For the second time in four years a team from Cypress Lanes in Lehighton has captured first place at the PJBT's Annual Bowling Center Championship Tournament.

The five-person squad of Arerielle Searfoss, Erin McGinley, Ciera Steigerwalt, Ally McGinley and Rhianna Delich recently bettered a field of 26 teams to claim top honors in the Handicap Division.The event, which was held at Parkway Lanes in Allentown, helps promote junior bowling throughout the region. This was the fourth year the PJBT conducted the tournament.Each of the girls on the winning team received trophies and a $200 college scholarship. Their victory also earned Cypress $500 for their junior program.The champions shot games of 721, 814, 829, 766 and 773 scratch to advance to the next round. They defeated Oakwood Lanes, N.J. in the semifinals by a 953-890 margin and then handled Town & Country Lanes, 963-806, in the title match.Delich had games of 221 and 234 during the preliminary rounds and finished the tourney with a team-high average of 174.14."We are very proud to say that these girls are in our Junior bowling program here at Cypress Lanes," said Donna Steigerwalt. "They did an exceptional job in this tournament. They bowled over their average and that's what it takes to win these tournaments."They really showed what teamwork is by working together. When some had difficulties, the others made up for it. We are looking forward to defending our title next year."Cypress also won the Handicap Division title three years ago.