Today marks the finale of the bracket quarterfinals, ending the third round of the top tier of the Tournament. The near-future plan is for a day off tomorrow to focus on cricket, and a resumption of play beginning Tuesday. I'm expecting 7-8 game days for the bracket semifinals. Today, we begin the end of the round with...
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Americus v. Kirstin. The blue cue will lead off today in Accuracy. Atlantic's Americus had a rough start with a scratch on the break in game 1, and another miss combined with Everton's Kirstin shooting well made it look tough to recover from. Kirstin faltered with two misses at the end of regulation, and another to start overtime, allowing Americus to swerve the cue off the 14 to take the 12 at the top side for the amazing 2-3 win and a 1-0 series lead. The Pirates' Americus had a much cleaner route to the game 2 win, watching as the Eagles' Kirstin struggled early on and more in the middle, and then just staving off Kirstin's defense at the end. Americus had to make a tough cut on the 9 to seal the 2-3 win at the end, successfully doing so for the 2-0 series lead. Americus didn't have a great start in game 3, faltering early with a couple of misses. Kirstin just had to hold onto the lead, but she failed to do so, dropping three shots from the middle to the end to allow Americus another 2-3 win to clinch the series at 3-0. Americus had a good effort in game 4, but she couldn't make it stand, as a late miss forced overtime. Kirstin made a ball on the overtime break, sparking an exchange of 13 straight made shots between the players before Americus missed on the 14-9 combination to the bottom right. Kirstin won 2-3 to cut the series to 3-1. Game 5 also played out close, with Kirstin again holding a late lead before dropping the result with a miss to force overtime. This one was quicker, as Americus had a miss and a scratch to lose 3-4, giving Kirstin the win. Americus took the series 3-2, advancing to visit the Swifts' Gradley in the bracket semifinals at Boston's Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center. Kirstin is the 72nd player eliminated from the Tournament, leaving only half the field remaining, while Americus has her first kill of the year.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Dusky v. Kiwi. These two veterans bring on the silver cue for the last Accuracy series of the round. Archtown's Dusky was behind for much of game 1, but she managed to force Terrace City's Kiwi into a tie twice, the second of these forcing overtime. Kiwi couldn't get anything on the overtime break, allowing Dusky to cut in the 3 for the 4-5 win and 1-0 series lead. Game 2 went in a fairly similar pattern, although both players were stronger at the start. This was offset by a late fade, which saw the Knights' Kiwi make the third double-pot of the game to put the Arrows' Dusky on the overtime break. The strategy worked, as Dusky missed twice in overtime, and Kiwi made her second shot to win 4-5 and tie the series at 1. Kiwi had a great game going in game 3, but a late scratch caused her to fall into a tie with Dusky, whose lone miss came on a mishit ball after an attack on the top right. The tie lasted to overtime, where Dusky again saw an empty break doom her, as Kiwi struck on her first shot to win 1-2 and gain a 2-1 series lead. Kiwi had a lead in game 4, but watched it go to waste with a lot of misses in the middle and late parts of the game. Dusky could have locked the game down multiple times, but waited until the end to secure a 4-6 win to tie the series at 2. Kiwi had control for most of game 5, taking the early lead, but a couple of misses late in the game dropped her into a tie with Dusky. Kiwi made a ball on the overtime break, but her second shot let her down, and Dusky took the 2-3 win and 3-2 series with her second overtime shot for the win. Dusky advances to host the Capital City Sharpshooters' Nicole in the bracket semifinals at this venue.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Lexi. The red cue is up for 7-ball in this Northeastern Divisional. Central's Dustin made quick work in game 1, blasting the 3 and 5 into pockets on the break, and then ending his four-ball run-out with a 2-7 kick combination to the top left to defeat Harrison's Lexi for the 1-0 series lead. Lexi didn't have a shot in the game. The Warriors' Dustin didn't quite have the same effort in game 2. He did make the 1 and 5 to the left corners on the break as part of a three-ball run, but his kick on the 2 failed. The Specters' Lexi couldn't pot it either, and Dustin took off on a four-ball run-out again, getting the win with a well-positioned hit on the 7 to move into a 2-0 series lead. Lexi actually had the better share of possession in game 3, making three balls over two turns in the middle of the game, but Dustin plucked the 7 on a deflected shot off the 4, driving it to the bottom left to win the game and clinch the series at 3-0. Game 4 saw Dustin make a pair of balls on the break again, his third such effort, countered by Lexi's three-ball run immediately after. Dustin answered that by making the last two balls to get the win and a 4-0 lead in the series. Dustin closed the series as he opened it, winning game 5 with a seven-ball run-out, going two on the break and never letting Lexi shoot as he swept the series 5-0. Dustin's dominant outing takes him to a bracket semifinals date at Capital City SuperCenter against the Sharpshooters' Nicole.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Hannah v. Lexi. The silver cue will go on for 10-ball this time, to cap the visitor's road doubleheader. Royal's Hannah didn't have many runs in game 1, but she made the most of her shots when she could, including answering Harrison's Lexi's late pair with the last two balls. Hannah's high possession share helped her take the win and the 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Hannah didn't have the same pace in game 2, but her slow start didn't cost her, as the Specters' Lexi couldn't find her offense. Hannah made the 5 and 6 on a crisp double-pot to the right corners, and then made the 8 and the 10 on her next turn for the win and a 2-0 series lead. Hannah continued her surge in game 3, although Lexi made herself very present in the early parts of the game. Lexi faltered later on, and Hannah charged forward with a four-ball run-out, ending on the 8-10 combination to the bottom right to seal the series at 3-0. Lexi finally stopped the bleeding in game 4. Hannah worked a three-ball run from the break after the 3 fell late on the opening shot, but she left the 4-10 combination lined up for Lexi's only shot of the game to be a winner. Hannah still holds a 3-1 series lead despite the abrupt end to the game. Hannah didn't have her best shooting in game 5 either, but Lexi waited a few turns before the 4-10 combination again came under her control for another win. Hannah took the series 3-2, and will host another rookie, the Infinity Torpedoes' Solaris, in the bracket semifinals at this venue.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Leandra v. Ruby. Two strong club-mates meet with the silver cue for 15-ball. Tysini's Leandra combined a persistent attack on the 15 and the occasional successful shot into a winning strategy against Archtown's Ruby, who rarely had a clear look at the 15 anyway. Leandra eventually won with an 8-15 combination to the bottom right in the slow game 1, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Hummingbirds' Leandra disregarded the fact of her earlier win by changing her style completely in game 2. This led to a few runs, including two of three balls and a couple of pairs against an ineffective shooting effort from the Arrows' Ruby. At the end, Ruby missed a bank on the 15, and Leandra tapped it in to win, for a 2-0 series lead. Ruby never got a chance to save her series in game 3, as Leandra made a pair of balls on the break to spark a six-ball run-out. Leandra used the 2 as a wrecking ball to get three shots in, including the game-ending 2-15 combination to the top right that also saw the 6 fall in the bottom right as she clinched the series at 3-0. Leandra had a decent start in a less intense game 4, as there was nothing but pride left to play for. Ruby took this very seriously after Leandra scratched, choosing to shoot away from an easy combination, and the same turn saw Ruby win anyway, as her shot on the 4 sparked a five-ball run-out ending on an 8-15 combination to the top right. Ruby made it a 3-1 series with the burst. Ruby didn't have the same offense in game 5, as Leandra pieced together a five-ball run before the game turned a bit stagnant. Ruby did persist around a vulnerable 15, eventually winning with her second try at the 11-15 combination to the top right. Leandra took the series 3-2, advancing to host the Royal Crowns captain Nightfur in the bracket semifinals at this venue.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Fluffina v. Celestia. The blue cue is back in action as a veteran hosts a rookie for 9-ball. Maplewood's Fluffina seemed to have the bulk of possession in game 1, but Oceanside's Celestia stayed close and struck late to get the win. Fluffina missed the 9 on a tough cut after Celestia missed it once, and the rookie buried it the second time for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Celestia had a great four-ball run from the break in game 2, but her halfhearted attempt toward the 9 on the last shot of the run would be the last of her offense. The Lumberjacks' Fluffina chipped back over two or three turns before making the 9 to get the win and tie the series at 1 game apiece in a hard-fought victory. Fluffina continued with a massive surge of offense in game 3. She made a ball on the break, and play lulled a bit early as she and Celestia couldn't make anything. Fluffina then surged forward with a seven-ball run-out to pick up the win, gaining the series lead at 2-1 with the well-positioned stretch of shots. Game 4 proved that Celestia was not down and out yet, as she battled with Fluffina for the early shots. Neither player had a grip until Celestia started on what became a five-ball run-out, a massive turn that earned her the win and retied the series at 2. Celestia had a strong outing in game 5, but it was Fluffina who saw a final push get her onto the 9 and just deny her the victory when it stood at the top right. Celestia tapped it in for the win and the 3-2 series win, earning a trip to Google Hall in Modernistic to meet the Union captain Ms. Puppy in the bracket semifinals. Fluffina is the 73rd player to exit the Tournament so far, and Celestia earned her first kill for the effort.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Stealth v. Dani. The silver cue ends its round with some 7-ball between veterans. Web City's Dani put in a lot of offense in game 1, making the clear majority of the shots, but she missed on the 7. Swordpoint's Stealth may have struggled at times, but he left no doubt on the 7, burying it for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Blades' Stealth showed a bit more strength in game 2, keeping an even possession split for most of the game. The Spiders' Dani had a couple of nice chances to make things interesting, but Stealth got a good line on the 7 at the end and converted to push his series lead to 2-0. Game 3 saw Stealth try to keep the pace the same, but he took a slip in his offense. Dani didn't immediately capitalize on it, but at the end, she assembled a three-ball run-out, banking the 5 and 6 to the bottom side and then driving the 7 into the top left with great shot execution. This put her on the board for the series, which stands at 2-1 Stealth. Dani made a ball on the break and added another one on the next shot, but she swerved a shot away from the 2. Stealth fired back by making the 2 and then winning game 4 with a 3-7 combination that banked off the top rail, glanced off the 6, and dropped in the bottom left corner for the win. Stealth's amazing shot clinched the series at 3-1. Stealth took the bulk of the offense in game 5, but reversing the script from game 1 continued all the way at the end, where Dani poached the 7 after Stealth left it on the table. Stealth still took the series 3-2, and will host the Commerce Tradewinds' Lorde in the bracket semifinals at this venue.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Marsell v. Rosalina. One of the best overall meets one of the top rookies in 15-ball with the blue cue. Whitewater's Marsell had a strong performance in a slow-paced game 1. He did make a four-ball run in the late stages, keeping Diamond's Rosalina off-balance until Marsell could strike in the 15 on a cut to get the win and take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Gems' Rosalina make a huge adjustment, turning to a stronger pace of play with a four-ball run early and a three-ball run-out at the end. The Shores' Marsell struck back well, but a couple of scratches kept his offense tempered, and Rosalina really locked in with a viciously strong kick on the 13 to the bottom left. Rosalina's late run tied the series at 1 with her win. Marsell picked up a bit of the offense again in game 3, which had a pace between the previous two. This seemed to suit both players fairly well, but Rosalina got the benefit in the end, picking up the scraps as Marsell's late miss led Rosalina to another win and a 2-1 series lead. Rosalina didn't seem to do so well early in game 4, as the slower pace favored Marsell's style of play, but that slow pace didn't last. The two exchanged pairs of shots just after the halfway mark, and then Rosalina went on a crisp four-ball run-out of cuts to get the win and secure the series at 3-1. Game 5 went incredibly slow due to neither player having much motivation, but Rosalina picked up the pace at the end to make the last two balls for the win after Marsell's miss on the 14. Rosalina took the series 4-1, and will head to Intel Center in Diamond to host the Golden Pilots star Dusty in the bracket semifinals.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Shiny v. Sydney Sierota. The red cue closes out its duties with 8-ball for this round in a Halloween Derby battle. Web City's Shiny had to play smart even with a lead for most of game 1, as Harrison's Sydney worked to set herself up for a run. Shiny didn't make rash shots, instead allowing Sydney a late three-ball run, which didn't see the 8 fall. Shiny then made her last ball and the 8 to win, earning a tough 1-0 series lead. The Spiders' Shiny had a slow start after making nothing on the break in game 2, but the Specters' Sydney also missed on her first turn. Shiny rallied with a six-ball run, answered by Sydney's five-ball run on the next turn, and then Shiny made the last two balls to win and take a 2-0 series lead. Shiny had a near-loss in game 3 when she accidentally pushed the 8 to the edge of the top right, but it would all work out in the end. Sydney spent too much trying to get good positioning and less time making her shots, allowing Shiny to take the game on a three-ball run-out for a 3-0 lead in the series. Game 4 saw a return to fast-paced play, as Sydney worked a five-ball run on her first, and ultimately only, turn. Shiny answered right back with all eight of the balls she needed to pot, the blistering pace giving her another win and a 4-0 series lead. Game 5 went well at first for Sydney, who had a long run before her offense stagnated. This was the order of the day in the middle of the game, until Shiny broke some of the defensive struggle away. Sydney had her chance to win but missed on the 8, and Shiny wrapped the game up herself for a 5-0 series sweep. Shiny will host the Swordpoint Blades' Dreamy in the bracket semifinals at this venue.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Dustin: The round ends with the blue cue and 12-ball between these superstars. Golden's Dusty had a great start to game 1, but that would be the only good thing to happen for the rest of the game. Central's Dustin struck back a bit, but Dusty had a wild-card ball, which gave her just enough flexibility to get positioning for a sloppy win and a 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Dusty kept game 2 far more open with a four-ball run on the break, and the Warriors' Dustin shot back with a four-ball run of his own. The players then engaged in defense, with Dusty holding the positional advantage. Dusty would scratch, but this helped her get through the later stages by setting up her other shot. Dustin tried to get in position late, but Dusty tapped in her final ball a shot after removing Dustin's defense, giving Dusty the 2-0 series lead. Dusty scratched on her break for game 3, causing a very detrimental effect for the rest of the game. Dustin struck back with a four-ball run to put Dusty on her back foot the whole time, and while she got some back, Dustin just had the head start and got the win with two late tap-ins, cutting the series to 2-1. Dustin made a three-ball run on his break in game 4, getting a bit tricky with his shooting. Dusty fired back with a four-ball run, but she also gave up a critical wild-card ball, and Dustin exploited this advantage at the end. Dusty collapsed to defend the bottom side, but Dustin fired a bank on the 4 to get it in the top side for the win while Dusty remained out of position. Dustin's brilliant shot tied the series at 2. Game 5 had nothing important until both players were down to the top left. Dusty had strategically scratched to keep Dustin away from an easy win from ball-in-hand, and Dusty made it count, getting around Dustin for position and winning for the 3-2 series win. The thrilling series sees Dusty advance to the bracket semifinals to host Southridge Defenders rookie Hughbert at this venue.
That's it for today and this round. We'll have more fun and games starting on Tuesday with the Bracket Semifinals.
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