BEST IN THE WEST XIV

Champs Cameron Smith & Aaron Raymond

Cameron Smith and Aaron Raymond captured the first major titles of the 07-08 JBT season by winning their divisions in the Best In The West XIV event, hosted by BRC Zone Mesa.

The unique format had bowlers roll five rounds of elimination matches on Saturday and three more on Sunday, meaning that bowlers may have rolled as many as 24 games just to qualify for the finals!  In round one of the scratch finals, JR Monteith, our current all-conference Bowler of the Year, converted a 4-9 split in the tenth to edge Greg Shoaf (184) and Will McPherson (183) to win round one.  In the semifinal, Theo Douthit came up with a big 238 on the PBA Scorpion pattern to oust Monteith (224) and Matt Jones (171) to reach the final.

Everyone in scratch is talking about Kyle King this year, but top seed Cameron Smith is one of a bunch of others having fine seasons also, having already won at Cliff Castle in September.  He and Theo engaged in an entertaining match filled with good shots and weird carry.  After Douthit's spare in the tenth, Smith stepped up needing a double for the win.  Cameron flushed both shots for a 217-211 win, the fourth victory of his JBT career, and a $685 scholarship payday.

8 year-old Rebecca Meils opened the handicap stepladder with a 245 game that beat Nicholas Rumley (227) and defending Best in the West champ Anthony Cruz (166).  In the semifinal matchup, Martika Cabezas doubled in the tenth for a 224 game that edged both Rane Lacona (218) and Meils (217), advancing her to her first title match.

Top seed Aaron Raymond was enjoying his best JBT event ever, but Cabezas was determined to finish off a protracted struggle in JBT events with the win here.  In a well bowled match by both bowlers, Aaron's tenth frame strike locked up a 219-203 win and the title, the first of his career, and a $500 scholarship winner's check.

112 bowlers competed in the event, which awarded over $4,400 in scholarships.  Big thanks to the whole crew at BRC Zone Mesa for another fine job hosting this intense but very fun event.  Want in on the action?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!

For more info, feel free to write us at jbtsouthwest@aol.com.