On April 4-6, in Austin, Texas, T. J. Davis and Belinda Campos reigned supreme at the $2560 added third stop in the Fast Eddie's 9 Ball Tour. A total of one hundred players competed with eighty participants in the open division and twenty participants in the newly created women's division with a total prize fund of $16,940.
Many of the Southwest's best 9 Ball players were in attendance. The top picks included Jeremy Jones, Charlie Bryant, Robert Almaraz, Al Mason, Gilbert Martinez, David Henson, James Davis Sr. and Junior, Shane Harvey, Barry Strickland, Johnny Morrow, Belinda Campos, Vivian Villareal and Leslie Anne Rogers.
Excitement was the key word at the offset of the opening rounds. Jeremy Jones, the current fifth ranked player in the world and winner of last month's Tour stop in Houston, played very well, handing defeats to Anthony Lowell 9-1, Joel Ramirez 9-5, Roman Baddya 9-4, before losing to Charlie Bryant in a close match 9-8. On the one loss side, Jeremy overcame James Roberts 7-6, Corey Dordek 7-3, Jesse Mata 7-4, to meet up again with Charlie Bryant. Charlie was on his game and defeated Jeremy 7-3 for Jeremy to finish in a respectable fourth place.
Houston's own Charlie Bryant spun into action overcoming Candy Ramos, Rene Andiuna, the legendary Ronnie Allen, Jeremy Jones, to meet T. J. Davis in the semi-finals for his first loss, 9-5. On the other side, Charlie defeated Barry Strickland 7-2, to meet the dark horse of the tournament, Tony Cuellar. With Tony on the hill 6-5, Charlie got a little tricky on the eight and scratched rolling down table for the nine. Charlie finished a very hard earned third place.
Tony Cuellar made a lot of jaws drop over the weekend. Known locally around San Antonio as a steady straight shooter, Tony has not played in many large tournaments over the last few years. Tony raised eyebrows with his wins over Martin Ramos 9-3, Tony Hinojosa 9-8, Steve Owen 9-3, Gilbert Martinez 9-5, Jesse Mata 9-3, to advance to the finals of the winner's bracket where he lost to the very determined T. J. Davis, 9-2. Once on the one loss side, Tony went to work with a win over Charlie Bryant 7-5, to again meet with T. J. in the finals.
T. J. Davis came into the tournament looking very relaxed and confident. On his way to the hot seat, T. J. defeated Sparky Farrell 9-6, Al Mason 9-3, Robert Almaraz 9-7, Corey Dordek 9-6, Charlie Bryant 9-5, Tony Cuellar 9-2.
With Tony Cuellar's win over Charlie Bryant, this set the stage for T. J. to meet Tony in the finals. T.J. continued to play relaxed and confident and beat Tony 9-3.
Thanks again to Fast Eddie's Mark Lewis, Tommy Wells (GM) and his staff, the Tour Sponsors, and the players for making this event the success it turned out to be.
Total Payouts
1st - T.J. Davis $4690.00
2nd - Tony Cuellar $3230.00
3rd - Charlie Bryant $2300.00
4th - Jeremey Jones $1440.00
5th & 6th - Jesse Mata, Barry Strickland $800.00
7th & 8th - Johnny Morrow, Corey Dordek $500.00
9th-12th - James Davis Sr., James Roberts, Gilbert Martinez & Leroy Mathis $125.00
13th-16th - Al Mason, Carl Ray, Tommy Millburn & Roman Baddya $75.00
Womens Total Payouts
1st - Belinda Campos $770.00
2nd - Leslie Ann Rogers $575.00
3rd - Michelle Cortez $380.00
4th - Deanna Henson $195.00
5th & 6th - Heather Shaddock & Kim Sanders $30.00
