I saw John Morra shoot at VF and was impressed,definately going to be the one to watch and has a bright future as long as he steers clear of the riff-raff crowd.
Who's the toughest kid out there?
- Thread starter Alex Kanapilly
- Start date
sjm said:
sjm...I beg to differ with you. Wu had never competed in any international competition until winning his way into the WPC, last summer, where he demonstrated his skills against the top players in the world. He is no "seasoned" player yet (as his failure to succeed in the CA IPT qualifier shows), and that, in itself, qualifies him as an 'up and coming' young player. As a result of his win in the WPC, he was invited to the World 8-ball Championship, where he dominated again. I think he will mature a lot in the next few years, and be a dominant force on the world pool scene. Until then, he is "up and coming". jmo. of course.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Wu has competed internationally a few times before his victory in the WPC. I met him in the BCA in Vegas in 2005. He has also played in the All Japan Championship and the Asian tour on few occasions.
He is by the way 17 years old now, and he is from Taiwan.
He is still learning and working on reaching his full potential. May be you can call him "up and coming" in that sense?
Although he lost in the IPT qualifier; in all fairness, that was really a very tough tournament. I think he should be commanded for travelling all the way from Taiwan to play in two of them. I am sure he has learned from those experience, which is important to make him a better player.
A lot of people in Taiwan would still regard Wu a bit less of a player than Yang, and Chao(may be even Kao). But in my opinion, Wu will become a better player than any of the top Taiwnese if he keeps travelling and challenging all the top players and world class tournaments all over the world the way he is doing now.
Whether he is "up and coming" or not, Wu is for sure one heck of a 17 years old, who has a bright future ahead of him.
Richard
He is by the way 17 years old now, and he is from Taiwan.
He is still learning and working on reaching his full potential. May be you can call him "up and coming" in that sense?
Although he lost in the IPT qualifier; in all fairness, that was really a very tough tournament. I think he should be commanded for travelling all the way from Taiwan to play in two of them. I am sure he has learned from those experience, which is important to make him a better player.
A lot of people in Taiwan would still regard Wu a bit less of a player than Yang, and Chao(may be even Kao). But in my opinion, Wu will become a better player than any of the top Taiwnese if he keeps travelling and challenging all the top players and world class tournaments all over the world the way he is doing now.
Whether he is "up and coming" or not, Wu is for sure one heck of a 17 years old, who has a bright future ahead of him.
Richard
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nineballer
Registered
One to watch!
I haven't heard anyone mention Landon Shuffet yet. He is only 11 but if anybody thinks he's not the real deal, just watch him play. At the Derby City Classic this year, I watched him play Tang Hoa. He lost 7-5, but Tang made it on the break twice. This kid is playing just a hair under the pros. In two years this kid will be playing their level. I don't think their will be a teenager that can beat him as soon as he turns into one. He's known for trick shots at his earlier ages, but has gotten away from that mostly for the last two years to focus on improving his game. He's playing unbelievable right now. His dad, a retired school teacher and a good player himself, is a great guy and will keep him away from any of the bad elements. Keep an eye out fellows!
I haven't heard anyone mention Landon Shuffet yet. He is only 11 but if anybody thinks he's not the real deal, just watch him play. At the Derby City Classic this year, I watched him play Tang Hoa. He lost 7-5, but Tang made it on the break twice. This kid is playing just a hair under the pros. In two years this kid will be playing their level. I don't think their will be a teenager that can beat him as soon as he turns into one. He's known for trick shots at his earlier ages, but has gotten away from that mostly for the last two years to focus on improving his game. He's playing unbelievable right now. His dad, a retired school teacher and a good player himself, is a great guy and will keep him away from any of the bad elements. Keep an eye out fellows!
T
Timberly
Guest
Austin Murphy will be with him every step of the way.nineballer said:
LOL, those two were attached at the hip during the DCC this yr.
Nineballer, It's one step at time in this game and Landon is doing very well as a junior player...but to say he is just a hair under the pros is not quite a fair assessment. There's a lot of local and regional talent that Landon has no game with much less the Tangs of the world. Tang could give Landon the break and the 5 out and win. That's just the way it is....Actually, Landon is facing an uphill battle: We are in a terrible location for pool. Tournaments are few and far between and the quality ones are almost nonexistent. Location is a major factor and it's not getting any better. Bottom line: Landon is a very good young player that has the fundamentals and the composure that could enable him to be a very strong player, but anything beyond that is just speculation. I appreciate the positive comments.nineballer said:
Just adding a little perspective,
Stan Shuffett
Scott Lee said:
Know where you're coming from, Scott, and what you say makes a lot of sense. No doubt, his game is still maturing and may still need some minor refinements.
Guess it just seems unlikely to me that the poster beginnning this thread would have forgotten the name of the "up-and-comer" if it was the reigning World Champion.
We have a 14 year old here, Evan Lunda, who (I'm going to go out on a limb) probably plays one-pocket better than anyone else his age in the world. We get him to play everything (Golf on a 6x12, snooker, 8 & 9 ball), 9ft and bar tables. I can't get him turned on to straight pool yet though.
Doesn't care much or have the mind-set for tournaments real well yet but he does do good in them. I would have had him and his father come to DCC for a few days but his Mother passed away then after a lengthy illness. He's a good smart kid and we know what he's been through so we all watch after him.
Personally, I'd like to see him in another sport (he does play baseball) but he loves being around cause it's like family to him. If he does stick with it and continues like he has been.....watch out for him.
Doesn't care much or have the mind-set for tournaments real well yet but he does do good in them. I would have had him and his father come to DCC for a few days but his Mother passed away then after a lengthy illness. He's a good smart kid and we know what he's been through so we all watch after him.
Personally, I'd like to see him in another sport (he does play baseball) but he loves being around cause it's like family to him. If he does stick with it and continues like he has been.....watch out for him.
Alex Kanapilly said:
Yes it is hype, they really have no chance against the pros. But it is still amazing how they play without fear and with a true youthful love of the game.
Several players in my area play this way. Are they up and coming world beaters? That remains to be seen. Landon Shuffett problably has a better chance than the ones I'm about to list. But I will say watching them play is a treat.
Ryan Stone and Elizabeth (Lizzy) Lovely did very well in the VNEA juniors and they play the same tournaments that the Jason Millers of the area play in. Lizzy has been playing in WPBA qualifiers and Ryan has been reported to have taken his game a little further from his home.
http://www.vnea.com/pdf/2005 Jr. Press Standings b.pdf
On another note, I did get to see Little Billy Thorpe play in a local Bar tournament. My team was playing in the VNEA Vegas qualifier and there were a few mini tournaments going on as well. Everyone just had to play this kid during down time just to watch him play. The mini's only had 20-30 players in them but little Billy was king of the hill in one of them! He eventually lost to my brother who told me, "That kid just free wheels the whole time, very aggressive."
I didn't really get to watch the other kids play much but it was fun watching that 9 year old Billy.
http://clarkvending.net/home page/new_home_page.htm
Click on: CHALLENGE ON THE GREEN 2006 RESULTS
T
Timberly
Guest
Nostroke said:
The thread title is who is the toughest kid out there.
CaptJR says Billy is the toughest kid out there.
Male Billy goats are called kids.... the toughest kid must be named Billy since thats what they call them.CaptainJR said:
A little goofy but funny just the same. (Hey, it made people think
)
JrPlayer01
Registered
Justin bergman one of the toughest rite now...Im a kid haha
toughest "kid"?
well in actuality I would have to say that John Moura is the toughest out there to beat right now for being only 15-16... in terms of maturity, ability, and stroke... he's completely at ease when he plays and rarely says 2 words... usually its scooter who is doing the barking for him...
as for josh brothers, having known him very closely i would say he is also tough but a kid now? he is 19 these days...
but what it does come down to is who has the most potential? There is always much hype around "kids" when they are up and coming but they level off and become good players... there are a millions of kid world beaters but are they going to go through with the sport or do something "silly" and go to college and find success in other avenues?... all in all i would hope they would stay in school and have something to rest their laurels on incase the pool thing doesn't work out... but could they be the next big thing? absolutely...
well in actuality I would have to say that John Moura is the toughest out there to beat right now for being only 15-16... in terms of maturity, ability, and stroke... he's completely at ease when he plays and rarely says 2 words... usually its scooter who is doing the barking for him...
as for josh brothers, having known him very closely i would say he is also tough but a kid now? he is 19 these days...
but what it does come down to is who has the most potential? There is always much hype around "kids" when they are up and coming but they level off and become good players... there are a millions of kid world beaters but are they going to go through with the sport or do something "silly" and go to college and find success in other avenues?... all in all i would hope they would stay in school and have something to rest their laurels on incase the pool thing doesn't work out... but could they be the next big thing? absolutely...
I have seen Ryan and Liz play, both have great potential.renard said:
You got it right!
wannaplaySOME...This is the correct approach, imo. Even with the IPT, and all the 'other' tours out there, there is still no money to be made as a poolplayer, compared to what a person who goes to college and applies their talents can earn. The IPT is heralded as the saviour, but being realistic, it means "some" money for only 150 players, out of the tens of thousands of expert (read: pro/sempro ability) poolplayers that there are out there. These tens of thousands are the cream of the crop, and most of them know better.
They have jobs, educations, families, and real lives. It is well known that the ones trying to get by gambling on pool (with no job and no education), who actually succeed at it, can probably be counted on fingers and toes. Most have nothing to show for this life of wandering. I also happen to make all my income from playing pool...but I do it teaching and performing exhibitions...things that are steady, and lucrative. I would counsel any young player to stay in school, get a good education, and play pool on the side.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
wannaplaySOME? said:
wannaplaySOME...This is the correct approach, imo. Even with the IPT, and all the 'other' tours out there, there is still no money to be made as a poolplayer, compared to what a person who goes to college and applies their talents can earn. The IPT is heralded as the saviour, but being realistic, it means "some" money for only 150 players, out of the tens of thousands of expert (read: pro/sempro ability) poolplayers that there are out there. These tens of thousands are the cream of the crop, and most of them know better.
They have jobs, educations, families, and real lives. It is well known that the ones trying to get by gambling on pool (with no job and no education), who actually succeed at it, can probably be counted on fingers and toes. Most have nothing to show for this life of wandering. I also happen to make all my income from playing pool...but I do it teaching and performing exhibitions...things that are steady, and lucrative. I would counsel any young player to stay in school, get a good education, and play pool on the side.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee said:
Good advice Scott. I always let young players know that there are many opportunites in pool, besides just being a player. Owning a room can be lucrative and doing exhibitions like Scott and particularly Mike Massey and Paul Gerni can be a nice gig too.
Other players have become cuemakers and even videographers like Pat Fleming. Suffice to say, that many who started out as players found other ways to stay in the game and make a living. Billiards can be a good business, but being a player is probably the toughest gig of all.
I always used to say that having to make the nine ball from off the end rail, for all my cash, is the hardest thing I've ever done in life. And you know what, it is!
thanks... i happen to know from experience that school = job = life is definitely the way to go,... but everything is an experience right?... pool will always remain a hobby for me, and should for most...Scott Lee said:
BTW Jack welsh from jersey showed MUCH promise as well, but just recently sold his cues in exchange for college... i couldn't be prouder...
mapman72
New member
stan shuffett said:
Stan,
Move to a place where they have regional tours. Playing in the Joss, Viking, or Planet Pool tour would be great for your son. I'm kidding (about the move) of course but I wanted to say that I've heard great things about your son and about you also. I was fortunate to have a great player as my father and he helped guide me in pool and in life. He always stressed good sportsmanship and being respectful of your opponents. For that I am eternally grateful. Keep up the good work with your son. I'm sure he will be a champion but, as I'm sure you're aware, it's more important that he turn into a great man and role model for this sport we love.
Joey
mapman72
New member
Tough to say who the toughest "kid" is right now but I'll name a few that I've seen and heard about. John Morra is a beast. Probably the best I've seen for his age and he seems to have his head together. I've heard great things about Justin Bergman but he's a little older than John (I think). There are two kids that play out of Virginia Beach. I really like Chris Futrell. This is a kid who has the makings of a champion. I believe he's 15 or maybe 16 now, but his game is already awesome. He is very cool and composed at the table, much like Richard Blarney who someone mentioned in a previous post (by the way, I like Richard a lot too), and he handles his emotions well. When the Planet Pool comes to VA and Chris is in the field, there is nobody who's a heavy favorite over him. Even Mike Davis and McCready are only slight favorites. Another kid from the beach is Curtis Coleman. Curtis plays very strong as well. I haven't had the chance to see Curtis as much as Chris, but the rumor is that Curtis plays better for the $$$ and Chris is a better tournament player.
Fast Lenny said:
His parents are both pros (Mario and Anita) and good, level-headed people. They'll make sure he doesn't go too far too fast.