STRIKE ZONE

champs Austin Signoretti (he's very happy) and DJ Sloan

        Austin Signoretti had an historic handicap division performance all day long, while DJ Sloan needed just one game to almost make his own history, in exciting JBT Mojave Conference action at Sunset Station's Strike Zone.

        Sloan climbed the ladder en route to his sixth career JBT title.  He began with a 176-165 win over Jordan Ferrer.  He followed with a big 253-215 win over Brian Weyrauch, and beat Cory Keraly in the semifinals 211-177 to reach the title game.

        Top seed Ryan Howard had dominated the event, leading since round one and looking for his second title.  It's a good sign for Howard's future, as this is one of the four patterns that will be used at the JBT Touring Players' Championship, held in July at Strike Zone.   However, DJ was riding all the momentum from the three previous wins, and Ryan could only watch as Sloan ran the front nine strikes in the title match.  Needing three more for only the second 300 in a JBT title match (Matt Jones, in 1999, is still the only one), Sloan carried the first two shots, but a 10-pin stopped him on the final ball for a 299, and a loud ovation from the big crowd hanging around to watch. 

        Steven Acuff has watched his brother Derek do most of the family's damage in JBT lately, and he obviously had enough of that, as he opened up the handicap finals with a huge 291-220 win over Donovan Koff.  He was almost as unbeatable in round two, defeating Brian Grupe 274-233.  Acuff rolled a fine 235 in game three, but Tyler Ottenschot came up even bigger with a 246 to advance to the title match. 

        Top seed Austin Signoretti, judging by the picture above, was just as stunned as we were about his performance all day long.  The JBT regular has had okay but unspectacular results lately, but absolutely exploded today for the second-best 5-game handicap total EVER (+324), and 8th-best 8-game total (+421).  The title match was a close one, as neither bowler was up to his previous high-scoring theatrics, but Signoretti had enough left for a 217-206 win and his first career JBT title.

        Thanks as always to the crew at Strike Zone for hosting our Tour.  Over $1,300 in scholarships were awarded to bowlers of all averages- want in on the fun?  Check out the schedule and come on out to the next JBT event, it's that simple!