One-Pocket Begins: LARRY NEVEL SHINES!

[JAM]

The one-pocket tournament is in full swing, and there is a star-studded field of players at Fast Eddie's in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The 2005 Carolinas Open is in progress.

Though originally the one-pocket event was supposed to be cut off at 32 players, Fast Eddie's opened their doors to 50 one-pocket combatants, all hoping to make a score.

Larry Nevel is on the winners' side and defeated Francisco Bustamante and Gabe Owen from jump street. Gabe just won the Texas Open, and he's got a shot at climbing the charts in this event, too! Jose Parica is also on the B side of the charts this morning. Shannon Daulton lost to 2004 Carolinas Open Winner Scott Frost, and Charlie Bryant also suffered defeat at the hands of The Freezer, but don't rule Shannon and Hillbilly out quite yet. They're still in this fight.

The 2003 Carolinas Open One-Pocket Winner Ronnie Wiseman lost to Jeremy Jones, but is still holding strong.

Earl Strickland is not there yet, but is planning on competing in the 9-ball tournament which will begin tomorrow. Johnny Archer is not in attendance this year. The rumor mill has him in Cambodia (?).

This year, a special seating area has been designated for the spectators and fans with elevated bleacher seating.

That's about it for now.

Don't ever underestimate the power of Larry Nevel, a fierce competitor in any event he attends!

JAM

 

[satman]

Thanks Jam, I played Larry in a couple of tournaments before he got to be so well known. Man has his game progressed. Very talented and has one of the strongest draw strokes I've ever seen. Sam

 

[bobson_215]

no efren reyes or cliff joyner in one pocket?

 

[BazookaJoe]

no efren reyes or cliff joyner in one pocket?

.....or Marco Marquez, Buddy Hall, Tony Chohan, or JR Gay?

 

[JAM]

This just in...

My homeboy Brandon Shuff gave me a brief update, and it goes like this. Larry Nevel is "snapping everybody off," according to the young gun from Virginia. He's in perfect form and doesn't miss much!

Other players in the one-pocket event: Sugar Shane from Pittsburgh, Walter Kiamcko (sp), Sparky, Tony "T-Rex" Chohan, Wade Crane, Grady Mathews, Charlie Brinson, and Santos.

The double-elimination format is a race to 3 with an extended race to 5 for the finals.

One pocket phenoms Efren Reyes and Cliff Joyner didn't make it to the one-pocket tourney at the Carolinas Open this year!

Virginia Young Gun Brandon Shuff received a buy and then went on to win his first match in the tournament against the colorful Charlie Brinson, a local celebrity in Goldsboro.

Brandon was hoping to get the opportunity to play One-Pocket Veteran Grady Mathews his next round, but Wade Crane knocked Grady to the B side of the charts. Brandon will play Wade Crane at 5:00 p.m. tonight.

Brandon didn't waste much time getting in action last night. He tackled another North Carolinian roadster named Brady Norris, getting spotted 9 to 7 for an undisclosed amount, and the crowd surrounded his table, putting a little heat on the youngster. He was stuck three games, but crawled his way back to even and called it a night!

Just a few more tidbits!

Picture of Charlie Brinson, always the life of the party. Everybody loves Charlie!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Breaking News...

2004 U.S. Open Champ Jeremy Jones snapped off 2004 Carolinas Open One-Pocket Champ Scott Frost in the winner's bracket, 3 to zip! Scott is still in this race, though, in the losers' bracket!

Other players in attendance: Ohio Young Gun Chris Bartrum, Virginia Veteran Dave Bollman, 2003 UPA Rookie Mike Davis, North Carolinian B.J. Ussery, Rob Saez, Maryland One-Pocket Veteran Tom-Tom Wirth, and Jason Kirkwood.

On the roster for the 5 o'clock rounds tonight, there are four men left standing in the winners' bracket:

Nick Varner vs. Larry Nevel and Mike Serber (sp) vs. Jeremy Jones.

Still in this fight on the B side of the chart:

Santos vs. Calvin Ferrill (sp) [I wonder...is "Calvin" a/k/a Sparky?]
Ronnie Wiseman vs. Warren Kiamco
Gus Brisano (sp) vs. Francisco Bustamante
Rob Saez vs. Tom-Tom Wirth.

Brandon Shuff will play the winner of Brian Jones and Brady Norris. Brian Jones came in third place last year at the Carolinas Open one-pocket event.

BCA Hall of Famer Nick Varner is going to be inducted into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame this week at the Carolinas Open. He's also having a GREAT tournament, hanging tough in the winners' bracket. Couldn't think of a better ending to this one-pocket event than to have Nick Varner snap it off!

JAM

 

[Bread N Butter]

Action

Anybody else locking horns?

 

[JAM]

Anybody else locking horns?

There's quite a few of 'em barking, I hear, engaging in some back-and-forths, but nobody's gotten spanked hard quite yet.

I have a feeling that every table in the joint will be busy tonight after the tournament concludes!

The scenery in Goldsboro, NC is breath-taking, and the regulars at Fast Eddie's Bar and Grill are some of the best pool folk in the country. The pool players like it there and enjoy taking in the sights!

JAM

 

[Mike Templeton]

Brandon didn't waste much time getting in action last night. He tackled another North Carolinian roadster named Brady Norris, getting spotted 9 to 7 for an undisclosed amount, and the crowd surrounded his table, putting a little heat on the youngster. He was stuck three games, but crawled his way back to even and called it a night!

Picture of Charlie Brinson, always the life of the party. Everybody loves Charlie!

JAM

Jam,

Just a couple of footnotes. I was planning on going, since I lived around the Carolinas and know a few of the players in the area, but with Katrina, the gas uncertainties, and gas prices, I decided to stay in Chattanooga. There's a $1000 added women's tournament at Diamond Billiard Club this weekend. I know Sarah Rousey is in town and have heard from a couple of other "guns" who say they are going to show up, so hopefully there will be some stong female action around town.

The gentleman that locked up with Brandon is Norris Brady (instead of Brady Norris). He is (or was) from the Charlotte, NC area and does play pretty sporty one pocket.

Also, a funny story about Charlie Brinson. He stayed around Greenville, SC for a while in the early 90's, and everyone got to know him pretty well. He left town for a while, but we all ran into him again at JOB's in Nashville at the Music City Classic the next year.

Don Stephens, who owned Golden Cue in Greenville said, "Hey Charlie, where are you staying?"

To which Charlie replied, " Damn Don. It's only a 4 day tournament."

And in those days I guess it wasn't uncommon to stay the entire time in the poolroom without leaving. I have other yarns I could spin concerning Charlie, but I'd better not

Mike

 

[JAM]

Jam,

Just a couple of footnotes. I was planning on going, since I lived around the Carolinas and know a few of the players in the area, but with Katrina, the gas uncertainties, and gas prices, I decided to stay in Chattanooga.

I am kicking myself for not going. I had obligated myself for a job which was supposed to being yesterday and ended up getting postponed until this Monday, thanks to the Federal bureaucrats!

The gentleman that locked up with Brandon is Norris Brady (instead of Brady Norris). He is (or was) from the Charlotte, NC area and does play pretty sporty one pocket.

He was staying around Maryland way for a spell. He's one of those players who flies under the radar. He can play some one-hole!

Also, a funny story about Charlie Brinson. He stayed around Greenville, SC for a while in the early 90's, and everyone got to know him pretty well. He left town for a while, but we all ran into him again at JOB's in Nashville at the Music City Classic the next year.

Don Stephens, who owned Golden Cue in Greenville said, "Hey Charlie, where are you staying?"

To which Charlie replied, " Damn Don. It's only a 4 day tournament."

And in those days I guess it wasn't uncommon to stay the entire time in the poolroom without leaving. I have other yarns I could spin concerning Charlie, but I'd better not

I enjoy being around Charlie. He's really an upbeat kind of guy who enjoys putting smiles on people's faces.

Here's a photo of Charlie taken at last year's U.S. Open. Gold star goes out to who can name the player standing behind the column!

JAM

 

[Mike Templeton]

I am kicking myself for not going. I had obligated myself for a job which was supposed to being yesterday and ended up getting postponed until this Monday, thanks to the Federal bureaucrats!



He was staying around Maryland way for a spell. He's one of those players who flies under the radar. He can play some one-hole!



I enjoy being around Charlie. He's really an upbeat kind of guy who enjoys putting smiles on people's faces.

Here's a photo of Charlie taken at last year's U.S. Open. Gold star goes out to who can name the player standing behind the column!

JAM

Looks like Matlock behind the column.

 

[Mike Templeton]

I am kicking myself for not going. I had obligated myself for a job which was supposed to being yesterday and ended up getting postponed until this Monday, thanks to the Federal bureaucrats!



He was staying around Maryland way for a spell. He's one of those players who flies under the radar. He can play some one-hole!



I enjoy being around Charlie. He's really an upbeat kind of guy who enjoys putting smiles on people's faces.

Here's a photo of Charlie taken at last year's U.S. Open. Gold star goes out to who can name the player standing behind the column!

JAM

Oh, Jam, I meant to ask. Did Keith see the thread where I mentioned that I knew Berle G and Suzie were OK? Berle's poolroom in Ocean Springs was OK I believe, but Suzie's house was gone.

 

[JAM]

Looks like Matlock behind the column.

Wow, that didn't take long! (LOL) You got me, and the GOLD STAR!

If you can name the other two fellers, I'll really be impressed!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Oh, Jam, I meant to ask. Did Keith see the thread where I mentioned that I knew Berle G and Suzie were OK? Berle's poolroom in Ocean Springs was OK I believe, but Suzie's house was gone.

I did show it to him, and he really appreciated hearing that GOOD news about them being safe. Thanks for letting him know. Him and Berle go a long ways back.

Keith spoke to Ricky P. from Metairie today on the phone. He said everything in Slidell is history. He's never seen so many broken trees turned into twigs, and in his opinion, none of the buildings survived. He said his house in Metairie remained standing, but everything inside it is moldy and ruined.

FEMA is giving Hurricane Katrina victims $2,000 via the American Red Cross, and some folks are beginning to get their funds.

JAM

 

[sweatinNbettin]

Wow, that didn't take long! (LOL) You got me, and the GOLD STAR!

If you can name the other two fellers, I'll really be impressed!

JAM

I think its Tang Hoa on the right.Not sure who it is that is talking Charlie.

 

[boradriver]

I think its Tang Hoa on the right.Not sure who it is that is talking Charlie.

That would be Bernard if I'm not mistaken. Do I get a gold star too.

 

[Ktown D]

Oh, Jam, I meant to ask. Did Keith see the thread where I mentioned that I knew Berle G and Suzie were OK? Berle's poolroom in Ocean Springs was OK I believe, but Suzie's house was gone.

Good to hear about Berle and Sue. I hope everything works out for both of them. Haven't seen them in about 2 years. I misspent quite a bit of my youth in their poolroom in Knoxville. Appreciate the update Mike.