Just got back from Valley Forge and I'm still abuzz over what I saw Saturday night and Sunday in the pro 10-ball events.
Before focusing on the men's event, which I intend to celebrate in this post, I must give heed to a couple of ladies first. Kelly Fisher was much the best in snapping off the ladies 10-ball event, and the tough Diamond tables didn't seem to present many problems for the many time snooker champion. Well played, Kelly. Also deserving of attention is late teen Brittany Bryant, the sharpshooting Canadian who was Junior World Champion not too long ago. Brittany gutted out a victory against a very game Liz Ford on Saturday night to reach the semifinal against Sarah Rousey. In the semifinal, Rousey jumped out to a 6-1 lead, but Bryant had no quit in her and played superbly to come back for a 9-7 win. Though no match for Kelly Fisher in the final, Brittany turned a few heads at Valley Forge, and with a smile as infectious as her game, she's likely to be a crowd favorite for years to come.
OK, on to the men. Saturday night was Jon "Hennessee" Pinegar's night. After a brilliant comeback after trailing 6-3 against Archer, John overpowered Van Boening and then carved a masterpiece in a 9-3 whitewashing of Deuel to win the hot seat. I wondered whether I'd ever witnessed better 10-ball than Jon had displayed on Saturday night, but Sunday would prove even more electrifying. Hohmann and Van Boening played a truly beautiful match, won double-hill by Van Boening, a match in which you hated to see anyone lose. Shane then played superbly against Deuel, winning easily, to set up the race to thirteen final against Pinegar. It looked interesting for a while, with Pinegar racing out to a 2-0 advantage, but thirteen of the next sixteen racks would be won by Van Boening in the most impressive display of 10-ball I've ever witnessed.
Thanks to Jon and Shane for a memorable display of almost unparalleled excellence over the glorious green felt. Those of us who follow the tournament trail always hope we're on hand when the most elite players get in the zone, but to watch two players execute at this level match after match after match was a rare treat that this particular fan greatly appreciated.
And, of course, thanks to Allen Hopkins for a great show.
Before focusing on the men's event, which I intend to celebrate in this post, I must give heed to a couple of ladies first. Kelly Fisher was much the best in snapping off the ladies 10-ball event, and the tough Diamond tables didn't seem to present many problems for the many time snooker champion. Well played, Kelly. Also deserving of attention is late teen Brittany Bryant, the sharpshooting Canadian who was Junior World Champion not too long ago. Brittany gutted out a victory against a very game Liz Ford on Saturday night to reach the semifinal against Sarah Rousey. In the semifinal, Rousey jumped out to a 6-1 lead, but Bryant had no quit in her and played superbly to come back for a 9-7 win. Though no match for Kelly Fisher in the final, Brittany turned a few heads at Valley Forge, and with a smile as infectious as her game, she's likely to be a crowd favorite for years to come.
OK, on to the men. Saturday night was Jon "Hennessee" Pinegar's night. After a brilliant comeback after trailing 6-3 against Archer, John overpowered Van Boening and then carved a masterpiece in a 9-3 whitewashing of Deuel to win the hot seat. I wondered whether I'd ever witnessed better 10-ball than Jon had displayed on Saturday night, but Sunday would prove even more electrifying. Hohmann and Van Boening played a truly beautiful match, won double-hill by Van Boening, a match in which you hated to see anyone lose. Shane then played superbly against Deuel, winning easily, to set up the race to thirteen final against Pinegar. It looked interesting for a while, with Pinegar racing out to a 2-0 advantage, but thirteen of the next sixteen racks would be won by Van Boening in the most impressive display of 10-ball I've ever witnessed.
Thanks to Jon and Shane for a memorable display of almost unparalleled excellence over the glorious green felt. Those of us who follow the tournament trail always hope we're on hand when the most elite players get in the zone, but to watch two players execute at this level match after match after match was a rare treat that this particular fan greatly appreciated.
And, of course, thanks to Allen Hopkins for a great show.
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