SOUTH POINT BOWLING CENTER

champs Cameron Smith & Paul Huether

    Cameron Smith and Paul Huether used two different routes to JBT victory in exciting Mojave Conference action at South Point.

    Kyle King, who seems to rarely miss a top-5 these days, opened up the scratch division stepladder finals with a 231-215 win over Foster Phandanouvong.  The quickly-improving James Hawkins then won round two over King 209-182, but was stopped cold by Smith in the semifinals, who made JBT history by becoming the first bowler in our 13-year history to roll two 300 games in the stepladder finals in their career, this time 300-191 over Hawkins.  Smith's feat is even more impressive considering his first perfecto (on a PBA pattern) was just last month in California!  Smith has always flown just under the radar of some of our JBT superstars, but that is quickly changing with outstanding performances like these.

   Top seed Matt Jones was striking plenty himself,  grabbing the lead from Smith in game 8 with a big game (and a pocket 7-10 from Cameron in his tenth frame).  A win would have put Matt over the $10,000 mark in career JBT earnings, but he could do little to stop Cameron, who after a slight adjustment pounded the last 7 strikes for a 256-214 win over Jones for the title.  When Cameron found the carry angle he was unbeatable today, having also fired a 290 and a 279 earlier in the tournament!  The high scoring all-day performance was good for his 7th career JBT title.

    Bethany Baker and Aubrey Calabrese both bowled fantastic games in the opening round of the handicap stepladder finals, but it was Baker who came away with the 262-242 win.  Huether then began a Houdini act, first escaping from Baker 190-187, then slipping by Josh Shoup 194-190 when Shoup opened in the final frame. 

   Given two second chances, the veteran Huether found his footing against top seed Teri Haennelt, who despite bowling terrifically all day, struggled a little bit in her first ever appearance as a JBT top seed.  In the end, Paul won the game 223-186, for his 4th career JBT title. 

   Thanks to the whole crew at South Point for being wonderful hosts as always.  Over $1,800 in scholarships were awarded to the 82-bowler field.  Want in on the fun?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!