TEXAS STAR LANES at Texas Station

champs Kris George & Eric Hatchett

    Kris George ended a long victory drought, while Eric Hatchett just kept on winning, in exciting JBT Mojave Conference action at texas Station.

   Our exciting survivor format was used, with low-bowler-out matchplay after the qualifying round.  In the scratch division, 18 survivors were whittled down to 6, and in that round, qualifying leader Kyle King eliminated Zach Hattori 214-179, Randy Cote eliminated Jeff Belding 215-192, and while George edged Foster Phandanouvong 215-214, they both advanced to a rematch since Foster was the high losing score.

  In the semifinal matches, King beat Cote in a high scoring battle 259-238, while Kris beat Foster again, 212-193, to set up a title match with 33 titles and over $35,000 in JBT earnings between the two of them.  In the finale, Kris, who hadn't won since the 2007 Desert Open, began with the first 8 strikes en route to beating King 254-223 for his 15th career JBT title.

   18 handicap division survivors were also whittled down to 6, and in that round, Ian Hanuscin eliminated Alicia Sullivan 211-206, Eric Hatchett eliminated Eric Demo 197-171, and while Josh Shoup beat Justin Givler 226-213, both bowlers advanced because Justin had the high losing score. 

   In the semifinals, Las Vegans held their home turf, as Hansucin beat Shoup 254-210, and Hatchett beat Givler 216-202 to set up the finale.  In the title game, Hatchett, the defending Bowler of the Year, beat Hanuscin, the defending Invitational champ, 234-206, for his 4th career JBT title.

    Melissa Huether was the winner of the Women's Series event held in conjunction with the tournament.  After making the cut in the regular event, she then outlasted Hannah Chipman 183-171 for the title, earning her a potential bonus at the 2009 JBT Girls Invitational.

   Big thanks as always to Jerry Francomano and the crew at Texas Station for being some of our most welcoming hosts every season.  We look forward to the Main Event at Texas Station in December!  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!