Bowling: Taylor wins second NBA title

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bob Weiner

Bowling on a modified “Cheetah” oil pattern, competitors in the Northern Bowlers Association’s Spare Time Latham Classic had to be both precise and durable.

Rotterdam’s Craig Taylor was up to the task with each challenge.

The 36-year-old cranker finished second in qualifying, and then outlasted the other five players in match play to win his second career NBA title Sunday.

The NBA used a special format for this stop, with four games of qualifying instead of the usual five-game sweeper.

Ten players cashed, but the top six advanced to several rounds of two-game matches. The top two qualifiers earned byes.

Taylor defeated Steve Wagoner of Broadalbin, 415-408, in the semifinals and then crushed Catskill’s John Riozzi in the finals, 428-342, to earn $620 for first place. Riozzi earned $350.

Conditions were extremely challenging, as only seven bowlers averaged 201 or better.

“There was a lot of bowling today, but I feel good. My legs are in good shape,” said Taylor. “You had to be very precise on this shot today. There wasn’t much room for error. If you missed by just a little bit, the ball would either skid past the head pin or hook to the other side. I used four different balls, including three that I kept switching back and forth with.”

Taylor, who throws a big hook, is comfortable playing a deep inside angle, and that’s where he played most of the day on Sunday.

“I was throwing 20 to 25 [boards] at the arrows,” he said. “I moved a little right later on, from about 16 to 12. I threw it a little softer than I usually do most of the day, but in the finals, I threw it harder to make it easier to keep the ball in the pocket.”

Tim Banta was the qualifying leader with an 863, followed by Taylor’s 844 and Wagoner’s 821. Troy’s Jim Patricelli (819), Riozzi (810), Schenectady’s Tony Palumbo (806), Albany’s Lee Aiezza (805), Duanesburg’s Mike Drexel (786), Schenectady’s Sonny Dorstek (779) and Kingston’s John Ferraro (775) rounded out the top 10.

RESULTS

Qualifying leaders — Tim Banta 863, Craig Taylor 844, Steve Wagoner 821, Jim Patricelli 819, John Riozzi 810, Tony Palumbo 806, Lee Aiezza 805, $100 each; Mike Drexel 786, $80; Sonny Dorstek 779, $70; John Ferraro 775, $60.

Other scores — Kyle Haines 771, Matt Fazzone 765, Gene Speenburgh 765, Mike Miseno 762, Al Roth 761, Karl Wolf 761,

Travis Winglosky 757, Nunzi Manuli 754, Jim Geiger 753, Will Coons 748, Matt Sherman 747, William Brouillette 739, Dan Furman 737, Jim Mueller 737, Jon VanDyke 736, Bob Smith 718, Ryan Sickler 714, Tim Hunt 712, Joe Mazuryk 711, Matt Barkman 703, Bill Pulver 696, Ed Gumm 684, Rick Bogholtz 674, Craig Clemons 671, Ed Czyzewski 669, Luke Ciccarelli 662, Ron Gardner 662, Rich Strath 656, Bob Faragon 647, Travis Heaphy 635, Dan Ahl 630, Chris Charron 630, Tony Cacckello 628, Al Anderson Jr. 625, Josh Risley 616, Josh Trippoda 611, Randy Overbaugh 550, Dan DeRizzo 540.

Match Play

Quarterfinals — Wagoner def. Palumbo, 398, 332. Wagoner earns $150; Riozzi def. Patricelli, 443-393. Patricelli earns $150.

Semifinals — Taylor def. Wagoner,

415-408. Wagoner earns $200; Riozzi def. Banta, 394-355; Banta earns $200.

Finals — Taylor def. Riozzi, 428-342; Taylor earns $620; Riozzi earns $350.