STARLIGHT LANES

champs Nick Devlin, Vanessa Romero, & Nathaniel Duran

        Two New Mexicans defended their home state's turf, while an Oregon superstar took home the scratch crown, in exciting NM-TX Conference JBT action at Starlight Lanes.

        Joey Balistreri began the scratch division stepladder finals with a 236-200 win over Josh Demick.  Devlin then took over, defeating his ASU teammate 222-164, and following with a 247-178 win over a snakebit Angel Ortega to reach the title game.

        Blayne Hurst had the best day of his scratch division career in gaining the top seed, but had his hands full with Devlin, one of the best strike stringers on Tour.  By the time Hurst had to burn his one remaining mulligan mid-game, it was already too late, as Nick struck from the fourth through the tenth in an exciting 256-244 win, good for the 12th title of his JBT career.

        Kory Hetmer left no doubt as to the winner of the first handicap stepladder match would be, as he blasted 278 scratch for a 306-179 win over Matteo Bergonzi.  Mariano Garcia then slowed down Kory 212-204.  Elizabeth Romero, fresh off her first win the day before, then gained a chance to sweep the weekend with a 245-200 win over Garcia to advance to the title match.

        Top seed Nathaniel Duran had a terrible first game in qualifying, but quickly righted the ship in game two and never looked back, roaring to the top seed.  He was just as effective in the title game, beating Romero 266-210, good for the third title of his JBT career.

        The battle of Las Cruces continued in the day's girls title match, and this time Vanessa Romero came out on top against Adel Wahner 221-206 for the day's Women's Series title.

        Thanks as always to the crew at Starlight for hosting us.  Want in on all the fun for all ages and averages?  Just come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!