champs Steven Black and Kris George.Dominance was defined by two title winning performances in JBT SW action at Havasu Lanes, a stone's throw away from the world famous London Bridge. Steven Black, Phoenix, AZ rolled his 18th career perfect game and earned his 32nd JBTSW title, coming close to breaking several records along the way. Meanwhile, Kris George, the defending champion, was making news of his own, winning three matches including a dramatic championship match enroute to his 5th career handicap division title.
The scratch division finals began with a pair of Las Vegans battling it out. Johnny Ray, making his first finals appearance, made the best of it by coming from behind to defeat DJ Sloan 191-161. Ray would again pull ahead in the closing frames to defeat #3 seed Shaun Rieve 189-164. The semifinal match pitted Ray, whose best previous finish had been 6th place, against Mojave Points Leader Nathan Panaligan. What had been a high scoring contest during qualifying turned into a game of who could make the most spares. Both bowlers traded spares through the first five frames but once again Ray showed up with a clutch double late in the match that would prove to be all he needed to dispose of Panaligan 201-186 and get a shot at tournament leader Black. The title match remained close thru the first few frames. Ray threw a double early but soon ran into trouble with a few misses. Black never looked back, winning 237-161. Black's 300 to open the semifinals was his 6th in JBTSW play. He finished his 8 games of qualifying at +501, just one pin shy of the all time record held by William Haverland of Texas. Blame Shaun Rieve for the near miss, as he and Black tied at 246 in game eight and had to split their bonus pins. Steven also swept the day's brackets, so his win was worth a wwhopping $515 in scholarships! In the point standings, Black moved into 2nd in the Mojave Conference while Ray clearly made the biggest jump in Mojave moving up 5 spots into 7th place. The top 5 bowlers in points earn exemptions directly into the finals portion of the scholarship-rich Invitational at the end of the season.
The handicap division used a modified eight person finals today. The first round included Kevin Houck, Kaylie Waynick and Alicia Sullivan bowling against each other. Sullivan was able to come from behind with a key double in the tenth frame to win with a 217 against Houck's 207 and Waynick's 196. Kris George and Anthony Cruz entered the next match against Sullivan. George would power his way to a 215 game against Sullivan's 200 and Cruz's 167. In the semifinal round, George would come up with a clutch double in the 9th and 10th frames for a 216 to squeak by Justin White's 205 and Kylee Bonneville's 173. In entered Shane Peck, the tournament leader from San Bernardino, CA. Shane had virtually lapped the field during qualifying, clearly having one of his best tournaments ever. However, as often happens, title matches can be quite a test. Peck appeared to be in control for the first half of the match, putting on a spare clinic for six frames while George had difficulty on one lane. George filled 20 pins in the 10th frame and Peck had to finish the match needing only a spare and one pin for victory. Peck easily picked up his spare and it appeared the match was over and Peck would have his second title of the season. Remarkably, Peck's fill ball fell into the gutter leaving the audience stunned and gasping. The gutter resulted in a tie match at 197 and forced a dramatic 4 frame rolloff. George would go on to spare all four frames of the rolloff. Peck, who had missed a spare, now needed a double in the last frame to win but it was not to be and the rolloff ended 78-75. George won for the first time this season after having a record 4 titles last year including Havasu last April and the Mojave Invitational in May. No other handicap division bowler has ever had more victories in JBTSW play. It was also his 13th top 5 career appearance, leaving him just 3 shy of the record of 16 held by Dan Bodinet.
Thanks to the great staff at Havasu Lanes for hosting our event.