OASIS LANES

champs Nathan Shock and Angela Walls

    Nathan Shock and Angela Walls captured their first JBT titles in exciting NM-TX Conference action at El Paso's Oasis Lanes.

    Kyle King, who defeated Jess Gagliardi in a rolloff just to get to the finals, opened up the scratch division stepladder finals with a 211-199 win over Billy Read.  King, in search of his 30th JBT title, then got by early leader Diego Lucero 205-164.  In the semifinal match, King stopped Shock 206-183 to reach the title match.

   In a match destined to eventually happen, Shock faced top seed William Entsminger for the title.  William and Nathan are 1-2 in points this season, but neither bowler has ever won a JBT title, despite numerous opportunities and more than enough skills to do so.  In a match that was, appropriately enough, tied after 7 frames, Shock had the stronger finish.  His strike-spare in the tenth forced Entsminger to get all three strikes in his tenth frame to win, and it was not to be.  Shock's 203-170 win earned him the oh-so-long-awaited first career JBT title.

   Ryan Red opened up the handicap division stepladder finals with a 224-188 win over fellow first time finalist Nick Priddy.  For his efforts, Ryan got to face his big brother next, but he was up to the task, defeating Roman Red 211-173.  7 year-old Nicklaus Myers, who finished the semifinals with a 195 scratch game (!), then defeated Red 241-198, advancing him to his first title match.

   Top seed Angela Walls held off the hard-charging Myers by just 8 pins for the top seed, and the Albuquerque bowler was not only the only non El Paso bowler, but also the finalist with by far the most JBT experience.  None of that bothered the talented Myers, but in the end, Angela used a good combination of good shots and good-carrying brooklyn hits to defeat Nick 251-187 for her first JBT title.

   It should also be noted that although we are thrilled for Angela and Nathan for their wins, they also happen to be two of the best sports on our Tour as well, and it's nice when the nice guys (and gals) finish first. 

   Over $1,600 in scholarships were awarded to bowlers of all ages and averages.  Want in on the fun?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!