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Powerful pair still tops the pack

By DEREK LARLIVIERE
Published August 1, 2006

For the second straight week, Jim Babson and Anthony Oliver led all Hernando County league bowlers.

After a week where the two tied for the high game in the county and placed fourth and second, respectively, on the high series list, Babson and Oliver were at it again this week.

Babson led the county with a 289 high game and 755 high series while competing in the Summer Slam League at Spring Hill Lanes. Oliver's performance was not far behind with a 279 high game and 740 high series, both second overall. Oliver has been on fire this summer while competing in the Mariner Lanes Friday Combo League.

Babson leads the Summer Slam League in high average with only a few weeks left in the summer season. While bowling in the Gator High Rollers League during last year's regular season, Babson averaged a 216. In comparison, he is averaging eight pins higher through the 10th week this summer.

LOCALS CONTRIBUTE AT PBA: The 18th annual PBA Southern Regional at Spring Hill Lanes was the bowling story in Hernando County last week. While a Tampa Bay area man walked away with the title when Wesley Chapel's Tom Daugherty won the overall prize, there were some locals who tallied some impressive marks.

Rich Garner, a resident of Port Richey who bowls regularly at Spring Hill Lanes, was the top local, finishing 19th overall and earning $400 for his effort. Garner placed second at the Spring Hill Lanes Regional Sweeper held the week before to earn his spot in the field. Garner was the only local to make it to the second day of competition.

Other locals that had strong showings included David Lee Jr. (46th), Jason Mahr (54th), Tom Bozquez Jr. (75th), Matthew Slaga (83rd), Tom Bozquez Sr. (84th) and Victor Oliver (120th).

OLIVER HAS COMPANY: Once again, it was twin brother Victor who accompanied Anthony Oliver among the bowling elite.

During the Youth/Adult League at Spring Hill Lanes, Victor tossed a 714 series on the strength of a 278 high game. The game placed him in a tie for third for the week with Jamie Vega, a Summer Slam League competitor. His series score was good enough to place him fourth in the county.

FALL LEAGUES FORMING: Spring Hill and Mariner Lanes are wrapping up their summer leagues in preparation for the 2006-07 regular season that begins this fall.

At Spring Hill Lanes, the top leagues again will be the Monday Night Men's League, the Gator High Rollers League, the Kevin's Pro Shop League, the Joni Classic League and the Friday Primetimers League.

Mariner Lanes' headlining leagues will consist of the HNA Mariner Classic League, the Tuesday Night Men's League, the Tuesday Metro League and the Wednesday Seacreatures League.

[Last modified August 1, 2006, 06:57:02]