BCA Ladies Semifnal - My Reflections

sjm

Older and Wiser
Silver Member
I didn't take notes on this match, but here are my thoughts.

Nothing too important happened on the way to 2-2, but Jasmin had opportunities to seize control in racks five and six and made an error each time. Fisher's brilliant and enormously creative two way bank on the seven ball secured rack six, and a 4-2 lead. In rack seven, Allison slightly misplayed onto the six, but found yet another two way bank into the bottom corner. She missed it, but left the six near the bottom cushion in the middle of the table, with Jasmin far away from it. Surely, the match was slipping away for Jasmin, but, rather remarkably, Jasmin came with a killer table-length bank that set up the runout for 4-3. The tide had turned and not long after it was 5-5. Fisher had a tough runout in rack eleven, but was equal to the challenge, and her next break enabled her to play onto a three-nine combo that I felt was a 60% chance to make. Allison missed it, however, giving Jasmin new life, and Jasmin appeared headed for a runout when she inexplicably slow rolled the seven and missed it. I felt it showed nerves, and it would be the last ball hit by Jasmin in ths year's BCA pro event.

An interesting match for sure, in which Ouschan probably had enough good looks at the table to win, but Allison, though not executing at her highest level, played a very smart match, a patient game plan that paid dividends. I was very impressed by her game plan, which capitalized on her knowledge advantage over Jasmin, and now that Allison will have to work harder than ever before to win titles, having this kind of style available to her when she sees fit to use it may win her some matches against the young rising stars of the tour.

I thought Allison showed great discipline and maturity in this match. It is often said that a baseball pitcher must become cagier late in his career to continue to produce stellar results, and I think it may be true of some pool players, too, and it was tre of Allison on this occasion.

I'm really pleased for Allison. I suspect she'll have to step it up a notch to beat Corr tomorrow, but perhaps she will do just that. I'm really looking forward to the final, in which I still sense Corr is the favorite.

PS Bucktooth was sitting next to me during the match, but I wouldn't have known it if fellow poster Vagabond hadn't pointed it out.
 
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Thanks for the report. I, for one, am very glad that we have such a competitive WPBA these days. With Allison, Karen, Jasmin, Ga-Young, and the X-factor, as well as a host of other notables, we have quite a high-calibre level of pool being played on the distaff side.

People are talking as if Allison is over the hill. Allison is still young as far as pool players go, and she is a proven champion. I hope that this high level of international competition will push her game to new heights and that we'll continue to see her champion's heart. Karen is also a proven champion, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for her getting out there and duking it out with the boys, and more than holding her own!

Good luck to both in the finals!
 
Jasmin reminds me of Vivian Villareal. She has a powerhouse game and is capabale of coming with incredible shots but she seems to make a lot of unforced errors as well.

If she finds a way to play a little more consistently then you will see her winning a lot more tournaments.

I have seen her come with outs that would be nearly impossible for most humans. And I have seen her blow easy position many times costing her games.
 
John Barton said:
Jasmin reminds me of Vivian Villareal. She has a powerhouse game and is capabale of coming with incredible shots but she seems to make a lot of unforced errors as well.

If she finds a way to play a little more consistently then you will see her winning a lot more tournaments.

I have seen her come with outs that would be nearly impossible for most humans. And I have seen her blow easy position many times costing her games.

An astute observation John. Still, I see more firepower in Jasmin's game than Vivian ever had. I also think Jasmin is a good kicker but only a marginal defensive player, and plays very few two way shots. Her tactical knowledge needs to develop further, but I think it will. She's very far along for a 21 year old, and, to me, her pedigree is fully developed and her mental game is very far along.
 
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