Breakers Sports Bar in Rock Hill, South Carolina was the happening place this past weekend with top names making there way to the latest $1500 Great Southern Billiard Tour “Mid-Carolina Classic” main event, and $250 second chance Sunday event. Included in the forty-player main event were top players Gabe Owen, Larry Nevel, Mike Davis, Shannon Daulton, Sparky Ferrell, Jeff Abernathy, Eddie Little, and Greg Dix.
The weekend is different, but the results of the main event were not. Larry Nevel started out the weekend's first round with a dominating win over Tour Director Shannon Daulton 9-0 and all seemed to fall into place for yet another undefeated title win. When Sunday began, sixteen players remained:
Winners side:
Roy Payton vs. Larry Nevel
Matt Reed vs. Josh Roberts
Eddie Little vs. Sparky Ferrell
Billy Holmes vs. Mike Davis
One-loss side:
Shannon Daulton vs. Bob Ruffalo
Adam Pendley vs. Tim Beba
Brady vs. Peanut
Eric Charlton vs. Josh Johnson
On the winner's side Nevel (9-0), Reed (9-7), Little (9-6), and Davis (9-2) moved ahead; while the one-loss players saw Daulton (9-2), Pendley (9-4), Brady (9-7); and Charlton (9-6) push through.
As the day progressed, the winners side saw Nevel and Davis meet up for the all-important hot-seat match. Davis managed to squeeze past Nevel by a tight score of 9-8 to hold his position and await the ultimate return of Nevel in the final round. All the while, the one-loss side was working itself down with Daulton defeating Ferrell, Holmes, Reed, and after a 9-3 win over Josh "The Killer" Roberts, he met up with Nevel in the semi-final round.
Nevel had already had a bit of a scare in the form of young gun Adam Pendley earlier in the weekend as Pendley put up quite a fight during their heated match only to fall by such a short margin of 9-7; then with Davis in the hot-seat, but by the time Daulton made his way to him in the semis, he was ready to rumble but unfortunately for both players, the day had taken its toll and it became something short of a grind-fest. After miscues, scratches, and missed balls, it became a test to see who wanted Iron Mike Davis the most and in the end, the double hill match ended with Nevel sitting pretty on top ending Daulton's tournament life to move on to seek revenge on Davis.
In the true double elimination final, Nevel jumped in getting his hands dirty first with a win of the first set 9-7. The second set saw Nevel and Davis duking it out and with a score board reflecting 8-8, Davis breaks dry and safety play proceeded – Nevel buried Davis shortly after to finish off the day with another win 9-8. The Mid-Carolina Classic Champion title became yet another notch in Nevel's belt – congratulations to both Nevel and Davis for a fantastic battle.
Honorable mentions from the main event include the top lady finisher award which was split down the middle this weekend between Katie Cowan and Christy Causey – the ladies took home $25 each.
In addition, the Sunday second chance tournament brought in eighteen entrants for the $250 added pot. Congrats to Adam Pendley (1st-$225), Mike Basha (2nd-$125), and Antonio Tovar and Brian Snipes (3rd/4th-$80).
Thanks to sponsor Nick Varner (Nick Varner Cues & Cases) for stopping by this weekend – many enjoyed seeing him at Breakers and as always, your support is appreciated. Additional sponsors to thank: Jimmy Reeves Custom Cues & Repairs, and Break N Run Sportswear. Last but definitely not least, thanks to Breakers (owners, Jeff and Amy Peele) and their staff for offering a great atmosphere to play.
The next stop for the GSBT is The Greater Greensboro Open slated for June 21st-22nd at Shooters in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more information on the tour or its upcoming events, contact Shannon Daulton directly at (865) 850-4572.
