BEST IN THE WEST

champs Dallas Leong & Zach Rapp

        Dallas Leong claimed his second JBT major title, while Zach Rapp won his second event in a row, at the JBT's Best In The West tournament, hosted by Brunswick Zone Mesa.

        The unique format ranked bowlers solely on the points scored in elimination-style matches.  Cortez Schenck led the scratch field after five rounds on Saturday, as twelve bowlers advanced to Sunday, with increased points meaning increased pressure on every shot.  Six bowlers then advanced to the finals, where seeds 3-6 played in round one, with KJ Martinez (244) and Dallas Leong (185) escaping from Matthew Redmon (173) and Tim Jacob (159).  Jacob's finals appearance wasn't his only highlight on the day, as he shot a 300 game, the only of the event, Sunday morning to help boost him into the finals. 

        Schenck and Riley Dempsey joined the survivors for the semifinals, which proved to be the closest 4-way game we've ever had.  On the very demanding pattern, Riley split in the tenth to finish at 191, while KJ marked to lock up a spot at 199.  Dallas and Cortez then left 5-7 and 2-10 splits respectively, each needing to make it to knock the other out.    Leong electrified the crowd by converting his, forcing Schenck to make his 2-10.  He gave it a good shot but barely missed it, giving Dallas (197) a ticket to the finals and Schenck (192) a heartbreaking third place finish.

        Perhaps tired from two days and 20-plus games of bowling as well as the stress of the past match and the pressure of a major title, the final game was low scoring.  In the end, Dallas survived for a 182-146 win, and second consecutive major title, having won the TPC in July.  It's the 7th title of his JBT career overall.

        9 year-old Tyler Hedges (253) and Ryan Zent (207) ousted 8 year-old Daryus Alo (183) and Aaron Coleman (203) to begin the handicap division finals.  Zach Rapp then came on strong with 238, while Hedges remained strong with 229, eliminating Zent (211) and Shelby Dempsey (218) to set up the title game.

        The title match came down to the final frame, but in the end Rapp edged Hedges 199-196 to earn the title, the second of his JBT career.

        Thanks as always to the crew at Zone Mesa for hosting us.  Want in on all the fun?  Just check out our schedule and come on down!