Despite the heavy storms which have hit the North Eastern U.S this summer, players from all over the U.S traveled to Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ (Home of the Accu-Stats Arena) for the first NCS 14.1 National Championship. Held August 1-2, it was not only the first U.S straight pool national championship in many years but a true celebration of the game. The NCS is dedicated to encouraging more 9' table play in a variety of cue disciplines, including 14.1.
The players were a mix of long time 14.1 veterans such as Bill Dunsmore who started playing straight pool before many of the younger participants were born, to Bob Madenjian, Carswell “Cosmo” Ransom, Danny Barouty and Tom Walter. While the game itself has not been as publicly visible as 8-Ball and 9-Ball in the past 30 years, the participation of young talented players showed a growing interest in the game.
One young gun, Brandon Shuff, the 2009 NCS 8-Ball National Champion, had the high run of the tournament at 116. Although not necessarily known as a 14.1 player, Shuff showed his versatility and knowledge at Comet Billiards. Several other of the younger generation players also fared very well including 3rd place finisher Matt Tetreault .
Accu-Stats streamed approximately 30 hours during the two day event. The live online video feed offered a rare opportunity for those who may not be as exposed to 14.1 a chance to learn more. Hall of Fame recipient and Accu-Stats founder, Pat Fleming, and New Jersey cue maker, John Bender, added insightful commentary due in part to their well regarded experience in the sport.
The tournament was double elimination, races to 150. Thousands of viewers logged into Accu-Stats.com to view the event and were treated to some tremendous matches, such as the hot seat match between NJ resident Steve Lipsky and Seattle pro Dan Louie. Louie's break shot at 18 minutes 48 seconds into the recording “8/2 CSI – NCS Day 2 Lipsky vs. Louie” took the breath away of those to witnessed it. All matches can still be viewed at Accu-Stats.com. Louie won that match 150-67.
Lipsky now faced fellow northeastern player Matt Tetreault. Both players demonstrated their finesse of the game throughout the weekend, but it was an unusual bank shot by Lipsky, not often used in 14.1, that secured him one of the two spots to the World 14.1 Championship.
In addition to the cash prize fund and the prizes generously supplied by NCS sponsors OB Cues and DELTA-13, Louie and Lipsky received paid entry to the 2009 World 14.1 Championship (August 24-29). This event will also be streamed live by Accu-Stats and held at Comet Billiards.
The next event for the National Championship Series (NCS) is the back to back duo of the NCS 9-Ball National Championship and the NCS 10-Ball National Championship, September 3-7 at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Action Report (TAR) will be there to stream all the action. Qualifiers are currently being held around the country in both 9 and 10-Ball. Visit the CSI website at here.
CueSports International (CSI) is the parent company of the BCA Pool Leagues, the USA Pool League, the National Championship Series (NCS) and produces the U.S Bar Table Championship, the Jay Swanson Memorial and coming in 2010 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino the U.S Open 10-Ball Championship. For more information about the CSI or for more details about the NCS please call 702-719-7665 or contact Holy Ryan at holly@playcsipool.com.
