The BEF Florida State Junior 9-Ball Championships took place in Ocala, FL on February 15, 2015. Competitors from as far away as North Carolina showed up to compete for a chance to win a spot in the 2015 BEF Junior Nationals that is being held in Las Vegas this year. Three age brackets were represented: 18 & under boys, 14 & under boys and 18 & under girls consisting of 20 participants. All of the players played to their greatest ability.
There were six competitors in the 18 & under boys division. Adam Froot played Matthew Franzke for a chance to take on Kody Kelly in the finals. Adam won the match 5-2 to advance to the finals. The final match was a grudge match. Kody Kelly sent Adam Froot to the losers bracket in the first round. Kody Kelly persevered and won the match 7-5 to become the Florida State Champion.
The 14 & under boys consisted of 11 competitors. Bobby Bruce, Jr. won the hot seat 5-3, sending Trenton White to the losers bracket. Trenton won the semi finals 5-3 to come back and play a grudge match gainst Bobby Bruce, Jr, Trenton defeated Bobby Bruce, Jr. on the hill 7-6 to become the Florida state champion.
In the 18 & under girls bracket we had three girls competing in a round robin format. Antonia Curry, Leah, Quillen, and Rio Kreischer-Alvarado. Antonia Curry and Leah Quillen won the most games in the round robin. The top two girls then played a final match race to 7 to see who would become the state champion. Antonia Curry won the final and is the Florida State Champion for the Girls.
A special thank you goes out to Boulevard Billiards for hosting the State Championship, Cue Ferrules.com for donating and putting metal ferrules on the cues that were given to the kids, Scott Froot for taking the photographs of the event. A special thanks goes out to the participants and their families.
DIVISION 18 & Under Boys
| 1st Place | Kody Kelly, 15 | Middleburg, Fl | Trophy, Paid Entry to 2015 BEF JR. Nationals, Cue Stick |
| 2nd Place | Adam Froot, 16 | Melbourne, Fl | Trophy, Goody Bag |
| 3rd Place | Matthew Franzke, 14 | West Melbourne, Fl | Trophy |
DIVISION 14 & Under Boys
| 1st Place | Trenton White, 10 | Plant City, Fl | Trophy, Paid Entry to 2015 BEF JR. Nationals, Cue Stick |
| 2nd Place | Bobby Bruce Jr., 13 | Tallahassee, Fl |
Trophy, Goody Bag |
| 3rd Place | Jonathan Burden, 14 | Jacksonville, Fl | Trophy |
DIVISION 18 & Under Girls
| 1st Place | Antonia Curry, 14 | Clearwater, Fl |
Trophy, Paid Entry to 2015 BEF Jr Nationals, Cue Stick |
| 2nd Place | Leah Quillinan, 15 | Huntersville, NC |
Trophy, Paid Entry to 2015 BEF Jr Nationals, goody bag |
| 3rd Place | Rio-Bella Kreischer-Alvarado, 8 | Williston, FL | Trophy, Paid Entry to 2015 BEF Jr Nationals |
The BEF is grateful for the continued support of its premier sponsors for helping to make the Junior State Championships (JSC) program possible: Simonis Cloth and Aramith. Thanks in part to GameTablesOnline.com and all the JSC hosts and organizers.
For more information on sponsoring, hosting, or participating in a Junior State Championship, visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039. Complete list of nationwide junior events listed here: http://billiardeducation.org/events/
