GLENFAIR LANES

champs Brian Ballard and Emilio Luna

   Two bowlers at opposite ends of their JBT careers tasted victory for the first time, in exciting JBT action at Glenfair Lanes.

   JBT superstars Kris George and Kyle King opened the scratch division stepladder finals with a thrilling match.  After Kyle finished at 246, Kris threw three perfect shots in the tenth for a one pin win, 247-246..  There was no rest for George in round two, and he escaped again, this time 241-236 over James Hawkins.  In the semifinals, Kris rode his momentum to a 226-172 win over Miguel Lopez to reach the JBT-TV title match.

   Top seed Brian Ballard has been bowling with us a while, but had yet to earn a title.  He took full advantage of the opportunity through nine frames, going spare-eight bagger to get within a mark of the title.  After leaving a  7-pin in the tenth, Ballard stunned the crowd by missing it left, giving Kris a chance to strike out to tie the game at 257, nearly a carbon copy of the round one situation.  After getting the first two strikes, George left a heartbreaking solid-9 pin on the last ball, giving Ballard the 257-256 victory and the long-awaited first title.

   Josh Shoup has been bowling much better lately, and opened round one of the handicap finals with a 237 game that beat Daniel Cotten (225) and Jared Billman (187).  He then upped his score to 249 next game, but fell to Deven Johnston's 251, with Travis Johnson's 191 good for fifth place.  Tanner Hill then beat Johnston and Keller to reach the title match.

   Top seed Emilio Luna suffered through the first few AZ events to establish his JBT average, and took full advantage once he reached the 15-game mark, easily leading the event in his hometown.  He finished it off with a 243-187 win over Hill to claim his first career JBT title.

  Over $2,000 in scholarships were awarded to the 87-player field.  Thanks to everyone at Glenfair for hosting us- the center has been wonderfully remodeled with more great updates on the way, so be sure to check it out in person!  Want in on the fun?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!