Newman wins first event as Double-A player on GSBT stop

Josh Newman, now 18 years old, has been a part of the Great Southern Billiard Tour for four years, and on the weekend of March 26-27, he became the only player on the tour to ever win events in three separate divisions; B, A, and Double-A. He took his first Double-A match, going undefeated on the $1,500-added event that had drawn 74 entrants to Speak Eazy Billiards in Sanford, NC.

Newman had to get by B.J. Ussery twice to complete the task, and did so first among the winners' side final four, sending Ussery west 11-10. Glen Russell, in the meantime, was busy sending Jack Miller over 9-4. Newman got into the hot seat with an 11-7 victory over Russell, and waited for what turned out to be Ussery's return.

Over on the one-loss side, Sidney Champion was working his way back from a defeat at the hands of Newman from among the winners' side final eight. He got by Walter Newsome 9-1 and Mike Walker 9-5 to pick up Miller, and defeated him to get into the quarterfinals. Ussery joined him after defeating Tony Morrison, who'd gotten by Mike Basha 9-1 and Vernon Rogers 9-2. Champion and Ussery locked horns in a double hill battle, before Ussery prevailed to take on Russell in the semifinals.

Ussery won the semifinal battle 11-5 for a second chance against Newman. The new Double-A player took the opening set of the true double elimination final 11-8 to complete his undefeated weekend.

Tour representatives thanked the Speak Eazy staff for their support, as well as sponsors Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Delta-13 racks, Tiger Products, Mike Davis Extermination, and Andy Gilbert Custom Cues.