While early development of natural skills is no guarantee of future success, it certainly doesn't hurt. Sixteen-year-old Hunter White is making a bit of a name for himself on the Q City 9-Ball Tour, where on the weekend of May 21-22, he came back from a loss in the hot seat battle to double dip, Zach Leonard, who'd sent him to the semifinals. Leonard, a two-time former North Carolina Junior 9-Ball Champion (2012-2013) was the winner of the tour's March 5-6 stop in Statesville, NC. This most recent 8-Ball event, a qualifier for the North Carolina 8-Ball Championship in November, drew 43 entrants to the Gate City Billiards Club in Greensboro, NC.
They met first in the hot seat match. Leonard had sent Dalton Messer to the loss side 7-3, as White was busy sending William Smith over 8-2. Leonard claimed the hot seat 7-2 over White and waited on his return.
On the loss side, Messer picked up Blade Best, who'd eliminated William Cloud 5-7 (Cloud racing to 9) and Morgan Sutherland 5-3. Smith drew Bryan Plummer, who'd defeated Dale Lloyd 7-4 and Ryan Hollinsworth 7-5. Best and Plummer handed Messer and Smith their second straight losses; Best 5-1 over Messer and Plummer by forfeit over Smith.
Best downed Plummer in the quarterfinals 5-4 (Plummer racing to 7), before being eliminated by White in the semifinals 8-3.
Leonard took his best shot in the opening set of the true double elimination final, battling to White to double hill, before White prevailed to force the second set. White won that second set to claim the event title.
Tour Director Herman Parker thanked the ownership and staff at the Gate City Billiard Club, as well as sponsors Viking Cues, and Delta-13 Racks. The next stop on the Q City 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for the weekend of May 28-29, will be hosted by Friendly Cues, in Lynchburg, VA.
