By BILL SNIER
ALLIANCE — In making his charge toward a third straight Alliance Skills Challenge title, Kevin Schott admitted he was confused.
“It was way tougher than last year,” the 25-year-old Alliance right-hander said. “Last year, I think the patterns played truer to what they were. It was difficult this year to find out which pattern was which.”
In a four-lane wood center with full-length, over-the-top ball returns, Schott was able to conquer four separate oil patterns to finish with 795 — the highest total in the event’s three-year history — to hold the lead after Day 1 of the Alliance Skills Challenge.
Tournament director Alan Leasure employed four oil patterns — house, 25-foot short, 50-foot long and a reverse block — over Al Leasure Lanes’ four lanes inside American Legion 166. Each bowler bowled one full game on each pattern, moving after each of four qualifying games.
The toughest pattern by far was the reverse block, with Canton right-hander Ryan Suter posting the high game of the night in the opening squad’s 11-player field with 184 in his Game 2 — the same game that saw Schott finish with 163.
None of the competitors knew which pattern was on which lane at the start of the event.
“I think it made a difference,” Schott said when asked if helped to start on Lanes 1 (25-foot short) and 2 (reverse block). “It helped to get them out of the way. Lanes 3 (50-foot long) and 4 (house) were the easier ones today, but they were definitely different.
Standing behind Schott were Alliance 43-year-old right-hander Lewis Stansbury with 766. Others in the top five were Suter (680), Jeremy Thompson (635) and Brandon Cordi (617).
The second squad is set for 1 p.m. today, with openings still available. Re-entry from Saturday is permitted, with a $60 entry fee.
Stansbury, who returned to bowling just over a year ago after missing seven years following serious injuries suffered in a 13-foot fall from a helicopter while is the armed services, saw many of the same characteristics as Schott on the lanes.
“Lanes 1 and 4 played almost the same. Lane 2, I was just going hard and straight. I knew that was going to be the tough one going in and that was my game plan. Lane 3 was the long (oil) one, but there was a little bit of hook there.”
“I started on Lane 3 and it obviously felt tight. I thought if I could close the angles down and play 15 to 17 (boards) I couldn’t go wrong,” Stansbury said. “Lane 4 was much better and it had a wrinkle to it. It didn’t feel like a house shot … at first I thought it was the shorter pattern.
“Lane 1 played so similar that I was able to work with that shot. But I knew I hadn’t seen the (reverse) block yet. I was prepared for that, but I just could’t spare.”
Schott had 202 on Lane 1 (25-foot short) and finished with 235 on Lane 4 (house shot). Stansbury had 234 on Lane 4 and 209 on Lane 1. But he struggled to 134 on Lane 2.
“I went with the Track Sensor Solid to start, but I went back to the Tundra Fire because I was scared I couldn’t control the Sensor the way I felt I needed to,” said Stansbury, who also bowled the event last year. “I was focused on not making too many mistakes rather than executing shots.
“I missed a 5-9 spare right off my hand and that deflated me. I needed a little more guts to go for it. When I needed the ball to go flat for spares, it grabbed the lane and wouldn’t get across. Maybe I needed a plastic in the bag.”
Schott used the Track Paragon Pearl on Lanes 1, 3 and 4, but he used the Track Archetype on Lane 2.
Stansbury said you couldn’t afford to get “bogged down with the patterns.”
“You have to be versatile enough to change. You might know the pattern, but it doesn’t always play the same,” said Stansbury, who was unable to re-enter due to work commitments. “You have to be knowledgeable enough to make changes. After bombing Lane 2, I’m happy to be where I am behind Kevin. It shows what I can do.
“I felt the Tundra Fire was the better choice. Straight just felt better. I still have a lot to learn and a lot of work to do.”
Schott also will let his score stand.
“I hope that score holds up. Last year was almost the same,” Schott said. “No one has shot 800 yet, so I hope it holds up.”
NOTEBOOK: Leasure said there are 16 entries for today’s 1 p.m. shift, with 20 spots available. … The same four oil patterns will be used, but they won’t necessarily be on the same lanes, Leasure said. … The top three finishers overall will cash, with the prize list to be determined. The winner also receives a free entry into next year’s event. … There will be a $60 bonus for the high game on the reverse block oil pattern, currently held by Suter. … Tourney proceeds go toward the upkeep of the four-lane center. Leasure hopes to install air conditioning for next season. … Schott won last year’s event with 762, finishing 70 pins ahead of Jordan Norris. … There were no two-handers or left-handers in Saturday’s field. … Low games both came off of Lane 2 with 84 and 95, both in Game 3 overall.
ALLIANCE SKILLS CHALLENGE
(Saturday, at Al Leasure Lanes, American Legion Post 166, Alliance)
Current standings
(After four qualifying games)
1, Kevin Schott 795; 2, Lewis Stansbury 766; 3, Ryan Suter 680; 4, Jeremy Thompson 635; Brandon Cordi 617; Matt Frock 613; Michael Emerick Sr. 580; Dustin James 568; Randy McCoy 541; Randee Fath 499, Michael Emerick Jr. 481