RIVERSIDE LANES

champs BJ Baker & Kevin Narciso

Who says it never snows in the desert ?  On what was supposed to be just another short road trip to Laughlin for Mojave Conference bowlers, those coming from the Las Vegas area were treated to a vicious, blinding snowstorm while travelling through the mountains.  Others coming from the southwest were welcomed by a pelting rain that would not stop.

One person not slowed down by Mother Nature was BJ Baker who led wire to wire and finished in grand style, making the 7-10 split in the championship match and eventually winning by two pins.  Overshadowed by Baker's theatrics was Kevin Narciso who gave himself a gift for his 18th birthday by shooting two huge games when he needed them.

In the scratch division, San Diego's Theo Douthit opened up the stepladder finals with a 213-196 win over Mojave Conference point leader Nathan Panaligan.  This was the 4th time Nathan has appeared in the finals out of 5 events including back-to-back wins at Suncoast and Gold Coast.  In round two, Eddie Schaub, who had his finest performance yet in JBTSW action, was able to stay clean through nine frames while Douthit ran into spare trouble, Schaub winning 192-171.  Christian Jensen and Schaub then went toe to toe with each other in the semifinal match.  Each bowler had identical scores for the first nine frames.  With the pressure mounting and Jensen posting a 218, Schaub needed to get the first strike in the tenth for the win.  An untimely split ended Schaub's run and Jensen was going to the finals.  For Schaub, the third place finish moved him into the top 10 in point standings.  The championship match started with Baker leaving the dreaded 7-10 split.  Baker had led all day long averaging a whopping 244 for his eight games and placing himself in the record books with the eighth highest 8 game total in JBTSW history with +442.  BJ went for the split and incredibly the 7 pin flew out of the pit and knocked over the 10!  Jensen, amused yet unfazed by the fortunate break, started off with a triple before landing his own split.  By frame 6 the two bowlers were locked in a tie that would last until their ninth frames.   Baker threw a big double in the 9th and tenth frames to finish with a 214 forcing Jensen to throw his own double in the 10th frame for the title.  Jensen was able to pull off the first one but came up short on his next toss leaving him with 212 and a disappointing second place finish.  For Baker, his 5th career title vaulted him into 8th place in point standings and pushed his scholarship earnings for the season over $1000.  In addition, the 2003/2004 Sportsmanship Award winner is now eligible for the Mojave Conference Invitational Tournament in May, 2005.  Last season's Invitational  awarded over $5000 in scholarships to 55 bowlers.

In the handicap division, Jordan Ferrer made the best effort he could to climb the ladder toward his first title.  The Las Vegas native bowled well all day throwing a huge 268 in the last game of semifinal play to vault him into fourth position.  Once there, he disposed of Matt Pentz by staying clean for nine frames, winning 202-169.  Ferrer then faced Kris George, who was looking for his first title since claiming the Mojave Conference Invitational last season.  Once again Ferrer stayed clean, tripling in the 9th and tenth frames to seal the win 224-190.  In the semifinal match, both Ferrer and second seeded Matt Raagas would struggle.  Ferrer left three splits, converting the 4-9 early in the match.  With Raagas done, Ferrer needed to come up with a clutch double for the win.  He did just that, burying both balls for a 175-167 victory and a shot at the championship match.  Tournament leader Kevin Narciso had just recently won his first regular singles title one month ago at AMF Deer Valley in his hometown of Phoenix.  It was his 18th birthday today and he let everyone know he came to win by rolling a 276-709 actual set in the semifinals to take over the lead.  Ferrer wasn't about to give in though.  After sparing in the first frame, he rattled off a six-bagger, apparently saving his best for last.  Not to be outdone, Narciso doubled and, after a spare, would have a five-bagger of his own.  Holding on to a slim lead, Ferrer then suffered a split in the eight frame that would all but end his chance at his first title.  Narciso struck out for a big 258-239 score, leaving Ferrer wondering what he must do to earn a title.  For Narciso it was his 3rd career JBTSW title and vaulted him to over $600 in earnings this season.