Best Teen Pool Player Ever

[satman]

Here's one more

As teenagers....

Shannon Daulton
Tony Watson
Stevie Moore
Michael Coltrain
Danny Harriman
Jeremy Jones

Corey Deule
Alex the lion
who was the best in their teens would be a hard question. I watched both these guys and played Corey before he started playing tournaments. I also watched Shannon Daulton at the ripe old age of 13, betting $200 a game, getting the call 8 on a gold crown and running out from everywhere. The night before I got there, he got the 6 from Wade Crane and ran 6 racks on him. He's probably my choice from all the kids I've seen play. Sam

 

[sjm]

I think sammy ran 200 or more when he was 16,,I could be off on the numbers.Tony would remember I am sure

Very hard to believe. Sammy blossomed in his late teens, not his mid teens. I played him at the Golden Q in Queens when he was 16 and this is just plain inconceivable. Obviously, anything's possible, but Sammy wasn't really a worldbeater until he was 18.

 

[Timberly]

I also watched Shannon Daulton at the ripe old age of 13, betting $200 a game, getting the call 8 on a gold crown and running out from everywhere. The night before I got there, he got the 6 from Wade Crane and ran 6 racks on him. He's probably my choice from all the kids I've seen play. Sam

While my response was really in no particular order, I will say that Shannon being the 1st on the list was no mistake. All of them played GREAT as teenagers but Shannon was much better at a much younger age, no doubt about it.

 

[Island Drive]

Earthquake

When Kiether' was playin in the original Hard Times/Costa Mesa (68-69) they said "no one could beat him, even Buddy Hall" No other teenager played any BETTER, probably ever than the kid. He gets my vote.

 

[Jimmy M.]

Thats true, but when was the last time a 16 year old became a world champion!

He'd probably be my pick too with that accomplishment, but the question was which teen in the U.S. is/has been the best player. Has anyone mentioned Corey? I went to the East Coast for a few months a while back when Corey was about 14 and already played pretty damn good. I'm sure he was playing even better in his later teen years.

 

[dogginda9]

I believe Jesse Bowman was about 15 or 16 when he won the big bar table event in Olathe, KS and then won it again a year or so later. Could be wrong but he was playing awfully good in his mid teens.

 

[hemicudas]

When Kiether' was playin in the original Hard Times/Costa Mesa (68-69) they said "no one could beat him, even Buddy Hall" No other teenager played any BETTER, probably ever than the kid. He gets my vote.

When Keith was 15 years old I ask Buddy Hall if anyone was the favorite to beat this kid on the bar box. Buddy laughed and said, "Just me, you wanna stake it?" I laughed and said, pass.

I believe the fair way to find out who was best as a teenager is to ask someone like a Buddy Hall or other top player in his age bracket, who has seen them all play, who was/is the best?

 

[thenuke]

best 17 year old

Justin Bergman By Far Gets My Vote. Just Recently Snapped Off His Second Consecutive High Pockets, Memphis Tourney Over A Highly Talented Field (undefeated In Both). I Have Seen Most Of The Other People Listed On This Thread Play. They Couldn.t Beat Justin Then Or Now!!!

 

[jay helfert]

Does anyone know who the child prodigy was who passed away in I believe the eightes who played lights out? He may have been from Kentuckey. I think he was profiled on the t.v show "thats incredible" It was not just a gimmick either he could really play. I believe his father may post somewhere and may be an instructor.

Chan Witt I beleive his name was. Died about ten years ago at age 18 or 19.

 

[jay helfert]

When Kiether' was playin in the original Hard Times/Costa Mesa (68-69) they said "no one could beat him, even Buddy Hall" No other teenager played any BETTER, probably ever than the kid. He gets my vote.

Thank you! He gets my vote too. All the way.
Keith at 16 was a world beater! He didn't need weight. He gave up weight...to top players. I saw Shannon at 14, 15, 16. Very good but not in Keith's class at the same age.
Keith was playing Pay Ball (on a 10' snooker table) at the Billiard Palace in Bellflower at 14 and 15 against the best players in the world, for big bucks. And winning more often than not.
At that time the best bar table players anywhere were the top Mexican players: Sergio, Mario, Little Al, Al Nicaraugua, Tracy Joe. By age 18 Keith had his first nickname, "El Diablo" the devil. He had bar-b-qued all these Mexican champions over and over again on their tables. He was giving all of them the 7 or the 8 and busting them relentlessly. He retired Tracy Joe.
I'm not talking about winning some Junior titles or any tournament for that matter. I'm talking about getting down on the table and playing until someone went broke. Keith was robbing everybody and taking on all comers at 17 and 18. He had some fierce battles with Kim that went on for days. He had to give Kim the eight. Only other one like him was Cole. Cole was flying around the country at 18 and 19 looking for the best players to play big money games. And winning them too!
The best players always have been the guys that could tee it up for the cheese and take it off. Who ever heard of Denny Searcy? He used to go to tournaments and challenge the winner to play for everything he just won.
He didn't care if his name was Sigel, Mizerak or Hopkins. They really didn't want any part of Denny. So you tell me who the best player is.
And last but not least lets not forget Little Richie from Torrance. Richie Florence was damn good by age 16 or 17 and playing the best on the coast.
By his early 20's he had to be the best 9-Ball player in the world, bar none.
Greatest teenage pool player ever - KEITH McCREADY!

 

[B.J.the bandit]

she played Fats on T/V?

I thought Lorre Jon Oginowski won a US Open at 14 years old.

I knew her as Lorre Shampoe .She was with a Larry, they stayed at my place, I ran him off and she ran with me as my daughter,tore up Dallas back when!! Would like to see her,if im right,we stopped & Muchi made her a cue,you all know I can't spell!! LOL She could sure play!!! I liked her, spunkie and honest.

 

[sarahrousey]

I knew her as Lorre Shampoe .She was with a Larry, they stayed at my place, I ran him off and she ran with me as my daughter,tore up Dallas back when!! Would like to see her,if im right,we stopped & Muchi made her a cue,you all know I can't spell!! LOL She could sure play!!! I liked her, spunkie and honest.

You aren't thinking of the same person. Loree Jon Oginowski is the now Hall of Famer, Loree Jon Jones. Lori Shampo passed away about a year ago. I heard she was a hell of a player and quite a road warrior as well.

 

[Fleece3]

Look out for Michael Tasado out of NYC. He is 14, and recently held his own at the UPA World Summit of Pool. I played him in my league and was quite impressed. Plus he has a very focused and strong father that keeps him focused (not to mention he is a great guy). I predict, that he will be the youngest US Open Champion ever. You heard it here first.

 

[Black-Balled]

Thank you! He gets my vote too. All the way.
Keith at 16 was a world beater! He didn't need weight. He gave up weight...
The best players always have been the guys that could tee it up for the cheese and take it off. ...
Greatest teenage pool player ever - KEITH McCREADY!

The cheese is what it's about. Very true & nice post.

 

[hemicudas]

Like I said

Thank you! He gets my vote too. All the way.
Keith at 16 was a world beater! He didn't need weight. He gave up weight...to top players. I saw Shannon at 14, 15, 16. Very good but not in Keith's class at the same age.
Keith was playing Pay Ball (on a 10' snooker table) at the Billiard Palace in Bellflower at 14 and 15 against the best players in the world, for big bucks. And winning more often than not.
At that time the best bar table players anywhere were the top Mexican players: Sergio, Mario, Little Al, Al Nicaraugua, Tracy Joe. By age 18 Keith had his first nickname, "El Diablo" the devil. He had bar-b-qued all these Mexican champions over and over again on their tables. He was giving all of them the 7 or the 8 and busting them relentlessly. He retired Tracy Joe.
I'm not talking about winning some Junior titles or any tournament for that matter. I'm talking about getting down on the table and playing until someone went broke. Keith was robbing everybody and taking on all comers at 17 and 18. He had some fierce battles with Kim that went on for days. He had to give Kim the eight. Only other one like him was Cole. Cole was flying around the country at 18 and 19 looking for the best players to play big money games. And winning them too!
The best players always have been the guys that could tee it up for the cheese and take it off. Who ever heard of Denny Searcy? He used to go to tournaments and challenge the winner to play for everything he just won.
He didn't care if his name was Sigel, Mizerak or Hopkins. They really didn't want any part of Denny. So you tell me who the best player is.
And last but not least lets not forget Little Richie from Torrance. Richie Florence was damn good by age 16 or 17 and playing the best on the coast.
By his early 20's he had to be the best 9-Ball player in the world, bar none.
Greatest teenage pool player ever - KEITH McCREADY!

Like I said earlier, ask one of the top players of the era who has seen them all who was/is the best. Well, you folks just heard from one. Jay Helfert, won more than his share of tournaments as well as $$$. I think Jay would agree that you could also ask another one of the top west coast players of the day, John Henderson and he would have similar things to say about the top teenage player ever,,,,,,,,,,,,Keith McCready. They all knew it.

 

[Jody B]

Thank you! He gets my vote too. All the way.
Keith at 16 was a world beater! He didn't need weight. He gave up weight...to top players. I saw Shannon at 14, 15, 16. Very good but not in Keith's class at the same age.
Keith was playing Pay Ball (on a 10' snooker table) at the Billiard Palace in Bellflower at 14 and 15 against the best players in the world, for big bucks. And winning more often than not.
At that time the best bar table players anywhere were the top Mexican players: Sergio, Mario, Little Al, Al Nicaraugua, Tracy Joe. By age 18 Keith had his first nickname, "El Diablo" the devil. He had bar-b-qued all these Mexican champions over and over again on their tables. He was giving all of them the 7 or the 8 and busting them relentlessly. He retired Tracy Joe.
I'm not talking about winning some Junior titles or any tournament for that matter. I'm talking about getting down on the table and playing until someone went broke. Keith was robbing everybody and taking on all comers at 17 and 18. He had some fierce battles with Kim that went on for days. He had to give Kim the eight. Only other one like him was Cole. Cole was flying around the country at 18 and 19 looking for the best players to play big money games. And winning them too!
The best players always have been the guys that could tee it up for the cheese and take it off. Who ever heard of Denny Searcy? He used to go to tournaments and challenge the winner to play for everything he just won.
He didn't care if his name was Sigel, Mizerak or Hopkins. They really didn't want any part of Denny. So you tell me who the best player is.
And last but not least lets not forget Little Richie from Torrance. Richie Florence was damn good by age 16 or 17 and playing the best on the coast.
By his early 20's he had to be the best 9-Ball player in the world, bar none.
Greatest teenage pool player ever - KEITH McCREADY!

I was able to watch Denny in Columbia, SC play Reed Pierce some golf back in the late 80's-early 90's when the Rack'em Up Classics were going. Denny was the best player in that game. He was consistantly kicking multi-rails and either getting safe or pocketing his ball for hours on end.I thought it was a fluke but after watching the entire match, It was'nt. The only way Reed was able to even come close to beating Denny was he outlasted Denny's vice, (BEER). If Denny could have stayed sober over the years IMO he was as talented as Efren and no telling how many tours or gamblers he could have dominated. Even Reed said after 4 hours of getting drilled " I do not know if I can beat this man". I also had a room mate, Jerry Bento, in the past 5 years that told me a lot of stories about Cochrans pool room and how tough it was in San Fran, lots of good stories about Keith,Denny,Jerry, when they were just kids.

 

[BackPocket9Ball]

From what I've heard, John Hennagan, aka "Cornflakes" out of Philadelphia was beating all comers for enormous stakes in the early 90s at back pocket 9-ball. He was at the oldest in his early 20s and perhaps was a teenager during some of that time. It's too bad for the pool world that he quit pool to be a pro poker player.

 

[i'll_bust_you]

teenagers

my favorite teen was defintely tracey lords...JK...Mike carella nd Mccready w/o a doubt...

 

[Black-Balled]

Chan Witt I beleive his name was. Died about ten years ago at age 18 or 19.

Found this:
Chan Whitt Jr. (1973-1994), boy wonder of professional pool. He could beat most local players even at the age of five when he had to climb upon the table and use a "bridge." His accomplishments were on a par with the touring professionals for his age and beyond. His father, Chan Sr., groomed two of his children, Chann Jr. and his oldest sister Priscilla, to be pool champions. Priscilla won several titles before dropping out of competition. Chan Sr. was little Chan's manager and arranged most of his guest appearances. He was born and grew up in Caldwell, near Lewisburg. Little Chan's life was cut short by a tragic auto accident. Before his casket was closed, his favorite cue stick was placed inside.
at http://members.aol.com/jeff560/famousw.html

 

[Bamacues]

They seem to get better and younger. Two years ago at the Glass City Open, Johnny Archer played an 11 year old left handed kid on the table in the foyer of the hotel. Kid beat Johnny and Johnny asked for his autograph..... that doesn't mean he will be great, but he was an incredible 11 year old.