Scott Frost (File photo courtesy of Rick Schmitz)
Scott Frost beat his Bonus Ball teammate Manny Chau twice as part of an undefeated run through a field of thirty four players to win the Desert Classic Tour's Arizona State One Pocket Championship at Kolby's Corner Pocket on May 18th and 19th.
While Frost's one pocket ability has never been questioned, some might have been surprised to see Chau playing deeply into a one pocket event against the best that Arizona has to offer. Chau's success at the event on this weekend came down to his ball-making ability. Chau may not have the tactical experience that others have in one pocket, but when given an opening at the table, Chau does not miss.
Chau went through his Saturday matches with wins over Pete Lhotka, Dennis Orender and Lenny Marshall; and started off Sunday play with a win over Bernie Pettipiece. While that match was happening, Frost was sending Tres Kane to the one loss side to earn his place against Chau for the hot-seat.
On the one loss side, eight players were trying to keep their tournament hopes alive on Sunday. Mike Pankoff eliminated Jim Galati, Eric Young beat Lenny Marshall, Dennis Orender defeated Brian Reich and Bobby Emmons took advantage of a forfeit against California's Kenny Thomason.
Young then beat Pankoff and Orender ended Emmons' tournament.
Young kept his hopes alive by eliminating Tres Kane in 5th place. Joining Tres in 5th place was Dennis Orender, after a loss to Bernie on the left side of the board.
Back on the right side of the board, Frost made quick work of Chau 3-0 and took his place in the hot-seat.
Bernie would face off against Chau on the one loss side after eliminating Eric Young in 4th place.
Bernie seemed to have no answer for Chau's ball-making in their semi-final match as Manny scored three quick 8-0 game wins to eliminate Bernie in 3rd place.
Frost took early control of the final race to five and held a 4-1 lead. Considering he had beaten Chau in seven of their last eight games, Frost might have taken his foot off the gas a little bit and Chau quickly won two games to get back within one at 4-3. Chau's two game winning streak seemed to get Frost's attention as he re-focused on the task at hand and won the next game for the 5-3 win and yet another Arizona State One Pocket Championship for the Freezer.
The Desert Classic Tour will be back in action on June 1st and 2nd on the 7' Diamond tables at Stingers in Phoenix.
