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2022 Derby City Classic Banks Ring Game Featuring DeLawder, Shaw, Thorpe, Woodward, Hall, and Al-Shaheen
Meglino comes from loss side, downs Delawder in Sunshine State Predator Pro Am Tour finals
Anthony Meglino, Kyle Bova and Mike Delawder
If you’re a pool player in Florida and happen to notice as you sign in to compete at a tournament that the entrant list includes Anthony Meglino, Mike Delawder, Kyle Bova and Ray Linares, you pretty much know before you’ve finished writing your name that you’re more than likely to have to face one of them, if not all of them, before the weekend is done. Initially, it’s as true for them, of course, as it is for everybody else, up to and including a fifth name, Tommy Kennedy. And after any sort of a trip on the loss side, seeing those four names in the winners’ side final four matches and knowing that two of them are about to be on their way to your side of the ‘street’ has to put something of a furrow in your competitive brow.
They finished this past weekend’s (Oct. 9-10) stop #9 on the Sunshine State Predator Pro Am Tour in the order listed above. The $1,000-added event drew 60 entrants to Brewlands North in Lakeland, FL.
Meglino got himself to the winners’ side final four with an aggregate game score of 28-9, sending Jeff Brown (2), Jay Winters (2), Alec Saputo (4) and Francisco Serrano (1) to the loss side to pick up Delawder. Delawder was the only one who had to face Tommy Kennedy, which he did after downing Ted Westlake (2) and Trenton White (5). He sent Kennedy west 7-3, survived a double hill, winners’ side quarterfinal against Todd Moir and with a 28-16 aggregate score, drew Meglino.
Bova got a forfeit-pass in his opening round and then downed Robert Batson (3) before getting into a double hill fight versus co-tour director Bobby Garza. Bova advanced to defeat Jimmy Antonietta 7-3, completing an aggregate trip to the winners’ side final four at 21-12 to pick up Linares. Linares got by Carlos Gomes (2), James Sandaler (double hill), Wesley Davis (1) and Lee Heuwagen (4) to finish his aggregate scoring at 28-13. face draw Bova.
So, in order, the four of them came to their winners’ side final four matches with game-winning averages that put Meglino first, Linares second and Delawder/Bova in a dead heat for third and fourth.
That order and those game-winning averages changed as Delawder advanced to the hot seat match 7-2 over Meglino and Bova sent Linares over 7-4 to join him. The battle for the hot seat went, as might have been predicted, to double hill before Delawder claimed it.
On the loss side, Meglino picked up Lee Heuwagen, who’d recently defeated Brett Agler, double hill, and Alec Saputo 7-2 to reach him. Linares drew Wesley Davis, who was on a five-match, loss-side winning streak that had just eliminated Todd Moir 7-3 and Julio Estevez, double hill. Meglino moved on to the quarterfinals with a 7-3 victory over Heuwagen. Linares joined him after stopping Davis’ loss-side streak 7-1.
So the Floridian Final Four was set, with only three question marks left to determine the order of finish. The first was answered when Meglino downed Linares 7-3 in the quarterfinals. The second came in the semifinals when Meglino and Bova came within a game of double hill to eventually advance Meglino to a rematch against Delawder in the finals. Meglino completed his three-match, loss-side winning streak with a 9-5 victory over Delawder in those finals to claim the event title.
Tour directors Janene Phillips and Bobby Garza thanked Brewlands’ owner, Larry Wathal and his staff for their hospitality, as well as title sponsor Predator Cues, Kamui, Stitch-It-To-Me Embroidery, Central Florida USA Pool League, Skills for Rent & AZ Billiards. They added a ‘shout out’ to Benjie Estor and Niki Cuellar for their assistance in running the event, as well as Jimmy Antonietta and Mike Delawder for their commentating contributions to the live stream.
The next stop on the Sunshine State Predator Pro Am Tour, scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 13-14, will be the $2,500-added Amateur 9-Ball Bar Box Championships, to be hosted by Racks in Sanford, FL.
Toye wins nine on the loss side, downs Link in finals on Sunshine State Predator Pro Am Tour
Jesse Link, Justin Toye and Mike DeLawder
The finalists on the Sunshine State Predator Pro Am Tour’s 8th stop last weekend (August 21-22) were both looking for their first major victory. Jesse Link went undefeated to the hot seat at this $500-added event that drew 37 entrants to Q Ball Billiards in Jacksonville, FL, while Justin Toye spent most of his time (9 out of 10 matches) on the loss side of the bracket. They both had to get by veteran competitor, Mike Delawder in the final three matches of the tournament for the chance to face each other in the finals. Both did so. Toye won the extended single race-to-9 final to claim the event title.
After an opening round bye, Toye got locked up in a double hill battle versus Logan Lane that sent him on his loss-side journey, while Link and Delawder embarked on their shorter trips to the hot seat match. Link downed Landon Fox, Eric Neeld, Bill Norrish and Tommy Pauley to arrive at his winners’ side semifinal against David Grossman. Delawder, awarded a bye, then defeated Michele Neeld, John Souders and Christian Daniels to reach the man that had sent Toye to the loss side (Logan Lane).
Link moved into the hot seat match 7-5 over Grossman and was joined by Delawder, who’d sent Lane to the loss side 7-2. Link claimed the hot seat 6-4 over Delawder and waited on Toye.
Meanwhile, on the loss side, Toye was mowin’ ‘em down. He gave up a total of only four racks in his first four games versus Landon Fox (0), Cris Baumgart (1), Brett Agler (2) and Jack Smith (1) before running into Christian Daniels, who gave him a loss-side, double hill run for his money; unsuccessfully as it turned out. Toye advanced to defeat Randall McLuckie 5-2 and picked up Grossman, over from his winners’ side semifinal loss. Lane drew Kristian Dimitrov, who was working on a five-match, loss-side winning streak that was about to end and had just eliminated Tommy Pauley 5-2 and Matt Deweese 5-1.
Toye did his part to assure his rematch against Logan Lane with a 5-2 victory over Grossman. Lane cooperated by surviving a double hill battle against Dimitrov. Toye ‘thanked’ Lane for the extra three matches added to the number of matches he needed to claim the event title, by allowing him only a single rack in their quarterfinal rematch.
Toye moved on to meet and defeat Delawder 5-2 in the semifinals for a shot against Link, waiting for him in the hot seat. He took full advantage of the opportunity he was given and downed Link 9-5 to claim his first event title.
Tour directors Janene Phillips and Bobby Garza thanked the ownership and staff at Q Ball Billiards for their hospitality, as well as title sponsor Predator Cues, Kamui, Diamond Stitch It To Me Embroidery, Central Florida USA Pool League, Skills for Rent & AZ Billiards. Stop #9 on the Sunshine State Predator Pro Am Tour, scheduled for the weekend of October 9-10, will be a $1,000-added Open 9-Ball event, hosted by Brewlands in Lakeland, FL.
Louie Demarco Wins US Open Bank Pool Event
Louie Demarco, Dennis Orcollo and Justin Hall
It’s been an action packed week at Griff’s pool hall in Las Vegas. The $10,000 added US Open One Pocket Championship wrapped with 41 players June 4th-6th where Justin Hall from Florida earned the title. The 2021 $5,000 US Open Bank Pool Championship June 8th and 9th took place at Griff’s Pool Hall in Las Vegas. Mark Griffin, Gary Lutman, Griff’s Staff & Tournament Director Jack Murray rolled out the red carpet for the players and fans. The game of Banks combines shotmaking and skill with strategy and creativity.
Bank pool is a popular game in some parts of the country and 27 creative bank pool players from far and wide came out to take a shot at the title. While the event featured big names in the game it was a veteran grinder from Kentucky who dug deep and had the event of his life. Races were to 5 on the winners side, 4 on the One loss side and 6 in finals.
Big names in the game included Tony Chohan, Justin Hall, Warren Kiamco, James Aranas, John Morra and local fan favorite Ronnie Wiseman. While there were many big names that came out to play, up and coming players such as Evan Lunda, Sergio Rivas and Mike Delawder had stand out performances
This discipline is a unique art form which sometimes looks like it’s challenging physics with how some of these masters at the table can seemingly bend angles.
Mike Delawder has a passion for banks and has been working on his game for years and proved he has what it takes to play with the best in the game. With several stand out wins and playing on the TV table 4 times. Michael defeated Brandon Heldenbrand 5-1, Neal Jacobs 5-1, John Demet 5-3, John Morra, 5-4, before losing 5-2 to Louis DeMarco and 4-0 to Dennis Orcullo.
Ultimately the story would be about the Dark Horse from Kentucky, Louis Demarcco. Louis came into this event having a dream of winning the event. While Louis’s favorite game is banks and it’s clear that he has a stand out natural talent, it would take world class play to be able to go through this field. One by one, Louis stacked up gritty wins that showcased huge heart, skill and knowledge of the game.
Louis’s road to the finals was not an easy one. He defeated Tony Chohan, Bobby Emmons, Dennis Orcullo, Michael Delawder and Dennis again in the finals to win undefeated. The finals was a very exciting match with it going hill-hill and Dennis being ups 4 balls to 0. Louis made a fiery unlikely comeback to win 5-4 in front of a passionate and engaged crowd.
Huge Congratulations goes out to Louis on becoming the 2021 US Open Bank Pool Champion and winning $5,600 1st prize, as well as Dennis Orcullo for finishing 2nd place in both the US Open One Pocket as well as the US Open Bank Pool championship.
The equipment at Griff’s is world class featuring all Diamond tables, Simonis cloth and Amamith balls.
Online Brackets were provided by Digital Pool and can seen here: https://digitalpool.com/
Special thanks to all sponsors and supporters of the event including Simonis, Aramith, & OB Cues.
Special Thanks to Ben Sutherland and BBTV for producing a quality live stream with commentary for the fans.
The US Open 10 Ball starts on Sept 12, through the 15th. The 8-Ball will immediately follow the 8-ball.
The US Open Banks Championship immediately follows the One pocket and starts June 8th and 9th. It’s free for spectators to watch and fans can find the Live Stream and follow the event by visiting Griff’s Facebook page for the info.
DeLuna goes undefeated to capture Stop #2 on the Predator Sunshine State Pro Am Tour
Michael DeLawder, Tommy Kennedy, Jeffrey De Luna and Anthony Meglino
Pool players are returning to the tables like a soft drink that’s just been released from a hard-shaken can. In the past month or so, we’ve seen record numbers sign on to tournaments in Texas, North Carolina and last weekend (Feb. 27-28), in Florida, where a capped field of 64 entrants for the $1,500-added second stop on the Predator Sunshine State Pro Am Tour at Brewlands in North Lakeland, FL turned into an 82-entrant field that featured a lot of the tour’s best players and on loan from the Philippines, Jeffrey DeLuna. Note to the Northeast: You might want to prepare for some serious numbers when the Tri-State New York City area opens up.
DeLuna went undefeated through the field, leaving Anthony Meglino (2nd), Mike DeLawder (3rd) and Tommy Kennedy (4th) in his immediate wake. Not to mention Jason Richko, Kyle Bova, Bobby Garza, Dale Stanley and long-timer CJ Wiley, to name just a few of the 82.
As it turned out, DeLuna faced four out of the five of that second-tier set of names on his way to the hot seat. After being awarded one of the ‘byes,’ DeLuna opened up with two straight shutouts, against Richko and then, Ladon Wiley. Stanley was next and DeLuna sent him to the loss side 7-4. A subsequent 7-2 win over Gary Pugh, Jr. put DeLuna into a winners’ side semifinal match against Mike DeLawder.
Anthony Meglino, in the meantime, worked his way through Leon Micco, Wayne Catledge, Sam Khadre and Jimmy Antonietta before coming up against the fourth person on the above second-tier list; CJ Wiley. Meglino downed Wiley 7-5 to draw Tommy Kennedy in the other winners’ side semifinal, which wrapped up seven of the overall list of eight notable names.
Kennedy and DeLawder were both sent to the loss side 7-4. DeLuna then sent Meglino to the semifinals 7-3 and claimed the hot seat.
On the loss side, Kennedy picked up Jerry Arveleaz, who, after losing his second match, double hill, to Serrafin Serrano, was working on a six-match, loss-side winning streak that was about to come to an end. He’d recently eliminated Pugh, Jr., double hill, and Mike Williams 5-1. DeLawder drew NY’s John Francisco, who’d followed up a winners’ side quarterfinal loss to TK, with victories over Anthony Cruz 5-2 and the event’s top-finishing junior, Julio Estevez 6-4.
Francisco was denied an opportunity for a rematch against TK when DeLawder defeated Francisco 5-1. Kennedy joined DeLawder in the quarterfinals after eliminating Arveleaz 5-3.
DeLawder ended Kennedy’s brief loss-side trip 5-3 in those quarterfinals and then, in a double hill, semifinal battle, fell to Meglino, who earned himself a second shot at DeLuna, waiting for him in the hot seat.
The wait apparently had no effect on DeLuna. He backed up his 7-3 hot seat win over Meglino with a 9-2 single-match win in the finals.
Tour directors Janene Phillips and Bobby Garza thanked Larry Walthal and the staff at Brewlands for hosting this event, for $1,000 of the added money and for their continuing support. They also gave a shout out to all of their friends who came out to support the tour and help them out; Rob McLaren, Adam Hanas, Nikki Cuellar, Jimmy Antonietta, Cami Becker and Leah Nusbaum (with apologies, noted Phillips, to anyone she left out). Thanks were also extended to the tour’s title sponsor Predator Group (which added $500 for a raffle), Kamui, Diamond Products, AZ Billiards, Central Florida USA Pool League & Stitch it to me Embroidery.
The next stop (#3) on the Predator Sunshine State Pro Am Tour, scheduled for the weekend of March 27-28, will be a $750-added event, hosted by Boulevard Billiards in Ocala, FL
Thorpe Downs Hall for Derby One Pocket Title
Billy Thorpe (Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson – Mediumpool.com)
Diamond Derby City Classic XXII, January 24-Feb.2, 2020
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
David Thomson
DIAMOND ONE POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
Race to 3, 365 entries, 1 man standing.
Billy Thorpe and Justin Hall put on a competitive one-pocket display that will be praised for decades. It can truly be said that it was unfortunate that there was only one winner. They both played their hearts out.
There were no signs of the weakness that being in a final can sometimes induce. No unnecessary tension created by considering the outcome. These free-stroking athletes were celebrating their mastery in the moment!
The two gallant young guns, aggressive from the get-go, could not be contained. In the opening racks, they both ran 8.
Yet, it was the intrepid Billy “Torpedo” Thorpe, now a 2 time DCC One Pocket Champion, who prevailed.
And, like a torpedo, he attacked from the depths to undermine the one-pocket skillset that Justin employed to tie the match at 2.
Hall also had the benefit of the break. The break is huge in one pocket. It’s like the power of the opening move in chess, You have to defend. Billy became the underdog.
Hall spread the balls well as they rippled toward his pocket.
Billy leapt to the table. It appeared that one may have leaked out.
This was no time for doubt. His Cuetec carbon fiber shaft powered the Cyclop across the ice blue Simonis. The audience gasped at his spunk.
Justin was first to observe as the ball sped, unobstructed, into the back of the tight, Diamond pro-cut pocket.
What Billy proceeded to achieve is a rack for the ages.
Justin’s strategy couldn’t be faulted. One millimeter of a roll and he was rendered powerless as he experienced Billy’s superlative ability in action, Only moments ago, Justin was in the vanquishing seat. Now, he saw his hopes vanish, one ball at a time.
8 and out. 3-2. Billy’s dream accomplished; Justin’s nightmare corroborated.
Justin’s road to the finals included an encounter with Joshua Filler in the Accu-Stats TV Arena. Joshua’s Straight Pool pattern play, bank power, and shotmaking were in fine form. And, his “moving” improving. This match would be the test.
Justin “Hollywood” Hall, 2012 Southern Classic Bank Pool and One-Pocket Champion, unblemished, still had his buy-back. The reason being he had obliterated everyone in his path.
He can, obviously, bank, he’s aggressive and will attack with calculated risk, as long as there is an exit plan. It’s “moving” where he excels.
That’s what got him to 2.1, and ahead 7 balls to 6 in the 3rd.
The moment that swung the match was when Filler’s fine execution of a formidable bank incurred a truly freaky scratch. Instead of 2-2, Hall had ball-in-hand anywhere behind the headstring. And, a spot shot! He hasn’t missed one of those since the Clinton era. 3-1.
Filler should be commended for garnering such a high finish in this field of landmines. With some expert guidance, like Melling and Shaw, he could be a one-pocket contender.
Meanwhile, out in the Diamond Arena, The rumors that the, aforementioned, Melling’s prowess is improving were rumbling thru the hallways. Just ask the baffled 2013 Southern Classic One-Pocket Champion Justin Bergman who had just shaved a few whiskers from Al Shaheen. And, Gomez, who outblasted Jayson Shaw’s ambitions.
Hall had also routed the personable Robert Frost who had waxed poetic to the final 6.
And, what about this 21-year-old, Jesus Atencio who had swum so far upstream in his first ever DCC 1-Pocket event? It had taken Billy to tame the fearless Latino invader.
Then, there were 4.
Melling and Gomez found each other again on the Accu-Stats TV table while Thorpe and the unbeaten Hall were designated in the Diamond Arena.
Both Melling and Gomez had rallied on their excellent safety, banking, and shotmaking skills. But, now that they were alone, Without the guidance of a “mover,” you could see they were fish out of water. They were first to admit, in some instances, they had no idea what to do.
It was Melling who committed the ultimate one-pocket cardinal sin. With ball-in-hand, he pocketed a ball in his opponent’s pocket while playing shape on another which left a perfect bank for Gomez. Those 2 balls, cost him that game and any further advancement.
You can be sure that they will enter, again, next year. Success is addicting.
And then there were 3, Billy, Justin, and Roberto.
Billy’s 3-1 defeat of Justin demanded that he buy back.
Billy drew the bye. Justin derailed Roberto’s route at 3-0…in 37 minutes. They were playing real one-pocket now.
And, that’s how Thorpe and Hall rode to the hottest seat in Caesars Southern Indiana.
The All Around Champion points are adding up with Billy’s One-Pocket and Orcollo’s Banks results bounding up the leaderboard.
DIAMOND 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Efren got handed his first loss in the 2nd round by John Demet who also had a decent finish in the Banks event. Efren laughed, “He played good. I no lucky.”
Jeffrey DeLuna moved Maksim Dudanets to the one loss side, ditto with Tyler Styer and Michael Delawder.
The ladies are competing in the cosmopolitan field including: Kristina Tkach, Pia Filler, and, our very own, Jennifer Barretta.
We’ll have plenty more tomorrow.
9-Ball commences at noon. Check out the schedule at Accu-Stats.com
FRIDAY NIGHT BANKS RING GAME
Derby’s most casual cutthroat assembly clash in the murderer’s row of bankers in the, no safeties allowed, winner-take-all bloodfest.
Not to be missed!
Featuring Skyler Woodward, Billy Thorpe, Jayson Shaw, Jonathan Demet, Justin Hall, Omar Al Shaheen.
Don’t miss a stroke at accu-stats.com
Accu-Stats thanks its Arena Sponsors: Diamond Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Cyclop Balls, Cuetec Cues, Cue and Case, MEZZ Cues, McDermott Cues, National Billiard Academy.
Orcollo Wins Banks Division at Derby Day Five
Dennis Orcollo
Derby City Classic Bank Pool Championship: Semis' and Finals
Horseshoe Southern Indiana
Elizabeth, Indiana.
Sponsored by Diamond SMART TABLE, True Blue Simonis 860 Cloth, and Cyclop Pool Balls.
Dennis Orcollo hadn't visited the Banks Division buy-back booth but, he was about to.
With 3 players left from 361, Francisco Bustamante and Dennis Orcollo prepared for battle. Earl Strickland won the toss and got the Bye.
Dennis and Francisco resigned themselves to the fact that, as fellow Filipinos, they were going into the foray, yet, again.
They also know that there is more at stake here than just the $10,000 for the Banks title. The points earned are the down payment on the $20,000 for the honorable Master of the Table award.
Francisco was especially aware; he'd won it last year, for the second time!
They entered the packed Accu-Stats Arena. Bustey, usually boisterous and jovial, was more serene. Dennis, who rarely smiled before, or during, a match, always maintained focus 'til the last ball dropped. Today was no different.
Dennis winning first match wasn't to be. Even running 9 balls in a row, before a kiss of death scratched him, couldn't stop Bustey's multiple ball pocketing onslaught. Fortunately, Dennis had the cushion of the buy-back booth.
The crowd loved it; they knew that, now, there were going to be 2 more matches. Accu-Stats was elated, too, as there would be more of their pro pool TV programming on FOX Sports Asia.
Enter Earl. Bustey had just eliminated him in the BIG Foot 10-ball Challenge and felt comfortable. Earl did, too. During practice, he was pocketing balls with ease but, was first to admit, "Doing it in a match is a different story,"
Very different, especially, if the other guy is firing in short rail bank after short rail bank. Side pockets are easier, we all know that but, when your opponent is consistently nailing them off the short rail, that's intimidating.
At 3-1 winners, Bustey was off to a good start. Earl, who always cashed Bank prize money, scored his highest finish ever, and $2,500.
Now, back to the arena. Knowledgable crowd members were heard murmuring, "Can anyone beat Dennis twice?" It was possible. Lee Vann Corteza did last year in the Southern Classic 9-Ball.
The onslaught ensued, At 1-0, Dennis destroyed another rack. At 2-0, he can taste it.
Bustey riveted a rack and it's 2-1. Dennis ran another 4 balls and barely missed the 5th. He pounded his cue off the floor on his way to his seat. Sitting down, he slapped the arm of his chair. The sound of his flesh hitting the polished wood ricocheted around the arena. He'd left a bank.
Bustey rose to the occasion and banged in 4 on him. These balls weren't being babied. They were smacked in the back of the pocket. Bustey needed only one more sphere and we were tied at two.
It wasn't to be. Dennis stabbed the remaining orb and bounded around the arena bouncing about 5 feet off the ground.
"I can't believe it," he exclaimed, "Even at 2 games to one, needing only one ball, I was really scared, I know what Django can do. I've seen him come back so many times."
But, not today, Today, the battle was over. Bustey had to settle for second and $5,000.
Stay tuned, pool fanatics, Dennis is undefeated in One-Pocket and has a 141 ball run in the 14.1.
The Derby City Classic One Pocket Championship.
John Brumback, 2009 DCC Banks Champion and 2010 DCC Master of the Table–he won the Banks then, too–doesn't get intimidated. He's on home turf, he knows Diamond equipment well, he can bank in balls that other wouldn't attempt because they're "impossible" so, why should he be intimidated?
Today, he didn't know what hit him.
Sure, he knows Lee Vann Corteza but not as one-pocket man. Lee Vann recently won the 2103 Southern Classic 9-Ball Championship, Yet again, he'd beaten, newly inducted One Pocket Hall of Famer Cliff Joyner at DCC last year.
In the first game, John's superior one-pocket knowledge soon had Corteza, seemingly, handcuffed. Little did he know that Lee Vann had improved his moving, found a loophole, and ran out the rack: 1-0.
While making a ball, John made a courageous crack at the rack and they spread like straight pool. Unfortunately, with uncomfortable cue ball position, whitey found a hole. "That scratch is gonna cost me the game," John grieved.
Corteza ran a few and left the sweetest looking safe with the cue ball snug up against the stack. He soon found out that nothing is safe with Brumback at the table.
He bent the new, lime-green Cyclop 6-ball off the short rail straight into his pocket leaving perfect position to run 7 and out.
Interestingly enough, the game that John thought he would lose is the only game he won. Corteza's pin-point cue ball position play was impenetrable. He negotiated 8 balls in every rack he attacked. "It's moving that's important. That's where I have so much to learn. Running the balls is easy," he laughed. At 3-1, he certainly made it look that way.
The One Pocket continues in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Still undefeated are: Dee Atkins, Shannon Daulton, Michael Delawder, Corey Deuel, Scott Frost–who next faces John Schmidt, Jeremy Jones, Dennis Orcollo, Evgeny Stalev, and 2013 Southern Classic Banks finalist, Skyler Woodward.
Visit accu-stats.com for Wednesday's upcoming matches.
2104 George Fels Memorial Straight Pool Challenge: High runs, Tuesday, 28th.
Ralf Souquet: 178
Dennis Orcollo; 141
Kristian Stepanov; 140
Darren Appleton: 122
Jayson Shaw: 112
John Schmidt: 103
Nick van der Berg: 100
Watch Straight Pool LIVE all day: insidepoolmag.com
The One Pocket, and Bank Pool, Hall of Fame Banquet:
One Pocket Inductee: Cliff Joyner
Bank Pool; Tony "Banks" Coleman
What a blast! Kudo's to Steve Booth, of onepocket.org, for delivering DCC's most consistently entertaining evening of road stories, laughter, and roast: The One-Pocket, and Bank Pool, Hall of Fame Banquet.
This ain't your momma's BCA banquet, this is like spending a night with the rat pack. Freddy "The Beard" Bentivegna is a master, master of ceremonies and tells tales that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you wonder, "And, we're honoring this guy?" But, that wasn't the case tonight:
Congratulations to Cliff Joyner for induction into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame and to Tony "Banks" Coleman for the Bank Pool Hall of Fame.
Both men were visibly moved. The honor evoked so much emotion that it truly caught them, and the room, off guard. All in all, a very touching ceremony indeed.
In recent years, both men have won the Derby City Classic Louie Roberts Action/Entertainment Award. What that really means is that they got into more "money games" than anyone during the 9 day long, let's-see-who-can-play-pool-the-longest-for-the-most-money fest.
Nick Varner told humorous tales of his encounters, and encouragement, from the infamous Hubert Cokes who was posthumously honored, along with Harold Worst, for One Pocket. Bob Bowles was entered, also posthumously, for Bank Pool.
Scott Frost took the podium and thanked Cliff for his contribution to his game by relating that, at 19, Cliff would play him 12-4. Bill Incardona, from the floor, heckled Scott that, "He still can:" Tough room.
The One-Pocket, and Bank Pool, Hall of Fame Banquet was hosted at The Horseshoe's Legends restaurant: The food's pretty good, too.