SANTA FE STATION

champs Derek Acuff & Brandon Duffy

        Derek Acuff and Brandon Duffy captured JBT titles in our return to Santa Fe Station in exciting Mojave Conference action.

        Acuff was unstoppable as he roared up the scratch division stepladder finals.  He began with a 236-194 win over Brad Hansen.  Acuff then strung the first nine in a 279-238 win over Zack Hattori, and followed with another huge game in a 264-236 win over Curtis Lindeman to reach the title match.

        After that 779 first three games, top seed Dallas Leong had to be concerned, but with the help of newfound confidence from capturing his first title last month at Riverside, he remained right in the match.  After Dallas struck out to force Derek to mark, Acuff spared a 6-pin, good for a 224-217 win and the fifth title of his JBT career.

        Ian Hanuscin began an equally impressive- and much more nervewracking- climb up the handicap stepladder with a 235-234 win over KJ Martinez, when KJ couldn't spare a 10th-frame 5-7 split.  Kayla Goad then needed a double to beat Ian in game 2, but couldn't get the second hit, so Hanuscin advanced 198-194.  First-time finalist Veronica Schleicher then rolled an outstanding 266 semifinal game, but Ian came up with an even bigger 285 to move on to the title game.

        Top seed Brandon Duffy had by far the best day of his JBT career, rolling 7 out of 8 games over 200 to easily capture the top seed in a very high-scoring day overall.  He had let nerves get the better of him in previous situations like this, but this time it was all confidence and great shotmaking, and he finished off the day with a 231-203 win over Hanuscin, capturing the first title of his JBT career.

        Thanks to the crew at Santa Fe Station for a great job hosting us in our first visit to the spectacular center in a few years. Over $1,300 in scholarships were awarded to bowlers of all averages- if you want in on the fun and action that only JBT events offer, simply check out our schedule and come on out to the next JBT event, it's that simple!