LAUREL, MD – November 3, 2008 – Thirty one players and a number of pool-saavy spectators showed up for the first annual Maryland State One-Pocket Championships, a $1,000 added event held at Side Pockets Bar & Grill in Laurel, Maryland over the weekend of November 1-2.
In the race to five game finals, Brandon Shuff from Sterling, Virginia defeated Max Schlothauer from Baltimore, Maryland to become the 2008 Maryland State One-Pocket Champion. This event showcased Shuff's mastery in various pool disciplines, since he is also the current point's leader in the Tiger Pool Tour 9-ball rankings.
In the winner's side final four, Shuff and Schlothauer defeated and sent Leonardo Andam and Shawn Toni to the one-loss side bracket by identical 3 -1 scores. At that point, Schlothauer shot flawless One-Pocket to beat Shuff 3 – 0 in the hot seat match, making him the prohibitive favorite to win it all.
On the one-loss side, Eddie Abraham defeated Leonardo Andam and Pookie Rasmeloungon defeated Shawn Toni to set up a strong quarter finals match. In the hill-hill elimination match, Rasmeloungon defeated Abraham and then advanced to take on Shuff. In the semi-final match, Shuff defeated Rasmeloungon 3- 1 for a rematch against Schlothauer, but this time for the championship.
In the finals, Schlothauer looked unbeatable, getting off to a strong 3-0 lead, but then Shuff battled back to a 3-3 tie, before giving up game four to Schlothauer. Then Shuff showed true grit by battling back again to get to the deciding hill-hill game. In the deciding game, Shuff made a very gutsy bank shot to seal victory in the 2008 Maryland State One-Pocket Championship.
The Maryland State One Pocket tournament founder, Danny Green said, “It was a real gutsy performance by both players in the finals, but Brandon made a truly unbelievable bank shot to win the match.”
Mike Capone, owner of Capone Custom Cues said, “We had a truly impressive field of one-pocket players at this year's event. We are already looking forward to an even bigger, action packed One-pocket championship in the fall of 2009.”
