Owners Billy Sharp, Mark Avery and Jim Henry and their staff welcomed players to their 11th Annual Big Tyme Classic. Held in Spring, TX, a suburb of Houston, this $14,000 added event featured three divisions – Open 9-Ball, One Pocket and Ladies 9-Ball.
Local sponsors included attorney Joseph J. Long, Brutal Game Gear, Star City Amusements, Diamond Billiard Products, Simonis, Aramith, Savage Billiards, Jim Stinson of AM Inc. and the Fort Worth Billiards Superstore as well as Big Tyme Billiards and PoolActionTV.com.
Kicking off on Wednesday evening was the $5,000 added One Pocket Championship. Sixteen players put up a $300 entry fee to play in this double elimination event. The format was alternate breaks and races to 4/3 with the finals being one extended race to five. After the players auction, meeting and draw, the matches began.
Hot off his victory over Tony Chohan in last week’s Champions Challenge One Pocket match and the reigning Bayou State Classic One Pocket champ, Billy Thorpe blistered Ryan Braselman 4-0. Defending champion Roberto Gomez showed no mercy against Tulsa’s Greg Hogue – also 4-0. Runner-up at this year’s Skinny Bob’s One Pocket Championship, Raed Shabib, edged out Baton Rouge’s Jeff Padilla 4-3. Current Midwest Billiards One Pocket champ, Sky Woodward, survived a 4-3 scare over Wayne Berry – also from Baton Rouge. This year’s Rack One Pocket champ, Tony Chohan, defeated Houston’s Nick Schipon 4-1.
Second round action saw Chohan over Calderon and Woodward over Shabib – both scores 4-0. Bayaua defeated Tokoph 4-1 and Gomez sent Thorpe west with a 4-2 win.
In a hard fought match to get to the hot seat match was Bayaua and Gomez – Ernesto won 4-3. In the lower portion of the chart, Woodward defeated Chohan 4-2.
The hot seat match winner was Woodward over Bayaua 4-2. Ernesto headed west to await an opponent.
On the one loss side and after losing his second match, Calderon defeated Hogue 3-1, Shabib also 3-1 and Gomez 3-2 until he faced Chohan. On the one loss side, Tony had scored revenge against Thorpe 3-0 and eliminated Alex 3-1. Chohan was now in high gear and even though he had played well the entire event, Bayaua was no match for Tony and lost 3-0. Ernesto finished with a well-deserved third place finish.
As mentioned previously, the finals were an extended race to five. Neck and neck all the way and tied at four apiece, Sky missed a tough bank and Tony ran out for the game and title. What a match!
Tony Chohan
The $8,000 added Open 9-Ball division began on Friday evening. Played on Diamond bar boxes, the format for this double elimination tournament was alternate breaks and races to 9/7 with the three foul rule in effect. Using the Magic Rack with the nine on the spot, players broke from the box. Nine on the break didn’t count in the racking corners.
Paying an $80 entry fee, 119 players were auctioned off and play began after a players meeting and draw.
To no one’s surprise, it was Jeffrey de Luna, Sky Woodward, Roberto Gomez and Johnathan Pinegar (“Hennessee”) who marched to the final four on the winners side.
In the upper portion of the bracket, De Luna had wins over Kyle Lowry 9-0, Mike Jones 9-2, Jeff Lovelace 9-1, Shahram Changezl 9-6 and Raed Shabib 9-1.
Woodward defeated Chuck Willie 9-2, Sherman Sylestine 9-1, Pablo Trinidad 9-3, James Davis Jr.9-5 and JC Torres 9-3.
Woodward faced off against de Luna and won 9-7. Sky moved into the hot seat match.
In the lower portion of the bracket, Gomez beat Hiep Hong 9-0, Greg Hogue 9-4, Derek Fontenot 9-6, Billy Sharp 9-0 and Jeff Sullivan 9-5.
Hennessee squeaked past Joyme Vicente 9-8 and then went on to beat Jesse Moore 9-2, Joey Bourgeois 9-3, Soledad Ayala 9-6 and Tony Chohan 9-7.
Playing to get into the hot seat match, Gomez claimed victory over Hennessee 9-6.
The hot seat match was all Woodward as he locked up his seat in the finals over Gomez 9-4.
Over on the one loss side, Hennessee eliminated Alex Calderon 7-1, de Luna 7-6 and then Gomez 7-5 to claim the remaining berth in the finals.
Since this was true double elimination, Hennessee would have to defeat Woodward twice to win the tournament.
Hennessee won the first game and Sky tied it up. He then led most of the match with Hennessee mostly playing catch-up until Sky finally pulled away at five apiece and won three in a row to reach the hill. Woodward closed out the last game, winning 9-5, to take the title!
Eylul Kibaroglu
The $1,000 Ladies 9-Ball division began on Saturday night with a players auction, meeting and draw. Thirty nine players paid a $55 entry to play in this double eliimination event. Also played on Diamond bar boxes and using the Magic Rack, the format was races to 7/7 with alternate breaks. Play began the following morning.
From Turkey and now living in Houston, current Skinny Bob’s Ladies Nine Ball Classic and champ, Eylul Kibaroglu, San Antonio’s Mille Alvaraz, Houston’s Robyn Petrosino and Skinny Bob’s co-owner Kim Sanders rounded out the final four on the winner’s side.
After drawing a first round bye, Petrosino cut her way through the field with wins over Tuyen Nguyen 7-5, Jillian Nickerson 7-1 and Sara Bork 7-5.
Kibaroglu defeated Terri Resendez 7-3, Marle Clark 7-1, Trerenee Simpson 7-2 and Annie Swelgin 7-2 before meeting Robyn and beating her 7-3. Eylul moved into the hot seat match.
In the bottom of the bracket, Almaraz also drew a first round bye and followed that with wins over Eva Grigsby 7-1, Jaiden Barbour 7-2 and the always tough Kelly Isaac 7-4.
After another first round bye, Sanders defeated Cheyenne Valdez 7-3, Camille Campbell 7-1 and edged out Larissa Almendarez 7-6 before losing to Mille Almaraz 7-5. Mille then moved into the hot seat match where she was defeated by Eylul 7-2.
Waiting for Almaraz was Petrosino. Robyn went down 5-1 and Mille was in the finals!
Again, since this was true double elimination, Almarez would have to win two sets to claim the title, however, it was not to be. The finals were closer than the hot seat match but when the smoke cleared, it was Eylul who won the match 7-5 and took down the tournament!
PoolActionTV.com would like to thank Big Tyme’s owners Billy Sharp, Mark Avery and Jim Henry and their staff for doing, as always, a great job taking care of all the players and fans!
We’d also like to thank Tournament Director Teresa Garland for doing a great job running the various events.
And finally, PoolActionTV.com would like to thank our fans and sponsors. Our sponsors included attorney Joseph J. Long, JB Cases, Aramith, Simonis, Lomax Custom Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Hanshew Jump Cues, Savage Billiards, Durbin Custom Cues, Bull Carbon, the Action Palace of Dayton, OH and the Fort Worth Billiards Superstore of Fort Worth, TX.
Our next event is the 7th Annual Scotty Townsend Memorial held at Arena Billiards in West Monroe, LA. The dates are May 3rd-5th! Hope to see you there!
Last week, players made their way to the $8,000 added Space City Open X. Held at Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, TX – a suburb of Houston – owners Billy Sharp, Jim Henry, Mark Avery and Matthew McFarren and their staff laid out the red carpet for both players and fans.
The tournament kicked off on Thursday night with the $1,000 added 9 Ball Banks event. This single elimination race to four event saw a full field of 32 players post their $100 entry fees. After the players auction, meeting & draw, the action began.
After being scarce on the tournament trail since the birth of his daughter two years ago, Robb Saez made up for lost time as he rocketed through the bracket taking down Alan Poisel 4-1, JC Torres 4-0, Mark Nanashee 4-2 and Ernesto Bayaua 4-0. In the bottom portion of the chart, Alex Calderon squeaked by Jeff Sullivan 4-3 and then dusted off Leon Contreras 4-1 and Raed Shabib 4-0 before running into Roberto Gomez. The match was a good one but Alex prevailed 4-2.
That win put Calderon into the finals against the red hot Saez. Alex went down 4-1 – guess baby needed a new pair of shoes! Congratulations, Robb! Good job, Alex!
Starting on Friday night was the main event – the $3,500 added Open 9 Ball. Drawing a full field of 128 players, this double elimination event had a $75 entry fee and was played on seven foot tables. Races were to 9/7 with winner breaks.
Bogies was getting their money’s worth with their house pro and defending champ, Roberto Gomez, as he marched through the field. He was never seriously threatened as he defeated Timothy Lapointe 4-0, Richard Hughes 9-4, John Weeks 9-2, Javier Alienes 9-4, Ernesto Bayaua 9-1 and Blaine Barcus 9-3 to arrive at the hot seat match.
Another man slicing through the field was Oklahoma’s John Gabriel. He started with wins over Pedro Oviolo 9-2 and Calvin Chappell 9-3 before a tough one with young gun Lazaro Martinez. John barely survived that one 9-8 and then coasted past Cesar Arechiga 9-0. Next were Joey Torres and Ryan Robinson – they went down 9-6 and 9-3 and John also arrived at the hot seat match.
The hot seat match was all Roberto as he spanked John 9-3 and locked up his seat in the finals. John headed west to play Bayaua who had eliminated Saez 7-4. Robb finished in fourth place. Then, it was John who beat Ernesto by the same score – 7-4. He finished in third place.
Knowing he had to defeat Roberto twice to take the title, John put up a tough fight but when it was all over, Gomez had gotten his revenge for John knocking him out of the one pocket event and defended his title! He won the match 9-6. Congratulations, Roberto! Good event, John!
Lazaro Martinez III
Sunday was the start for both the $500 added Ladies 9 Ball and the $500 added Junior 9 Ball events. The players auction, meeting and draw for the juniors was first followed by the same for the ladies.
Twenty three boys and girls paid a $35 entry fee to play in the double elimination event played on the seven foot Diamonds. They raced to 7/5 with winner breaks.
Former BEF Junior National champ and defending champion Lazaro Martinez defeated Carlos Jinez 7-5, Mary Grigsby 7-1, Vania Davila 7-0 and Kailye Stevens 7-2 to arrive at the hot seat match.
Kyle Yi was the victor over Oscar Ruiz 7-2, Hunter Jackson 7-0, Tyler Miller 7-0 and Larissa Almendarez 7-5 to claim the other seat in the hot seat match.
Kyle then defeated Lazaro 7-3 to go on to the finals. Lazaro headed to the one loss side to face Carlos Jinez who had beaten Kailye Stevens 5-3. Kailye finished in fourth place.
Looking to get back into the finals, Lazaro made short work of Carlos 5-1 leaving him in third place.
Needing to defeat Kyle twice to both defend and claim the title, Lazaro won the first set 7-4. The final set was a battle but it was Lazaro that took the title 5-3. Congratulations, Lazaro! Good event, Kyle!
Thirty two ladies filled the field posting their $45 entry fees. They also raced to 7/5 with winner breaks on the seven footers.
April Larson made her trek to the hot seat by defeating Vivian Christopher and Bridget Parker by the same score – 7-1. She then beat Crystal Cisneros 7-4, the always tough Ming Ng 7-3 and awaited her opponent in the hot seat match.
The hot seat match began and both players fought hard but in the end, Ricki had edged out April 7-6! April headed west.
Waiting for her was Ming. She had just beaten Robyn – she finished in fourth place. The match began to see who’d be in the final match. April came out on top 5-3 leaving Ming in third place.
Due to the late hour, the ladies decided to split the honors. Congratulations to both players!
The $1,000 added One Pocket event also started on Friday night. Having a full field of 32 who paid $100 to enter, the format was again single elimination with races to four. Following the players auction, meeting & draw, the matches began.
Still on fire from his runner-up finish in the banks event, Alex Calderon tore through the top half of the bracket skunking both Sonny Bosshamer and Raed Shabib but had rougher matches against Ernesto Bayaua and Marvin Diaz. He won both matches 4-2 and landed in the finals.
Quietly making his way through the bottom portion of the bracket was Oklahoma’s John Gabriel. He won his first match over Joey Barnes 4-2 and continued with wins over Ryan Baselman and Ryan Robinson – both 4-1. Down went Superman as John defeated Roberto Gomez 4-2 to get to the finals.
The final match started late and went long into the early morning hours and at the end, it was John taking top honors 4-2. Great tournament, John! Good showing, Alex!
John Gabriel
Congratulations to this year’s champions and to Roberto Gomez for taking down the $1,500 All Around Bonus!
PoolActionTV.com would again like to thank owners Billy Sharp, Jim Henry, Mark Avery and Matthew McFarren and their staff as well the event sponsors. They are Outsville, Diamond Billiard Products, Brutal Game Gear, Poison by Predator, Jerry Olivier Custom Cues, Simonis, Aramith, Predator, Immediate Smiles Dentures & Dentistry of Spring, TX, Alamo Billiards of Houston, TX, and Fort Worth Billliards Superstore of Fort Worth, TX.
We’d also like to thank Tournament Director Teresa Garland and her assistant, Jason Hill, for juggling all the various events.
PoolActionTV.com would also like to thank our fans and sponsors. Our sponsors include JB Cases, Hanshew Jump Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Durbin Custom Cues, Savage Billiard Apparel, Immediate Smiles Dentures & Dentistry of Spring, TX, Action Palace of Dayton, OH and Fort Worth Billiards Superstore of Fort Worth, TX.
Our next event is the 35th Annual Music City Open Nine Ball Championships at JOB Billiard Club in Madison, TN – a suburb of Nashville. Dates are January 11th-15th – hope to see you there!
And, here’s wishing everyone happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous new year!
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) crowned four winners in the 24th Annual BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships. Nearly 130 junior pocket billiard players from 28 states gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Romine’s High Pockets on July 11th -15th. Players took aim to win a title, scholarships, prizes and an entry into the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships. In the 18-and-under boys’ division, Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, KY prevailed, while Briana Miller of Allentown, PA, defended her title in the 18-and-under girls’ division. In the 14-and-under boys’ division, newcomer Zachary Hampton of Rocky Mount, VA was victorious and April Larson of Bloomington, MN captured her first title in the 14-and-under girls’ division.
The top finishers in the 18-and-under boys’ division were native to junior billiard competition. Landon Shuffett, winner of four (4) consecutive Junior National titles from 2007 – 2010, proved that he didn’t forget how to win after taking a year off from competition in 2011. Shuffett steadily proceeded through the winner’s bracket with wins over Kevin Sun 9-5, Ryan Ponton 9-1, Zachary Leonard 9-2, and William Chappell 9-1 before losing to Brendan Crockett 5-9. Crockett, runner-up in the 2011 Junior Nationals and 2009 champion of the 14-and-under boys’ division, effortlessly cruised through the winner’s bracket without a loss. Crockett defeated Tyler Howell 9-0, Daniel McComas 9-3, Joey Torres 9-5, Tyler Styer 9-5 and Landon Shuffett 9-5 to claim the seat as the only undefeated contestant in the 43 player division. On the one-loss side, Chad Behnke diligently proceeded to win an impressive 8 matches after losing his first match to Brady Behrman 6-9. Behnke shot his way through Austen Warner 9-2, JC Torres 9-7, Logan Zuponcic 9-0, Jonathan Ailstock 9-5, Zachary Leonard 9-2, Kevin Sun 9-8 and Tyler Styer 9-4 before a rematch with Brady Behrman, winning 9-3. With only one more match to win for a chance to rumble with the undefeated Crockett, Behnke fell short by only 3 games, losing to Shuffett 6-9 in the semi-finals. Shuffett gladly embraced a rematch with Crockett and an opportunity for another title. In the race to 11 finals, an unforeseen scratch by Crockett when the score was 7-4 caused a shift in the ebb and flow of the match. Shuffett seized the opportunity to tighten the gap and then followed with a break-and-run, narrowing the score 6-7. The alternate break format allowed Crockett to get back to the table. He gracefully took charge, pocketing eight balls, but scratched while getting position for the 9-ball. Staying focused and determined to win, both players edged their way to a 10-10 match, each needing only one more game to win the championship. Shuffett won the final game and his fifth title as Junior National Champion.
The showdown in the 18-and-under girls’ division featured Briana Miller and Taylor Reynolds. Advancing to the 15-18 year old bracket this year, 15 year old Reynolds was determined to prove that age is not a factor in winning. Reynolds steam-rolled her first 3 opponents, Tessa Brown 7-0, Carly Fristoe 7-0 and Cristina Watson 7-0, before being slowed down by Briana Miller. Miller needed only one game to take charge of the winner’s bracket, but the trailing Reynolds confidently won the next 5 games to win the match 7-6 and took reign of the winner’s bracket. Miller made her way by defeating Sarah Bridgman 7-0, Ashley Fisher 7-2 and Juli Poutry 7-2, before losing to Taylor Reynolds 6-7. Miller collected her composure and ambushed her next opponent Ashley Fisher 7-1 and earned an opportunity to defend her title. Miller tamed the fierce Reynolds in the finals, winning the match 9-7 and claiming her sixth title as Junior National Champion in the girls’ division.
In the 14-and-under boys’ division, Zachary Hampton, first time attendee at Junior Nationals, received an initiation by losing his first match to hometown favorite Sergio Rivas 6-7. Hampton’s light-hearted demeanor and determination carried him through the one-loss bracket defeating Joshua Goodknight 7-0, Michael Darling 7-0, Mahkeal Parris 7-6, Cody Carter 7-2, Seth Chilcutt 7-0, Ricky Evans 7-3, Mason Koch 7-5 and Shawn Begay 7-3, before a rematch in the semi-finals with Sergio Rivas. Rivas made his way through the winner’s bracket defeating Brandon Descamps 7-0, Zachary Hampton 7-6, Shane Wolford 7-5, Kaiden Hunkins 7-0 and Shawn Begay 7-1, before being defeated by Manny Perez 5-7. Perez advanced through the winner’s bracket with victories over Peter Steele 7-5, Ricky Evans 7-3, Mikey Evans 7-1, Mason Koch 7-2 and Sergio Rivas 7-5 to guarantee himself a seat into the finals. In the semi-finals, Rivas and Hampton eagerly battled for a chance to play in the finals. This time, Hampton prevailed 7-5. Hampton’s momentum continued in the finals as he persevered in the 54 player field, ousting Perez 9-6 and winning the championship title in the 14-and-under boys’ division.
In the 14-and-under girls’ division, it was former runner-up April Larson who gleamed as she breezed through the winner’s bracket defeating Morgan Chesla 7-2, Tori Kover 7-1, Katelin Ballou 7-1, Isabelle Plumb 7-2 and Kyra Avalos 7-4 to secure her seat in the finals. Avalos trekked through the event with wins over Jessica Pitsinger 7-0, Katilyn Hall 7-0, Alex Booth 7-4, and Karsyn Terry 7-4 before losing to April Larson 4-7. In the semi-final match, Terry dashed to the finals with a 7-1 win over Avalos. The confident and poised Larson kept Terry at bay, winning the match 9-2 and earning her first Junior National title.
The champions of the four divisions received trophies, prizes and scholarship funds. Each champion, as well as the second and third place finishers in the 18-and-under boys’ division earned an opportunity to represent the United States in the 2012 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships. Prizes were also given to all top eight finishers in each division.
During the BEF annual banquet, 300 attending players, family members and fans were honored and thrilled to have Allison “Duchess of Doom” Fisher share words of inspiration and enjoyed an evening of instruction and challenge matches. Fisher is currently ranked #1 on the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) tour, fifteen (15) times World Champion and recipient of over 75 major titles. Other special guests in attendance throughout the week were BCA Master Instructor, Jerry Briesath, who worked tirelessly with juniors who were interested in perfecting their game and Mark Wilson, professional player, instructor and Lindenwood University Billiard Coach.
Much appreciation goes out to all who diligently worked to help produce a first class event, including: tournament director Earl Munson for keeping the event running smoothly and for his volunteer work throughout the year; Rick Doner, National Head Referee; Justin Ballou, national referee; Jamie Strait, national referee; Tammy Leonard, tournament director assistant; Mel Leonard, mini-tournament coordinator and assistant; Terry Romine, Nikki Romine and all their staff; Roy Pastor, BEF Board of Director; Laura Smith, BEF Executive Director; and volunteers: Susanne Brandom, Brinda Avalos, Trena Wolford, Meghan Howell, Wayne Kelly, Mark Brendemihl and Randy Fisher.
A special “thank you” to all of the event sponsors who made the 2012 Junior National 9-Ball Championships possible: Simonis Cloth, Billiard Congress of America (BCA), Romine’s High Pockets and the BEF. Also, much gratitude goes to Viking Cue, sponsor of the Academic All-American awards. A hearty “thank you” goes out to all the product donors who contributed to the junior prizes. A list of donors can be viewed on the BEF website at www.BilliardEducation.org.
2012 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championship results:
18 & Under Boys’ Division
1st Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, KY
2nd Brendan Crockett of Bell Canyon, CA
3rd Chad Behnke of Farley, IA
4th Brady Behrman of Albers, IL
18 & Under Girls’ Division
1st Briana Miller of Allentown, PA
2nd Taylor Reynolds of Winslow, ME
3rd Ashley Fisher of Ocala, FL
4th Carly Fristoe of Bend, OR
14 & Under Boys’ Division
1st Zachary Hampton of Rocky Mount, VA
2nd Manny Perez of Kansas City, KS
3rd Sergio Rivas of Milwaukee, WI
4th Shawn Begay of Gallup, NM
14 & Under Girls’ Division
1st April Larson of Bloomington, MN
2nd Karsyn Terry of Chicago, IL
3rd Kyra Avalos of Anthem, AZ
4th Keila Perez of Waltham, MA
About Billiard Education Foundation
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to promoting education and encourages the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF funds academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships, supports billiard athletes to attend the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships and promotes “Pool In School” programs. For more information, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or contact info@BilliardEducation.org
On Tuesday, May 15th from 7-9 pm, the annual CueSports International Challenge the Pros Fundraiser and Raffle in support of junior players took place as part of the 11 day BCAPL National Championships. This year, CSI raised $3,810 during the challenge event and raffle. The raffle was for a donated Ginacue valued at $3,000. All proceeds will be used to help fund junior players to the US Junior National Championships in 2013.
For the second straight year, WPBA Professional and former Junior National Champion, Sarah Rousey, organized this fun event on behalf of CSI. She was assisted Tuesday evening by well regarded coach, Randy Goettlicher, from Master’s Pool School. Amateur players paid $10-$40 to challenge a professional player a race to two. In addition, to the chance to beat pro, amateur participants received a certificate and a photo with the pro they played.
In 2013, CSI will be moving the BCAPL National Championships and all accompanying events, including the CSI Challenge the Pros, to the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino and will be held July 17-27th.
For more information about the BCAPL visit www.playbca.com.
CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. In the past seven years CSI has directly paid out approximately Seven Million Dollars to players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the US Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the US Open One Pocket Championship and the US Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.
CSI leads the billiard industry in the development of technology. For more information on the state-of-the-art software systems for league and tournament management visit www.leaguesys.net and www.ctsondemand.com.
