March 17 & 18, 2001.
Mike Zuglan's Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour stop #19 was hosted by none other than Mike Zuglan himself this past weekend at his Pro Billiards Lounge in Rotterdam, NY. 39 Players showed to play for the over $4000 purse. As it is in all of the Joss events no matter the size of the field, the competition was fierce and the play was close for two days. With players like Basavich, Saez, Empey, LaFlamme, Corr, Hernandez, McCreesh, Garrahan and more, any one of them could win on any given day. Saturday we saw players like Zuglan get knocked out early, by first Lyn Wechsler 9-7 and then get run over by Karen Corr 9-4. Ryan McCreesh a multi time winner on the tour, sent Frankie Hernandez packing and then got sent home by Teddy Garrahan and Julie Kelly. Playing through the day without a loss was Danny Basavich, Mike Davis, Robb Saez and Ted Garrahan. One the one loss side we had Karen Corr vs Matt Tetreault and TJ LaFlamme vs Gary Empey.

Sunday was a day that just belonged to "Kid Delicious" No one won more than 6 games against him in the two days and that didn't happen until the finals. Danny beat Julie Kelly, TJ LaFlamme, Tim Ketz, Mike Davis and Robb Saez to get to the hot seat. Saez beat Garrahan then lost to Basavich and then young Mike Davis to place 3rd. Karen Corr beat Tetreault and Garrahan to get a very respectable 4th. Young Mike Davis from Maryland playing in only his third Joss event played wonderful 9-ball beating players like Rich Ross, Gary Empey, Matt Tetreault Karen Corr and Robb Saez. Keep and eye on this tall good looking 26 year old, he has a great future in pool. The tournament belonged to Basavich and no one was going to take it away. Breaking like thunder and controlling the cue. Running out from everywhere and not missing many shots at all, Dan was a work in progress. Like a man on a mission, he just flat out outplayed everyone for two days. A great job and a really fine tournament.

Thanks go out to Mike Zuglan, Joanne and all his staff for a fun two days and a great tournament. The tour's next stop is in two weeks at Country Club USA in Chelmsford, Ma for a $5k added event to be followed the next weekend in the same place with a $10,000 added event.

Final Standings:
1.   $1500   Dan Basavich
2.   $970   Mike Davis
3.   $700   Robb Saez
4.   $500   Karen Corr
5/   $300   TJ LaFlamme
6               Ted Garrahan
7/   $175   Matt Tetreault
8               Gary Empey

By: Pat Murray