5th, and Kyle King kept his dream season rolling along with JBT victory #26.

   Matt Jones was definitely a candidate for "Best Week Ever".  After watching his beloved Florida Gators reach the title game in college football on Saturday, he backed up the Baker win by beating the 129 other entrants for a bonus $100 scholarship in the "9's alive" side competition, held after game 6 of qualifying.  The event lasted 13 rounds, with bowlers getting an 8-count or less after each shot (strikes only after round five) eliminated.  In round 10 it was down to Jones, Spiesman, and Brandon McGinness.  Spiesman bowed out in that round, creating a back-and-forth for the ages with the center erupting after Matt and Brandon each went strike for strike, making their respective crowds nearly delirious.  After McGinnes finally blinked with a 7-count in round 13, Jones calmly stepped up and struck AGAIN- making it 13 for 13 in the event (no 9 counts at all!), for the well-deserved win. 

     Big thanks to everyone at Canoga for their usual terrific job making us feel very welcome at their center.  Almost $1,600 was awarded at the event- want on on the most fun in junior bowling?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!