Shannon Daulton, Nikki Keeney, Mike Slaughter and Brent Henderson, owner of Stroker's
As the June 16-17 stop on the Great Southern Billiard Tour wound down to its final 12 players, only three were ranked as either A, or double AA. None were among the winners' side final four, and none would advance as far as the quarterfinals. It became a Battle of the "B's, won by Nikki Keeney, who came from the loss side and spoiled Mike Slaughter's bid for an undefeated weekend. The $1,500-added, amateur event drew 32 entrants to Stroker's Billiards in Sumter, SC.
Keeney and Slaughter met first among the winners' side final four. Slaughter sent Keeney west 7-2, and turned to face David Styers, who'd defeated Shawn Padgett 7-3. Slaughter got into hot seat with a 7-3 victory over Styers, and awaited his rematch against Keeney.
On the loss side, Keeney drew James "Peanut" Council, who'd defeated Brent Henderson 7-4, and one of the two remaining A players, Jordan Grubb 7-8 (Grubb had eliminated an A player, B.J. Hucks, in his previous match). Padgett drew the other remaining A player, Josh Roberts, who'd defeated Chris Weaver 11-1, and Shane Wilson 11-4. Keeney eliminated Council 7-4, Padgett dispatched the final A player, Roberts, 7-7, and the rest of the night was all B's, all the time.
Keeney survived a double hill, quarterfinal match against Padgett, and defeated Styers in the semifinals 7-2. He opened up the true double elimination, rematch final against Slaughter with a 7-3 victory, and capped the event victory with a strong 7-1 finish in the second set.
Shannon and Marge Daulton thanked Stroker's owners Brent and Nicole Henderson for hosting the tournament, as well as sponsors Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Mike Davis Exterminating, Tiger Products and Delta-13 racks. The next stop on the GSBT is scheduled for June 30-July 1 at Lucky Shot Billiards in Albemarle, NC.
