Heading to Secoma Lanes, we expected a pretty decent turnout this week and that expectation was met as there were 157 entries, 32 bowlers on the cash list with six scoring over 1000 and an on target cut-line @917. 

Throughout the day, we were notified multiple times when someone had a string of 9-taps going and for the second straight week, Leon Bemis had a 7th shot for big money!  Last week, you'll recall that Leon hit the 'Front 6', then left the 2-4-5 on his money shot for the jackpot...This week he was going for the  'Middle 7' and did the same thing again, which made way for Donna Columbo & Tom Melberg to take the consolation for hitting the 'Front 5'. Donna & Tom  each took home $375.00, swiping a total of $750.00 from the Jackpot as it settled back below the $8k mark. 

The Newsletter subject line mentioned the Top 4 being decided in the last frame and we weren't kidding!  As the scores rolled in, we first processed Tong Nguyen's recap as he posted 1048, shortly after that, Joe Fincher, Jr's 1042 came in followed by James Black's 1045. We thought that was it, #1 Tong, #2 James & #3 Joe...Then we noticed a group gathering behind lanes 31 & 32 as they were the last group bowling.  Not really knowing what the scenario was, we waiting and someone said "Jesse needs to strike out in the 10th to win."  Of course, we know from experience not to always trust what we hear through the grapevine, but turns out that it was kind of true as Jesse needed the first strike and good count in the 10th to win.  However, Jesse took the drama out of it and punched out to finish like a champion!  More on Jesse (below) 

Fincher, Jr's 4th Place finish comes off of a 3rd Place a few weeks back at our 3rd Quarter Championship.  Nice bowling, Joe!  Mr. Black has now cashed in FIVE straight tournaments as he's arguably the tour's hottest bowler and we're pretty sure that he's the first ever to place 3rd in THREE straight touney's!  Winning a nice $588.00 puts 5-time Champ over the $40k mark for career earnings and pads his already impressive career resume.  Tong nearly captured win #12 this week as his career earnings jumped to over $56k after winning $1,137.00 this week.  Tong said "I'm not worried about it, it's just bowling."  Well, Tong...it may just be bowling, but today it was great bowling! 

Jesse McReynolds had no intention to bowl this week as he normally works on Saturday's, but when he went to work, the boss told him that he wasn't needed.  Perhaps some coaxing from  brother, Jason, Jesse showed up with his friend, Princess, checked in and went to work on the lanes!  Wearing his Dexter SST 8's and throwing his Roto Grip 'Halo', Jesse shot 254-278-265-231 on the way to his first title as he earned a HUGE winner's share of $2,567.00 which he says he'll use to "Help my family with some debts and maybe a dinner."  He added a big thank you to all of his lane mates, including his brother, (Jason), Shane Thompson, Madelin Coughlin, Tara Strand, Ken Seaton &  Megan Rosa.  Finally, Jesse said "Thanks to the 9 Tap Tour and all of their support, they all make this feel like a family!"  Thank you, Jesse and CONGRATULATIONS!