The Fall 2024 season reaches its thrilling conclusion, with Squid Row finally, and we do mean finally, clinching this season's championship title! It's a triumph for the team that should have locked this up two weeks ago, making the extended wait a bit exasperating and a little embarrassing for the squid squad. Next week, we'll gather at our usual time to name award winners, distribute prize money, and enjoy a 9-pin-tap fun night. But first, let's dive into the events of this stagnated finale, which, despite no shifts in the standings, delivered plenty of drama due to the fact that every game was close and every single game across all three matchups was decided by the last 1-2 rollers in the 10th frame! Furthermore, once the last pair of lanes darkened, came the realization that 5 of the 6 teams ended the season with winning records. Along the way, JoAnne Barber picked up this week's high game (128) and series (376) for the woman, while Matthew Taylor claimed the men’s high game (248) and series (688). Read on for all the juicy details!

(See also: Bingo results)
ALSO: cast your votes for the end-of-season awards!

On lanes 1 & 2

In a battle of evenly matched foes, Stealing Pins in the Burrows faced off against Bowls Deep. With Most Valuable Bowler Nathan Burrows delivering an impressive above-average 500 series, Stealing Pins managed to split the series with their opponents. Kent Harms countered with a commanding 506 series for DEEEEEEP, ensuring his team stayed neck-and-neck with their rivals. Stealing Pins finish the season in a celebratory 3rd place, thrilled to have held their ground, while DEEEEEEP settle into 4th with a sense of satisfaction but wishing they had thrust just a little more.

On lanes 3 & 4

The most anticipated match of the evening saw Squid Row square off against Scootytang. It was a make-or-break night for Squid Row, and they delivered, thanks to #1 Power Ranked and #1 Head-to-Head bowler Matthew Taylor and his jaw-dropping 688 series. After an initial setback, the Rowers of Squids surged to take 3 wins, finally living up to expectations and solidifying their place as league champions. Meanwhile, Scootytang, despite Aaron Barber's valiant 564 series, could only muster a single win, leaving them to console themselves with a well-earned 2nd place. Their tentacles finally able to relax and droop freely, Squid Row celebrated their long-overdue triumph with equal parts joy and relief — but the whispers about their prolonged stumble won't fade anytime soon.

On lanes 5 & 6

Scooter's Succulent Sausages™ faced Sun Dolphins. AJ Hofmann's hot & juicy 498 series powered the Sausages to 3 hard-fought wins, ensuring a satisfying finish for the team in 5th place. On the flip side, Scott Thompson's solid 470 series wasn’t enough to lift the Dolphins, who ended the night winless and heartbroken, languishing in 6th place. For the Dolphins, it was a devastating end to a season of clogged blowholes and missed opportunities (remember, a month into the season they were in 2nd place while ScootyTang was the team in dead last), leaving them to ponder what might have been.

Though this marked the final night of official play, we’re not quite done yet! Next week kicks off with a pizza buffet and a league meeting led by Squid Row. Awards will be handed out, prize money distributed, and for the first time, not everyone will go home with cash. Once the meeting wraps up, stick around for 9-pin tap bowling—a night of fun and redemption where knocking down 9 pins on the first ball counts as a strike. See you there!

Bowlers using fake IDs to get into The 200 Club despite the fact that the clearly oldest of them would never be mistaken for being a day under 22 include: Aaron Barber (204,223), Matthew Taylor (246,248), and Seth Gunderson (213)

A new personal high game was set tonight by Carl Mueller (181, previous best 172).

Adding to the excitement, the 688 rolled by Matthew Taylor is this season's new high series for men.

After a hard fought season, the Tournament of Champions was won tonight by Nathan Burrows (Division 4), with Scott Murdock (Division 2) landing in second place. Nathan will pocket the nice first-place pot, while Scott will take away the second-place pot. Congratulations!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Nathan Burrows Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Matthew Taylor Runner Up: Nathan Burrows	#1 H2H BOWLER Matthew Taylor Runner Up: Nathan Burrows
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "Alex? Why would I go to Alex's house on Thursday?" Ben, forgetting that his boss's name is Alex and that his company holiday party is at said boss's house -- thinking instead only of the Alex at St. John's who supplies him with beer.

Pos.	Team name	Record	Percent	Total Pins	Change
1	Squid Row	41-23	.641	32,979	n/a
2	Scootytang	35.5-28.5	.555	32,156	n/a
3	Stealing Pins in the Burrows	35-29	.547	23,833	n/a
4	Bowls Deep	33-31	.516	25,163	n/a
5	Scooter's Succulent Sausages™	32.5-31.5	.508	29,003	n/a
6	Sun Dolphins	15-49	.234	24,575	n/a

Men's High Series Scratch	Women's High Series Scratch
Matthew Taylor - 688 Aaron Barber - 564 Seth Gunderson - 542 Kent Harms - 506 Ben Spencer - 505	JoAnne Barber - 376
Men's High Series Handicap	Women's High Series Handicap
Matthew Taylor - 712 Nathan Burrows - 646 Seth Gunderson - 599 Aaron Barber - 595 Scott Thompson - 590	JoAnne Barber - 556
Men's High Game Scratch	Women's High Game Scratch
Matthew Taylor - 248 Aaron Barber - 223 Seth Gunderson - 213 Nathan Burrows - 199 AJ Hofmann - 199 (t) Kent Harms - 189	JoAnne Barber - 128
Men's High Game Handicap	Women's High Game Handicap
Matthew Taylor - 256 Carl Mueller - 249 Nathan Burrows - 247 Aaron Barber - 233 Seth Gunderson - 232	JoAnne Barber - 188
Men's Pins Over Average	Women's Pins Over Average
Carl Mueller - 66 Nathan Burrows - 60 Matthew Taylor - 58 Seth Gunderson - 37 Aaron Barber - 36	JoAnne Barber - 3