We're back with a special New Year's Eve set of games. Expect a fairly heavy schedule today as we work toward 2016. I expect the tournament's main portion will be done sometime in June of 2016, with the playoffs wrapping up shortly after that. The first round is expected to end no later than a week from today. Today's first series is...
Ford Forum, Pronger: Paps v. Goatee. The silver cue gets the first series today, playing Rotation. Pronger's Paps dominated with two on the break and multiple other good shots in game 1, while Westside's Goatee didn't take advantage of the few chances she had, as Paps won 8-2 to take a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Paps had a less dominant game 2, but he still held control throughout the game, getting some good positioning late for the 8-5 win over the Rockers' Goatee, sealing the series at 2-0. Goatee had a much stronger game 3, working a big lead before Paps caught up a bit, only to stymie him and win 8-5. Paps still took the series 2-1, and his #10 ranked Rotation bid hosts the Pearl Surfers' Neopolitan at this venue in the second round.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Kavan v. Chelsea. The red cue is up for 8-ball this time. Victoria's Kavan had a six-ball run early in game 1, and nearly lost it as Eastside's Chelsea chipped back, but she struggled on the 8 and Kavan was able to pot it on his second try, giving him the win and a 1-0 lead in the series. The Sharks' Chelsea caught a break in game 2, as the Spurs' Kavan couldn't corral his last three balls, allowing Chelsea three attempts at the 8, the third of which connected to give her the win to tie the series at 1. Chelsea took the series 2-1 with a win in game 3, working a five-ball run to overcome an attack from Kavan. Chelsea, ranked #79 for 8-ball, travels to Central's Nestle's Warriors Hall to face the Warriors' Twilight in the second round.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Dani v. Cassandra. The blue cue is up for 9-ball at this time. Capital City's Dani had control with a three-ball run from the break, and then she made the kick-carom off the 5 (right rail, bottom rail, ball) to glance the 9 to the bottom left, topping Diamond's Cassandra for a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Dani had a four-ball run from the break in game 2, and while the Gems' Cassandra had a good luck at the 9, she left it short, allowing Dani a tap-in to clinch the series at 2-0. Cassandra fired back in game 3, working a five-ball run-out to grab a win. Dani, ranked #17 for 9-ball, took the series 2-1, and she will host Midnight of the Westside Rockers in the second round at this venue.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Ms. Puppy v. Paps. The blue cue stays at the table for some 8-ball. Pronger's Paps had a strategic scratch late in game 1 to stave off a five-ball run by Modernistic's Ms. Puppy, and the tactic eventually worked to sink the 8 and take a 1-0 series lead for the visitor. The Tridents' Paps tried a four-ball run in game 2, tying things up, but he couldn't get the win, as the Union's Ms. Puppy made the last two shots and tied the series at 1. Ms. Puppy nearly had game 3, but missed the 8 twice, allowing Paps to rally with a four-ball run-out and take the series 2-1. Ranked #83 for 8-ball, Paps heads to Sprint Hall in Victoria to oppose B. Chapman of the Spurs in the second round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Leonette. We're back to silver cue Rotation for this series. Pacific's Leonette built up a large lead, but illegal contact derailed her game 1, as Harrison's Twinkie II charged her way to an 8-6 win from that point on, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Specters' Twinkie II had a five-ball run-out to break a fairly even game open against the Volcanoes' Leonette, winning 8-3 on the dominant stretch to secure the series at 2-0. Leonette absolutely dominated in game 3, winning 8-1 with her final shot driving the 11 to the top right from a carom off the 8 to make it a 2-1 series. Twinkie II is ranked #12 for Rotation, and will host Shaggy of the Southridge Defenders in the second round at this venue.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Juno v. Dominic. As this series of 8-ball with the blue cue gets underway, I will announce the combination of New Year's Eve and Day games into one post. Atlantic's Dominic had a good start to game 1, but a four-ball run from Modernistic's Juno overwhelmed him, and Juno picked up a 1-0 series lead with the win on her next turn. It took awhile for game 2 to get anywhere, but the Pirates' Dominic made a huge impact with his six-ball run-out, tying the series at 1 with the Union's Juno, much to her surprise. Dominic made a five-ball run in game 3, but it came too early, and Juno used defense and persistent attacks to get the win for a 2-1 series win. Ranked #16 in 8-ball, Juno will host Leonardo of the Todavía Stills in the second round at this venue.
Apple Center, Todavía: Sierra v. Chicky Phil. The silver cue gets an appearance in 15-ball. Todavía's Sierra proved unable to hit the 4 in game 1, and this allowed Westside's Chicky Phil to bring things to a quick close two shots later with a 5-15 combination to the bottom side for the win and a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, things ended a bit more in the traditional way, as the Stills' Sierra lacked the necessary offense to avoid the four-ball run-out from the Rockers' Chicky Phil, who clinched the series at 2-0 with the win. Sierra came on strong late in game 3, but missed on the 15, allowing Chicky Phil a tap-in to sweep the series 3-0. Ranked #70 for 15-ball, Chicky Phil heads to Tysini's Cisco Arena to face Princess of the Hummingbirds in the second round.
HP Field, Eastside: Chelsea v. Sprinkles. The game is sill 15-ball, but the blue cue is up this time. Eastside's Chelsea ended up a bit unlucky to take the loss in game 1, as Capital City's Sprinkles drove a 5-9-15 combination to the top right to get the win, needing an extra carom off the cue for the 9 to get the 15 for a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Sprinkles threatened with a few looks to end the game early, but none landed, affording the Sharks' Chelsea the chance to do a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1 after game 2. Game 3 ended in embarrassment as both players got hung up on the 8. Chelsea furthered her own pain, trying to set up Sprinkles for failure, but Sprinkles got well positioned and won for a 2-1 series win. Sprinkles is ranked #96 in 15-ball, and will head to Diamond's Intel Center for a second round series with the Gems' Smokey.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Boots. New Year's Day begins with a series of 8-ball with the red cue. Southridge's Boots got away with a less-than-sharp game 1, as Freedom's Stinky scratched after he potted the 8 on a deceitful angle, allowing Boots to steal a 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Stinky blew another game with an inopportune scratch, which gave the Defenders' Boots all she needed to get the last three balls over two turns and seal the series with a win to make it 2-0. Stinky dominated in game 3, pushing the 8 close to the bottom side, which eventually induced Boots into illegally potting it, making it a 2-1 series win for her. Ranked #83 for 8-ball, Boots will travel to Del Sur to face Kirstin of the Southern Monarchs in the second round at Microsoft Center.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Goatee v. Cowzart. The red cue stays up for some 15-ball. Pearl's Cowzart struck big late in game 1, despite Westside's Goatee controlling the pace of the play early on, as things got muddied around the 14, and Cowzart made the last two balls to win and take a 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Cowzart looked solid early in game 2, and even made a double-pot of the 8 and 9 to the right corners, but struggles late derailed him, and two misses on the 15 allowed the Rockers' Goatee to step up with a rocket shot to the bottom right to tie the series at 1 with the win. Both players had good shots in game 3, keeping things highly competitive. The best shot was a perfect jump on the 7 (over the 13 and 14) by Goatee, but she left herself no line for the 8. Cowzart got the momentum late and blasted the 15 to the bottom right to win the series 2-1. Ranked #94 for 15-ball, Cowzart heads to Gillette Center in Swordpoint, facing the Blades' Stealth in the second round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Crystal v. Ruby. The silver cue gets another go for some 7-ball. Archtown's Ruby got the game 1 win in a very sharply shot match, as Queens' Crystal held her own and made it a close game, but just couldn't get a good line on the 4. Ruby took a 1-0 series lead with the win. The Arrows' Ruby took three on the break, sinking the 3 to the bottom right, the 4 to the top side, and most importantly, the 7 in the bottom side to seal the series at 2-0 with a quick win to vanquish the Flames' Crystal. Ruby had a three-ball run from the break in game 3, but it didn't matter, as Crystal positioned herself very well to achieve a four-ball run-out, highlighted by a tough bank of the 6 to the top right. Ruby won the series 2-1, and takes her #82 ranked 7-ball bid to Diamond's Intel Center to face Pedey of the Gems in the second round.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Panda v. Cassandra. These rhyming players get a series of Rotation with the red cue. Southern's Panda dazzled with a double-pot of the 4 to the bottom left off a carom from the 11, which fell in the bottom side in game 1. Despite a pair of scratches that gave Diamond's Cassandra ball-in-hand, Panda won the game 8-3 to take a 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Panda ended up regretting a scratch and his conservative play in game 2, as the Gems' Cassandra won 8-7 on a five-ball run-out, beginning by double-potting the 9 to the top side and 10 to the bottom right, and following with the 11 in the top right on a glancing kick off the right rail, leaving good position for the last two shots as she tied the series at 1. Game 3 started with Cassandra having high confidence and ended with Panda running out three balls for an 8-4 win, sealing the series at 2-1. Ranked #3 for Rotation, Panda will host Misty of the Westside Rockers at this venue in the second round.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Kavan v. Acorn. Inland we head for a Southwestern Rivalry match in 9-ball with the silver cue. Lighton's Acorn played pretty well in game 1, but missed contact on the 9 as he took it from an impossible angle, giving Victoria's Kavan ball-in-hand for the game, which he converted for a 1-0 lead in the series. The Spurs' Kavan pounded in the 5 and 6 to the top right and the 7 and 8 to the bottom right on the break, and a three-ball run on his next turn, but the Prestige's Acorn tied the series at 1 by making the last two balls for the win in game 2. Kavan and Acorn battled throughout game 3, but Kavan held the upper hand and eventually shot the last two balls to finish the game and win the series 2-1. Ranked #25 for 9-ball, Kavan hosts Ms. Puppy of the Modernistic Union in the second round from this venue.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Hoot. The red cue returns to action in 10-ball. Central's Dustin succeeded in making the 6 on a jump over the 7 toward the bottom right, but the cue ball left the table, and Pronger's Hoot used the ball-in-hand to tap-in a four-ball run-out for a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Dustin had another poorly timed scratch in game 2, right after he made the 6-8 combination to the bottom right. The leave gave the Tridents' Hoot a ball-in-hand with the 6-10 combination to the top right lined up, and he converted to secure the series at 2-0. Game 3 looked destined for a quick end from the start, and Dustin obliged, converting the 2-10 combination to the top right after Hoot missed it. Hoot still won the series 2-1, taking his #67 ranked 10-ball bid to the second round.
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Puff II v. Sprinkles. The blue cue gets a New Year's appearance in 10-ball. Capital City's Sprinkles made an excellent jump shot on the 6 with the 10 obstructing, and while Boston's Puff II made the next two, she left the 10 short for Sprinkles to tap-in for a 1-0 series lead in game 1. After a scratch by the Sharpshooters' Sprinkles in game 2, the Swifts' Puff II opted to double-pot the 5 and 6 in the bottom right instead of trying a 5-10 combination. Sprinkles nearly rallied, but Puff II was rewarded for her polite play, burying the 9 and 10 to tie the series at 1 with the win. Game 3 ended with Puff II making a late rally for the win, as Sprinkles couldn't quite seal the game after a late fall by the 6 on an uncalled Puff II shot. Ranked #16 for 10-ball, Puff II hosts Kavan of the Victoria Spurs in the second round at this venue.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Amber v. Misty. The blue cue stays at the table for its last 7-ball series in the first round. Westside's Misty made the last two balls in game 1 after Atlantic's Amber left the 6 short at the top left, and this gave Misty a fairly standard win for a 1-0 series lead. The Pirates' Amber missed on the 6 again in game 2, and the Rockers' Misty again capitalized by making the last two balls and clinching the series at 2-0. Misty had blind luck in game 3, as the cue caromed off the 3, which missed at the top side, and knocked the 7 into the bottom left for the win that made it a 3-0 sweep. Ranked #91 for 7-ball, Misty goes to Boston's Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center to face the Swifts' Sweetheart in the second round.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Kelly v. Citrus. The blue cue is taking a series of 12-ball now. Diamond's Citrus used a four-ball run to pace her game 1 attack, also surrendering a wild card ball that Viewpoint Sound's Kelly couldn't capitalize on as collateral damage as she set up her final shot, which she made a few turns later to win for a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Citrus gave up two wild card balls in game 2, but she wasn't set up for it, and the Meteors' Kelly had a three-ball run-out to seal the win and tie the series at 1. Citrus received a wild card ball in game 3, but she had to really fight for it with Kelly throughout the game, eventually getting a late edge to win as Kelly couldn't get set up. Citrus took the series 2-1, and her #67 ranked 12-ball bid heads to Archtown to face Sally of the Arrows at Starbucks Arena in the second round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake v. Smudge. The final series of the New Year's Special is 10-ball with the silver cue. Game 1 played out pretty closely, as both player made their fair share of shots, but it favored Royal's Jake just slightly in the end when he made the last two balls for a 1-0 series lead over Infinity's Smudge. The Torpedoes' Smudge had nothing left for game 2, allowing the Crowns' Jake to hold much of the possession, and he ended up with the win as well, clinching the series at 2-0. Smudge rallied to save face in game 3, using a four-ball run and a potting of the 10 on her next turn to make it only 2-1 for Jake in the end. Ranked #8 for 10-ball, Jake will host Brownie of the Harrison Specters at this venue in the second round.
I apologize for the schedule getting messed up. We're a bit off the expected pace again, due to some digital crises that needed to be handled in lieu of playing pool. The CCC is still on schedule to wrap up next week.
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