B.J. Hucks stopped a three-match, loss-side winning streak by David Tootle, defeating him in the second and deciding set of a true double elimination final to capture the November 9-10 stop on the Great Southern Billiard Tour. The $800-added event drew 29 entrants to Shore Thing Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Hucks and Tootle were both among the winners' side final four, but not against each other. Hucks defeated Phillip Britt 8-5, as Romey Malonzo sent Tootle west 6-5. Hucks got into the hot seat 8-2 over Malonzo, and waited on the return of Tootle.
Tootle began his loss-side march against Mike Slaughter, who'd defeated Greg Little 8-3 and Justin Martin 8-2, to reach him. Britt met up with Jim Grey, who'd gotten by Don Strickland 6-5 (Strickland racing to 7), and Hope Gillium 6-2. Tootle and Slaughter locked up in a double hill battle, eventually won by Tootle, while Britt was busy eliminating Grey 9-2.
With Britt racing to 9, Tootle took the quarterfinal match 6-6, and then downed Malonzo, double hill in the semifinals. He took the opening set of the true double elimination final 6-2. Hucks came back to win the second set 8-4 to claim the event title.
Described by tour director as a "known force at the beach," Greg Dix picked up his second 2013 win on the Great Southern Billiard Tour at Shore Thing Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC. His previous win came in May at the same location, as did his third place finish in January, and his second place finish in August. The $650-added stop on October 5-6 drew 25 entrants.
The undefeated express almost got de-railed in one of the winners' side semifinals, as Phillip Britt battled Dix to double hill, before giving way. Mickey Hucks, in the meantime, racing to 6, defeated Richie Somner 6-5 (Somner racing to 7). Dix dominated the hot seat match 9-2, in his first of two against Hucks.
Somner moved west to pick up Greg Little, who'd defeated Willie Darrigan, double hill, Chad Lee 6-4. Britt had the misfortune of running into Ray Floyd, who was working his way to the semifinals, and had gotten by Hank Warner 5-4 (Warner racing to 6), and Karl Simmons, double hill. Somner dropped Little into the tie for fifth 7-4, and taking advantage of his handicap Floyd eliminated Britt 5-8.
Floyd completed his loss-side run with a 5-2 victory over Somner in the quarterfinals, and though he'd battle to double hill in the semifinals, Hucks prevailed for a second shot at Dix. Dix completed his undefeated run with a 9-3 victory in the finals.
Shannon and Marge Daulton thanked the ownership and staff at Shore Thing Billiards for their continuing support of the tour, as well as sponsors Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Delta 13 Racks, Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Tiger Products, Ozone Billiards and Lomax Custom Cues. The next stop on the GSBT, scheduled for October 26-27, will be a $1,000-added 9-ball tournament, to be hosted by Chalk It Up Billiards in La Grange, GA.
