We're closing in on the conclusion of our 50th bowling season, with only two weeks left to go (and only one that counts). While the standings remained as sturdy as a stubborn 10-pin that refused to fall despite rocking to the limits of the laws of physics, the battle on the lanes was anything but predictable. Except, predictably, JoAnne Barber picked up this week's high game (159) and series (422) for the women. Not as predictable, Seth Gunderson earned this week's high game (258) and series (633) for the men that some might eye with a bit of an asterisk due to being pre-bowled but it was all on the up and up. Meanwhile, Tournament of Champions is officially down to its final eight bowlers, who each win extra cash and will face each other next week competing for two even bigger cash prizes! Oh, and lest we forget, somebody (not Seth) achieved a new personal best game and series. Read on to find out who!

See Also: This week's Bingo results

First up, on lanes 1 & 2: Grumpy Old Men clashed with the Sun Dolphins in a showdown that had the alley buzzing. Despite AJ Hofmann's team-leading but below-average 495 series (and a huge assist from a 210 game by Nathan Burrows ), the Grumps showed their teeth dentures, snagging 3 wins against the Dolphins. The tension was palpable as Scott Thompson, with his slightly-off 401 series, managed to salvage just a single win for the Dolphins -- assisted by a game 3 surge by Ryan Sisco. The Grumpy Old Men were as ecstatic as they the are capable of getting, their spirits riding high as they held their ground in 3rd place, while the Sun Dolphins couldn't help but feel a little beached, languishing in 6th.

On lanes 3 & 4: It was a battle of equals as DB Lenz a Hand took on It Starts Now! The pins trembled under the force of Doug Lenz's above-average 473 series, yet despite his efforts, Lenz Handlers managed only 1 win against Starts. The alley was alight with excitement as the #1 Power-Ranked and Most Valuable Bowler, Brett Affolter, led Starts to victory with an impressive 606 series, securing 3 wins for his team. DB Lenz a Hand couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment, holding onto 5th place, while It Starts Now! reveled in their triumph, maintaining their 4th place standing.

Finally, down on lanes 5 & 6: Squid Row faced off against the again-absent Schindler's Fists in a match filled with cries of shenanigans as well as a bit of suspense as each of Seth Gunderson's pre-bowl scores populated the scoreboard. Despite Ben Spencer's valiant effort with his 523 series, the Squids managed only 1 win against the absent-minded Fists. However, in a performance that would have left the alley in awe had it not been rolled in absentia 3 days earlier, #1 Head-to-Head Seth Gunderson unleashed a 633 series, leading his team (or, more accurately, himself) to a resounding 3 wins. Though Squid Row was annoyed by the losses, they held their tentacles high knowing that their 1st place position is unshakable, while Schindler's Fists, though absent save for a lone pre-bowled effort, maintained their grip on 2nd place, leaving the alley echoing with their legendary runner-up status. Henceforth and forever, Amen and amen. These two teams will face each other again next week on the same lanes, assuming of course the Fists show up.

If you haven't RSVPed for the Fall 2024 Season yet, please do so on next week's score sheet! Nothing is set yet but assume a start date within 1 week on either side of August 27.

Bowlers who stripped naked and shared a cozy hot tub together in a back room at The 200 Club include: Ben Spencer (214), Brett Affolter (235,200), Nathan Burrows (210), and Seth Gunderson (258)

A new personal high game was set tonight by Brett Affolter (235, previous best 230). In addition, a new personal best series was rolled by Brett Affolter (606, previous best 596).

In this week's Tournament of Champions brackets: Nobody claimed victory in Division 1 (though AJ Hofmann came closest), while Seth Gunderson dominated Division 2. JoAnne Barber staked a claim for the Iron Throne in Division 3, and Jim Koger creamed Division 4. Congratulations to our division champions! The following eight people will compete next week for the big prize! Division 1: Matthew Taylor and Dennis Walling. Division 2: Scott Thompson and Brett Affolter. Division 3: Chris Windham and Doug Lenz. Division 4: Carl Mueller and Jim Koger.

NEXT WEEK:

• First, on lanes 1&2, 6th-place Sun Dolphins (hcp 52) will spend some quality time with 5th-place DB Lenz a Hand. Dolphins are expected to roll a little low and get swept; while Lenz Handlers are forecast to raise their average while they rack up a sweep.
• Moving to lanes 3&4, 4th-place It Starts Now! will face 3rd-place Grumpy Old Men (hcp 6). Starts might maintain their current strength as they win the series; while Grumps ought to drop their average a bit while they avoid getting swept.
• Finally, on lanes 5&6, 2nd-place Schindler's Fists (hcp 14) will meet with 1st-place Squid Row. Fists are predicted to have a bit of an off night and get swept; while Squids are anticipated to raise their average while they rack up a sweep.

^*(Remember, the predicted results above are based on mathematical extrapolations and can be changed by all sorts of factors. If you don't like how your team's results are predicted, you and your teammates have the power to prove the math wrong!)

THIS WEEK'S MVB Brett Affolter Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Brett Affolter Runner Up: Seth Gunderson	#1 H2H BOWLER Seth Gunderson Runner Up: Brett Affolter
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "I love how your balls look, Scott." Scott Thompson, to Scott Murdock, after the latter Scott put his balls to good use.