Derby City Classic XVI, Jan 24-Feb 1, 2014
Horseshoe Southern Indiana
Elizabeth, Indiana.
Sponsored by Diamond SMART TABLE, True Blue Simonis 860 Cloth, and Cyclop Pool Balls.
Day 3 is always the busiest as the 10-Ball and Banks divisions continue while, this year, the 1-Pocket division summoned 298 fresh combatants.
The Diamond crew is at its craziest as they scramble schedules so that all players get a chance, at least, to eat. Sleep is out of the question.
Competitors have to switch gears quickly from one discipline to the other. Niels Feijen, immediately after his Banks match finished, was slamming the BIG Foot shuffle with Efren. That's when you need the ability to slip it into overdrive.
But, wait, we're getting ahead of ourselves.
In the opening quarter final, 10-Ball match, early morning jitters had Ralf Souquet and Jayson Shaw jawing balls that they would normally make in their sleep.
Ralf woke up a little quicker than Jayson and jumped ahead 6-1.
Succumbing to that comfortable lead, Ralf fell into BIG Foot's trap, jawed another one, and left the 5 dangling in the hole.
After sitting in the "electric chair" for so long, Jayson, wisely, took that so important time-out.
Returning to the table, it seemed that he had quieted the voices as he ran out with elegant ease. And, it's 2-6. Breaking and running through the 9th rack he got out of line and the elusive object ball rode around the lip of the pocket. It was then that Jayson began to unravel, never to recover.
With a hefty .874 Total Performance Average Ralf, quietly, with surgeon-like skill, sliced and diced until Jayson conceded the set at 11-3.
Quarter finals #2 had Efren, patiently, await Niels Feijen who was effectively negotiating racks in that Banks match in the outer arena.
Feijen grabbed a bite, recomposed his focus, and without further ado, began firing them in, from all distances, on the BIG Foot.
Efren, playing really well, wasn't phased.
Neither player got ahead as they nipped and ducked until tied at 8. Then, it was truly cat and mouse until Niels got to the hill, found that overdrive, stayed calm and collected, and ran the last rack.
His TPA of .889 was 1/10 of a point behind Shane's .899 captured earlier in the event. Efren's .854 wasn't too shabby either.
In Q3, Shane sat on a comfortable cushion as he had bounced ahead 6-1 against young John Morra. The Van Boening effortless break is so formidable that–even on the BIG Foot–for the average player, it's hard to fade.
John is no average player. Showing so much heart and, that never-give-up initiative, Morra grabbed at every opportunity. It seemed in the blink of a Cyclop, he had tied it at 7.
Back and forth they battled until Shane got atop the hill first. John, eyes on the prize, clambered up behind him. With so much power, he slammed at the last rack. BIG Foot is cruel. He broke dry.
Shane, ever so cautious, crept to the table. It wasn't going to be easy: There was a cluster and a ball had to be banked. His breathing stayed steady, his poise never wandered, and every ball found its destination.
Shane, when straight in on the 10, John graciously climbed out of his chair, offered his hand, and his congratulations.
Morra had come ever so close; Watch for him throughout the rest of the series. He'a driven; Shane, too.
Q4: Earl meets Bustey.
Maybe, I'm drinking the Earl Kool-Aid but, I am starting to believe him when he states, " I'm the unluckiest player in the world."
All weekend long, as entertaining as ever, he counseled the crowd that he can't believe his luck–or, lack of it.
Today, even Bustey had to agree. "I did get lucky." He flashed his smile, "We both missed some balls and, I got lucky"
Luck does enter into it but, harnessing a .881, against Earl's .856, showed that they both shot lights-out, BIG Foot 10-Ball.
The good news is that they are both in the last 6 of the banks division. That's not luck, that's skill.
Maybe, they'll meet again, there, too. It's all in the luck of the draw.
The Diamond BIG Foot Challenge, semi's:
Ralf vs. Niels, Monday, JAN. 27, 3pm. EDT.
Bustey vs. Shane, 6pm.
The final is at 9.
Bank Pool Division: Speaking of the last 6 in Banks, Dennis Orcollo is the only player with a buy-back. That means that he is undefeated.
The aforementioned Earl and Bustey, will play tomorrow as do Southern Classic 1-Pocket winner Justin Bergman; 3rd in 2013 DCC Banks, Shannon Murphy, and Floridian David Grossman.
The semi's and finals are scheduled for Tuesday in the Accu-Stats' TV arena.
One Pocket Division: 298 movers and shakers are cued for action. Highlights included Corey Deuel drawing first blood with Adam Wheeler and Tyler Woodward ousting Charle Morra. They'll be back.
Dennis Walsh's 14.1 Straight Pool Challenge got underway with Nick Van Den Berg posting a 99 ball, high run in the chase to the last 8 to compete in the $7,000 added event.
Huidji See followed with a 93 and, John Schmidt, a 73.
John is back playing again and happy to mention that it's all thanks to a new sponsor, Str8-Shots. "These guys are really good for pool and have developed a great junior's program. They are in it for the long haul," said John.
Speaking of Johnnies, Mr. Archer is anticipated to make a high run for it, tomorrow as will Bobby Hunter.
Bobby has another commitment lined up: This summer, he will marry the sweet, and gracious, Debbie, his long time girlfriend. Debbie's got game: She's competing in the DCC 9-Ball division.
American Rotation: And, last but not least, congratulations to Jerry Calderon's 150-120 win over Joe Dupuis to win the first American Rotation event.
Developed by Joe Tucker, you know him from the well selling "Racking Secrets" DVD, American Rotation is based on regular Rotation only with more interaction between players.
Sponsored by Mark Griffin and CSI, Accu-Stats is hoping to showcase a challenge game between two high profile pros before the BIG Foot semi's, around noon, on Monday.
To see this and the BIG Foot 10-Ball semi's and finals, LIVE, visit accu-stats.com.
For the 14.1/Straight Pool action visit insidepoolmmag.com
