Now that the main Tournament is over, the Postseason rosters have been named. This post contains the participants for the Clan Cup and City Cup playoffs, and the games each player will be responsible for.
Clan Cup
Humanity Senior: Beth (12, A); Bryant (7, 10); Kirstin (R, 15); Chris (8, 13); Jennifer (9)
Enterprise: Fluffina (13, R); Whiskers (8, 9); Ice Cream (15); Twinkie III (7, A); Max (10, 12)
Solid Core: Leonardo (8, A); Shaggy (12); Smudge (10, 15); Frosty (7,9); Blizzard (13, R)
Oriental United: Wild Thing (7, 10); Sparkles (13, A); Chimpy (9, 12); Mams (R, 15); Stealth (8)
Youth Movement: Gradley (13, A); Bianca (7,8); Solaris (9, 15); Sierra (10, 12); Spirit (R)
Prime: Acorn (12, A); Diddley (7, 9); Easter (8); Ms. Puppy (10, 15); Sage (13, R)
Humanity Junior: Mitchell (12, 13); Sarah (7,9); Jason V. (15, A); Jason N. (8, R); Vladimir (10)
Reality: Stinky (7, 13); Missy (8, 15); Spice (12, A); Boots (9, R); Puff II (10)
City Cup
Southern Monarchs: Pounce (7, R, A); Panda (9, 10, 15); Dominic (8, 12, 13)
Pearl Surfers: Watermelon (8, 12, 13); Neopolitan (7, 9, 10); Bright (R, 15, A)
Golden Pilots: Strut (12, 13, R); Dusty (7, 8, 9); Valencia (10, 15, A)
Commerce Tradewinds: Taylor S. (7, 8, 12); Niki (13, 15, A); Rosemary (9, 10, R)
Harrison Specters: Sydney S. (10, R, 15); Lexi (8, 12, 13); Twinkie II (7, 9, A)
Modernistic Union: Puff I (7, 9, 10); Sydney C. (8, 12, 13); Daisy (R, 15, A)
Lighton Prestige: Nicole (7, 8, 9); Citrus (12, 13, A); Shiny (10, R, 15)
Archtown Arrows: A. Charlton (R, 15, A); Hoppy (7, 9, 10); Sleepy B. (8, 12, 13)
Pronger Tridents: Precious (10, R, 15); Spot (7, 9, 12); Lize (8, 13, A)
Viewpoint Sound Meteors: Dani (8, 12, 13); Hoot (R, 15, A); Princess (7, 9, 10)
Midland Predators: Shawn (8, 12, 13); Americus (7, 9, R); Kitty (10, 15, A)
Royal Crowns: Brownie (8, R, 15); Jake (7, 9, A); Cassie (10, 12, 13)
Atlantic Pirates: Delila (10, 13, R); Steven (7, 9, 15); Isabella (8, 12, A)
Queens Flames: Violetta (8, R, 15); Briana (7, 9, 10); Hannah (12, 13, A)
Pacific Volcanoes: Leonette (7, 9, 15); Cowzart (10, R, A); Twinkie I (8, 12, 13)
North Modernistic Nighthawks: Peach (R, 15, A); Cheddar (7, 9, 10); Luigi (8, 12, 13)
Monday, January 20, 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Tournament 2019 - Championship Finals
It's the last day of the regular season in Tournament play. We'll crown the nine Champions over these series, and they will have the right to compete for the Champions' Cup in the playoffs. First up...
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut (S) v. Citrus (B). Former teammates clash in the 13-ball title series. Lighton's Citrus weathered a strong early attack from Golden's Strut in game 1. Citrus then unleashed a perfect six-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Citrus had a bad break in game 2 and couldn't gain much momentum later. It was her missed contact that led to the Pilots' Strut setting up and winning on the 8 at the bottom left on consecutive turns. This tied the series at 1. Citrus and Strut battled in a painfully slow game 3, with both players making mistakes and missing shots. Near the end, Citrus made a great effort to get positioning on her last solid at the top side, but her attempt on the 8 ended without contact. Strut then made a pair for the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Citrus bounced back after Strut started game 4 by overfilling the top right. Citrus made a big run early on and added a savvy shot on the 7 to sneak it behind the 8 at the bottom right. Citrus then put the 8 in the same place for the win to retie the series at 2. Citrus didn't have a ton of early success in game 5, as Strut seemed to do a bit better initially. Citrus then got control on solids and won after Strut missed contact, giving Citrus a 3-2 series lead. Strut, in desperation early in game 6, kept the 8 as a defensive presence at the top side. Citrus couldn't work around it, and she did have much other positioning, so Strut picked up the win to even the series once more at 3. Strut did all he could in game 7, even pushing Citrus out of position at the top left, but he accidentally made her last ball for her. Citrus then buried the 8 to the top side for the 4-3 series win. Citrus is off to the Tournament of Champions with her fourth kill, while Strut is the 164th eliminated player and the Pilots are the 23rd eliminated team.
Intel Center, Diamond: Leonardo (S) v. Lorde (B). The second series of Championship day is in Accuracy. Game 1 saw Capital City's Lorde slip behind, Diamond's Leonardo fall into a tie after missed contact, and then Lorde miss on the last ball. Leonardo won 2-3 and took a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Leonardo had a much less pleasant time in game 2, as he missed a couple of shots, and the Sharpshooters' Lorde held him down with a 0-2 win. Lorde's perfect effort tied the series at 1. Game 3 saw Leonardo holding a late lead after spending most of it tied, but he missed on the last ball. Leonardo then scratched on the overtime break, and Lorde notched the 2-3 win for a 2-1 series lead. Lorde scratched on the break and again later in a messy game 4 showing that allowed Leonardo to notch a 1-4 win. Leonardo's victory tied the series at 2 and gave the host a little momentum. Leonardo didn't have the cleanest play early in game 5, and Lorde took advantage of it, securing a 2-3 win to regain the series lead at 3-2. Lorde had two balls on the break and led for much of game 6, but a scratch at the end left Leonardo to grab the 4-5 win without needing overtime. The series is tied at 3 heading into a decisive finale. Leonardo trailed for most of game 7, but the end left it to fall either way. Lorde unraveled on the final turns, and Leonardo ended up winning the game 4-5 and the series 4-3. Leonardo is off to the Tournament of Champions after his third kill. Lorde is the 165th eliminated player, and the Sharpshooters are the 24th team out of the battle.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. (S) v. Cubby (B). We're onto 7-ball with the most skill-divided pairing in the round. Commerce's Taylor S. didn't look comfortable in game 1, while Eastside's Cubby made a four-ball run early. At the end, Cubby scratched while making the 7, gifting Taylor S. the win and 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the players got to late game quickly, but the Tradewinds' Taylor S. was shaky from the 6 on. The Sharks' Cubby ended up with a win he probably shouldn't have, tying the series at 1. Cubby was the one to make a late mistake in game 3, scratching on his cut attempt at the 7. Taylor S. won another sloppy game from ball-in-hand, restoring her series lead at 2-1. Taylor S. rallied with a three-ball run early in game 4, but Cubby picked up the win with a 4-7 combination banked off the edge of the top side to land in the bottom side. The series is tied again at 2. Cubby scratched on the break in game 5, allowing Taylor S. to set the tone again. She did well on her first turn, but it was Cubby's shaky ending that allowed Taylor S. to cut the 7 to the top right for the win and 3-2 lead. For the first time, Taylor S. won consecutive games as she potted a three-ball run-out capped by a bank of the 7 to the top left to end game 6. This sealed the series at 4-2 over Cubby. Taylor S. finally outright dominated game 7, with a three-ball break and a 6-7 combination at the end to win 5-2. Taylor S. punched her ticket to the Tournament of Champions, and she's up to 12 kills by making Cubby the 166th eliminated player while the Sharks are the 25th team to fall.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Roxy (S) v. Taylor S. (B). In 12-ball, the visitor completes a personal doubleheader. Freedom's Roxy surrendered a wild-card ball on the game 1 break, but Commerce's Taylor S. took too long with her positioning. Roxy made a three-ball run-out for the win to pull ahead 1-0 in the series. The Cascades' Roxy held defense at the top right for a little too long, as the Tradewinds' Taylor S. worked behind her near the end and made pair of shots for the win to tie the series at 1. Taylor S. struck on the break in game 3 and got a little help as Roxy gave away a wild-card ball on the first shot. Taylor S. then played cautiously, nearly allowing Roxy to tally before Taylor S. ended victorious at the top left. Taylor S. holds a 2-1 series lead. Taylor S. made a bad decision to switch suits in game 4. Roxy had no trouble with stripes with the advantage of a wild-card ball, taking the win to retie the series at 2. Taylor S. showed MVP-level talent in game 5, letting Roxy clear up some space on the table at first before responding with a perfect six-ball run-out. Taylor S. leads the series again at 3-2. Taylor S. finished it off with a big push in game 6, pulling ahead of Roxy, who spent most of the game battling for positioning. Roxy came close on a late attempt, but Taylor S. knocked in her last ball to clinch the series at 4-2. Taylor S. ceded a wild-card ball again in game 7, but she overcame the deficit as Roxy missed contact on her last ball. Taylor S. won the series 5-2, locking up the top seed in the officially eight-player Tournament of Champions. Taylor S. has 13 kills, with Roxy the 167th eliminated player and the Cascades as the 26th team out of action.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Brownie (B) v. Shiny (R). A Rivalry series goes in Rotation to mark the midpoint of the day. Royal's Brownie had a good start in game 1, but after she missed contact on the 9, Lighton's Shiny rallied to win on a four-ball run-out for the 8-5 final score. Shiny leads the series 1-0. The Crowns' Brownie scrapped with the Prestige's Shiny in the early stages of game 2, keeping things close for quite awhile. Shiny got ahead later, and she was able to close out an 8-6 win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Brownie had a bit of a jump in game 3, giving her a slight edge in the attack to get the 8-6 win with a pair of shots at the end. Shiny remains ahead 2-1 in the series. Shiny shook off the loss very quickly, using a four-ball run and a three-ball run-out in game 4 to sink Brownie by an 8-1 score. Shiny pushed her series lead to 3-1. Brownie wasn't ready to exit competition yet, controlling game 5 amid a tough start. Shiny made herself a nuisance, but her illegal contact on the 14 opened the door for Brownie to rip a four-ball run-out for the 8-2 win. Brownie trails 3-2 in the series. Brownie decided to get most of her offense early in game 6, leaving Shiny to scramble in an attempt to get back in the game. Brownie slammed the door at 8-3 this time, her win tying the series at 3. Brownie completed the comeback in epic form, winning by an 8-2 score again as Shiny never gained traction in game 7. Brownie took the series 4-3 to get into the Tournament of Champions on her fourth kill. Shiny is the 168th eliminated player.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Panda (B) v. Cheddar (S). More club rivals collide in 9-ball. North Modernistic's Cheddar pulled off an impressive three-ball run in the middle of game 1, but Southern's Panda won on a three-ball run-out. Panda owns the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Monarchs' Panda start with a three-ball run. The Nighthawks' Cheddar later had a three-ball run of her own after Panda committed a foul, but she missed on the 9. Panda picked it off for the win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Cheddar challenged a bit early in game 3, but her scratch around the middle of the game would spell doom. Panda rattled off a four-ball run-out from ball-in-hand, ending with a 7-9 combination to the bottom right to stretch his series lead to 3-0. Panda left no doubt as to the winner of the series, sending the 9 to the top right on the break in game 4 to secure the series at 4-0 as Cheddar watched on. Cheddar had control of the offense in game 5, making at least seven balls, but she missed on the 9. Panda poached the win at the bottom right, pushing his advantage to 5-0 as the crowd remains raucous for their longtime captain. Cheddar scratched at the end of a three-ball run in game 6, and Panda antagonized her with a 5-9 combination to the top right from ball-in-hand. Panda converted to make it a 6-0 series lead. Panda tried to be creative a bit in game 7, but he would end up missing contact on the 5. Cheddar took her lone win via 5-9 combination to the top right, leaving Panda to advance to the Tournament of Champions on a 6-1 series win. Panda got his third kill while Cheddar is the 169th player to exit the Tournament.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: A. Charlton (B) v. Shadow (S). We're onto 15-ball between strong opponents. Diamond's Shadow had plenty of offense in game 1, but his late four-ball run ended with the 15 left short of the top right. Archtown's A. Charlton buried it for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Shadow had a more difficult time keeping his shots legal in game 2. Often, he fouled, but it was a simple miss near the end of game 2 that sparked the Arrows' Charlton for her four-ball run-out. Charlton has commanded a 2-0 series lead. Charlton tried to keep control late in game 3, but the pacey back-and-forth evaded her after a miss on the 12. Shadow knocked in a three-ball run-out for the win to cut Charlton's series lead to 2-1. Shadow took a late potshot at the 12-15 combination in game 4, but it wouldn't fall for him. Instead, Charlton cleaned up the same shot at the top right for the win to push her series lead to 3-1 after a tight battle. Charlton didn't have much happiness in game 5, as Shadow got a lucky bounce on his third pass-by the 11 to cut it to the bottom right. This extended his eventual eight-ball run-out, which earned him the win to cut the series to 3-2. Shadow looked ready to break out on another big run throughout game 6, but it never came about. He missed on the 15 to the bottom right at the end, and Charlton knocked it in to secure the series at 4-2. Game 7 went a little bit slowly as neither player had the energy left to compete. Charlton ended up with the win on a late surge to take the series 5-2, sending her into the Tournament of Champions on her fourth kill, while Shadow is the 170th player to exit the competition.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Oreo (B) v. Watermelon (R). The second-to-last series is the 8-ball Championship. Pearl's Watermelon struck early and often in game 1, although a five-ball run from Terrace City's Oreo made the end interesting. Oreo backed off with a scratch, and Watermelon got the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Knights' Oreo had the initial attack in game 2, holding a fairly noticeable lead for awhile. The Surfers' Watermelon didn't like that, flipping the script with an eight-ball run-out for the win to push her advantage to 2-0. Watermelon made a pair of stripes on the break and added a three-ball run-out at the end of game 3, extending her series lead to 3-0 as Oreo failed to counter effectively. Oreo got deep into game 4 with just one ball remaining, but she couldn't get a good look at it. Watermelon ended up with a five-ball run-out to complete the comeback for the win that sealed the series at 4-0. Oreo had a three-ball run going early in game 5, but the deflection off her potting the 9 sent the 8 prematurely to the top left, gifting Watermelon the win for a 5-0 advantage in the series. Watermelon had the lead in game 6, but her attempt to dig the 1 out of a bad position led to the 8 going down early. Oreo will take the gifted win, which shrank Watermelon's series lead to 5-1. Watermelon capped off the series in good form, capitalizing when Oreo couldn't bank the 8 to the top left legally at the end of game 7. Watermelon won the series 6-1 and will head to the Tournament of Champions after taking her third kill. Oreo is the 171st eliminated player, and the Knights are the 27th team to fall.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Precious (R) v. Lionel (B). Closing out Championship day, we have 10-ball. North Modernistic's Lionel was excellent on offense, but he whiffed his shot at the 10 toward the top right at the end of game 1. Pronger's Precious tapped it down for the 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Lionel had a slight edge in possession in game 2, but his shot on the 9 rattled out of the top left. The Tridents' Precious made the 9 on a bank to the top side, and then put the 10 in the top right for the win to extend her advantage to 2-0. Precious continued to struggle with errors early in game 3. Lionel ripped a four-ball run and then sparred for the rest of the game, snagging the 10 at the top side when Precious couldn't cut it. Precious remains ahead 2-1 in the series. In game 4, neither player seemed very confident. Precious eventually found a three-ball run, but both players would miss on the 10 before she could sink it at the top left. Precious is now on the cusp of advancing with a 3-1 series lead. Lionel took over the offense with a seven-ball run in game 5, but he missed twice late, and Precious was able to steal the win that clinched the series at 4-1. Precious put a little more effort into her offense in game 6, battling with Lionel early on before ripping a four-ball run-out for another win at the end. Precious is up to a 5-1 lead in the series. Precious finished off game 7 in great form with a five-ball run-out, putting Lionel out as the 172nd and final eliminated player. Precious' 6-1 series win earned her a fifth kill and made the Nighthawks the 28th and final team to be ousted.
More details will follow after administrative tasks are done, but I'm expecting to play the Tournament of Champions no later than Thursday, with the rest of the postseason following that.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut (S) v. Citrus (B). Former teammates clash in the 13-ball title series. Lighton's Citrus weathered a strong early attack from Golden's Strut in game 1. Citrus then unleashed a perfect six-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Citrus had a bad break in game 2 and couldn't gain much momentum later. It was her missed contact that led to the Pilots' Strut setting up and winning on the 8 at the bottom left on consecutive turns. This tied the series at 1. Citrus and Strut battled in a painfully slow game 3, with both players making mistakes and missing shots. Near the end, Citrus made a great effort to get positioning on her last solid at the top side, but her attempt on the 8 ended without contact. Strut then made a pair for the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Citrus bounced back after Strut started game 4 by overfilling the top right. Citrus made a big run early on and added a savvy shot on the 7 to sneak it behind the 8 at the bottom right. Citrus then put the 8 in the same place for the win to retie the series at 2. Citrus didn't have a ton of early success in game 5, as Strut seemed to do a bit better initially. Citrus then got control on solids and won after Strut missed contact, giving Citrus a 3-2 series lead. Strut, in desperation early in game 6, kept the 8 as a defensive presence at the top side. Citrus couldn't work around it, and she did have much other positioning, so Strut picked up the win to even the series once more at 3. Strut did all he could in game 7, even pushing Citrus out of position at the top left, but he accidentally made her last ball for her. Citrus then buried the 8 to the top side for the 4-3 series win. Citrus is off to the Tournament of Champions with her fourth kill, while Strut is the 164th eliminated player and the Pilots are the 23rd eliminated team.
Intel Center, Diamond: Leonardo (S) v. Lorde (B). The second series of Championship day is in Accuracy. Game 1 saw Capital City's Lorde slip behind, Diamond's Leonardo fall into a tie after missed contact, and then Lorde miss on the last ball. Leonardo won 2-3 and took a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Leonardo had a much less pleasant time in game 2, as he missed a couple of shots, and the Sharpshooters' Lorde held him down with a 0-2 win. Lorde's perfect effort tied the series at 1. Game 3 saw Leonardo holding a late lead after spending most of it tied, but he missed on the last ball. Leonardo then scratched on the overtime break, and Lorde notched the 2-3 win for a 2-1 series lead. Lorde scratched on the break and again later in a messy game 4 showing that allowed Leonardo to notch a 1-4 win. Leonardo's victory tied the series at 2 and gave the host a little momentum. Leonardo didn't have the cleanest play early in game 5, and Lorde took advantage of it, securing a 2-3 win to regain the series lead at 3-2. Lorde had two balls on the break and led for much of game 6, but a scratch at the end left Leonardo to grab the 4-5 win without needing overtime. The series is tied at 3 heading into a decisive finale. Leonardo trailed for most of game 7, but the end left it to fall either way. Lorde unraveled on the final turns, and Leonardo ended up winning the game 4-5 and the series 4-3. Leonardo is off to the Tournament of Champions after his third kill. Lorde is the 165th eliminated player, and the Sharpshooters are the 24th team out of the battle.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. (S) v. Cubby (B). We're onto 7-ball with the most skill-divided pairing in the round. Commerce's Taylor S. didn't look comfortable in game 1, while Eastside's Cubby made a four-ball run early. At the end, Cubby scratched while making the 7, gifting Taylor S. the win and 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the players got to late game quickly, but the Tradewinds' Taylor S. was shaky from the 6 on. The Sharks' Cubby ended up with a win he probably shouldn't have, tying the series at 1. Cubby was the one to make a late mistake in game 3, scratching on his cut attempt at the 7. Taylor S. won another sloppy game from ball-in-hand, restoring her series lead at 2-1. Taylor S. rallied with a three-ball run early in game 4, but Cubby picked up the win with a 4-7 combination banked off the edge of the top side to land in the bottom side. The series is tied again at 2. Cubby scratched on the break in game 5, allowing Taylor S. to set the tone again. She did well on her first turn, but it was Cubby's shaky ending that allowed Taylor S. to cut the 7 to the top right for the win and 3-2 lead. For the first time, Taylor S. won consecutive games as she potted a three-ball run-out capped by a bank of the 7 to the top left to end game 6. This sealed the series at 4-2 over Cubby. Taylor S. finally outright dominated game 7, with a three-ball break and a 6-7 combination at the end to win 5-2. Taylor S. punched her ticket to the Tournament of Champions, and she's up to 12 kills by making Cubby the 166th eliminated player while the Sharks are the 25th team to fall.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Roxy (S) v. Taylor S. (B). In 12-ball, the visitor completes a personal doubleheader. Freedom's Roxy surrendered a wild-card ball on the game 1 break, but Commerce's Taylor S. took too long with her positioning. Roxy made a three-ball run-out for the win to pull ahead 1-0 in the series. The Cascades' Roxy held defense at the top right for a little too long, as the Tradewinds' Taylor S. worked behind her near the end and made pair of shots for the win to tie the series at 1. Taylor S. struck on the break in game 3 and got a little help as Roxy gave away a wild-card ball on the first shot. Taylor S. then played cautiously, nearly allowing Roxy to tally before Taylor S. ended victorious at the top left. Taylor S. holds a 2-1 series lead. Taylor S. made a bad decision to switch suits in game 4. Roxy had no trouble with stripes with the advantage of a wild-card ball, taking the win to retie the series at 2. Taylor S. showed MVP-level talent in game 5, letting Roxy clear up some space on the table at first before responding with a perfect six-ball run-out. Taylor S. leads the series again at 3-2. Taylor S. finished it off with a big push in game 6, pulling ahead of Roxy, who spent most of the game battling for positioning. Roxy came close on a late attempt, but Taylor S. knocked in her last ball to clinch the series at 4-2. Taylor S. ceded a wild-card ball again in game 7, but she overcame the deficit as Roxy missed contact on her last ball. Taylor S. won the series 5-2, locking up the top seed in the officially eight-player Tournament of Champions. Taylor S. has 13 kills, with Roxy the 167th eliminated player and the Cascades as the 26th team out of action.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Brownie (B) v. Shiny (R). A Rivalry series goes in Rotation to mark the midpoint of the day. Royal's Brownie had a good start in game 1, but after she missed contact on the 9, Lighton's Shiny rallied to win on a four-ball run-out for the 8-5 final score. Shiny leads the series 1-0. The Crowns' Brownie scrapped with the Prestige's Shiny in the early stages of game 2, keeping things close for quite awhile. Shiny got ahead later, and she was able to close out an 8-6 win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Brownie had a bit of a jump in game 3, giving her a slight edge in the attack to get the 8-6 win with a pair of shots at the end. Shiny remains ahead 2-1 in the series. Shiny shook off the loss very quickly, using a four-ball run and a three-ball run-out in game 4 to sink Brownie by an 8-1 score. Shiny pushed her series lead to 3-1. Brownie wasn't ready to exit competition yet, controlling game 5 amid a tough start. Shiny made herself a nuisance, but her illegal contact on the 14 opened the door for Brownie to rip a four-ball run-out for the 8-2 win. Brownie trails 3-2 in the series. Brownie decided to get most of her offense early in game 6, leaving Shiny to scramble in an attempt to get back in the game. Brownie slammed the door at 8-3 this time, her win tying the series at 3. Brownie completed the comeback in epic form, winning by an 8-2 score again as Shiny never gained traction in game 7. Brownie took the series 4-3 to get into the Tournament of Champions on her fourth kill. Shiny is the 168th eliminated player.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Panda (B) v. Cheddar (S). More club rivals collide in 9-ball. North Modernistic's Cheddar pulled off an impressive three-ball run in the middle of game 1, but Southern's Panda won on a three-ball run-out. Panda owns the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Monarchs' Panda start with a three-ball run. The Nighthawks' Cheddar later had a three-ball run of her own after Panda committed a foul, but she missed on the 9. Panda picked it off for the win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Cheddar challenged a bit early in game 3, but her scratch around the middle of the game would spell doom. Panda rattled off a four-ball run-out from ball-in-hand, ending with a 7-9 combination to the bottom right to stretch his series lead to 3-0. Panda left no doubt as to the winner of the series, sending the 9 to the top right on the break in game 4 to secure the series at 4-0 as Cheddar watched on. Cheddar had control of the offense in game 5, making at least seven balls, but she missed on the 9. Panda poached the win at the bottom right, pushing his advantage to 5-0 as the crowd remains raucous for their longtime captain. Cheddar scratched at the end of a three-ball run in game 6, and Panda antagonized her with a 5-9 combination to the top right from ball-in-hand. Panda converted to make it a 6-0 series lead. Panda tried to be creative a bit in game 7, but he would end up missing contact on the 5. Cheddar took her lone win via 5-9 combination to the top right, leaving Panda to advance to the Tournament of Champions on a 6-1 series win. Panda got his third kill while Cheddar is the 169th player to exit the Tournament.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: A. Charlton (B) v. Shadow (S). We're onto 15-ball between strong opponents. Diamond's Shadow had plenty of offense in game 1, but his late four-ball run ended with the 15 left short of the top right. Archtown's A. Charlton buried it for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Shadow had a more difficult time keeping his shots legal in game 2. Often, he fouled, but it was a simple miss near the end of game 2 that sparked the Arrows' Charlton for her four-ball run-out. Charlton has commanded a 2-0 series lead. Charlton tried to keep control late in game 3, but the pacey back-and-forth evaded her after a miss on the 12. Shadow knocked in a three-ball run-out for the win to cut Charlton's series lead to 2-1. Shadow took a late potshot at the 12-15 combination in game 4, but it wouldn't fall for him. Instead, Charlton cleaned up the same shot at the top right for the win to push her series lead to 3-1 after a tight battle. Charlton didn't have much happiness in game 5, as Shadow got a lucky bounce on his third pass-by the 11 to cut it to the bottom right. This extended his eventual eight-ball run-out, which earned him the win to cut the series to 3-2. Shadow looked ready to break out on another big run throughout game 6, but it never came about. He missed on the 15 to the bottom right at the end, and Charlton knocked it in to secure the series at 4-2. Game 7 went a little bit slowly as neither player had the energy left to compete. Charlton ended up with the win on a late surge to take the series 5-2, sending her into the Tournament of Champions on her fourth kill, while Shadow is the 170th player to exit the competition.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Oreo (B) v. Watermelon (R). The second-to-last series is the 8-ball Championship. Pearl's Watermelon struck early and often in game 1, although a five-ball run from Terrace City's Oreo made the end interesting. Oreo backed off with a scratch, and Watermelon got the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Knights' Oreo had the initial attack in game 2, holding a fairly noticeable lead for awhile. The Surfers' Watermelon didn't like that, flipping the script with an eight-ball run-out for the win to push her advantage to 2-0. Watermelon made a pair of stripes on the break and added a three-ball run-out at the end of game 3, extending her series lead to 3-0 as Oreo failed to counter effectively. Oreo got deep into game 4 with just one ball remaining, but she couldn't get a good look at it. Watermelon ended up with a five-ball run-out to complete the comeback for the win that sealed the series at 4-0. Oreo had a three-ball run going early in game 5, but the deflection off her potting the 9 sent the 8 prematurely to the top left, gifting Watermelon the win for a 5-0 advantage in the series. Watermelon had the lead in game 6, but her attempt to dig the 1 out of a bad position led to the 8 going down early. Oreo will take the gifted win, which shrank Watermelon's series lead to 5-1. Watermelon capped off the series in good form, capitalizing when Oreo couldn't bank the 8 to the top left legally at the end of game 7. Watermelon won the series 6-1 and will head to the Tournament of Champions after taking her third kill. Oreo is the 171st eliminated player, and the Knights are the 27th team to fall.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Precious (R) v. Lionel (B). Closing out Championship day, we have 10-ball. North Modernistic's Lionel was excellent on offense, but he whiffed his shot at the 10 toward the top right at the end of game 1. Pronger's Precious tapped it down for the 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Lionel had a slight edge in possession in game 2, but his shot on the 9 rattled out of the top left. The Tridents' Precious made the 9 on a bank to the top side, and then put the 10 in the top right for the win to extend her advantage to 2-0. Precious continued to struggle with errors early in game 3. Lionel ripped a four-ball run and then sparred for the rest of the game, snagging the 10 at the top side when Precious couldn't cut it. Precious remains ahead 2-1 in the series. In game 4, neither player seemed very confident. Precious eventually found a three-ball run, but both players would miss on the 10 before she could sink it at the top left. Precious is now on the cusp of advancing with a 3-1 series lead. Lionel took over the offense with a seven-ball run in game 5, but he missed twice late, and Precious was able to steal the win that clinched the series at 4-1. Precious put a little more effort into her offense in game 6, battling with Lionel early on before ripping a four-ball run-out for another win at the end. Precious is up to a 5-1 lead in the series. Precious finished off game 7 in great form with a five-ball run-out, putting Lionel out as the 172nd and final eliminated player. Precious' 6-1 series win earned her a fifth kill and made the Nighthawks the 28th and final team to be ousted.
More details will follow after administrative tasks are done, but I'm expecting to play the Tournament of Champions no later than Thursday, with the rest of the postseason following that.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Tournament 2019 - Preliminary Finals
We're set to begin the best-of-seven series that compose the finals. First up, we have battles between the finalists that didn't earn byes today. The host's preferred cue will be used in each series. Leading off...
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Shiny (R) v. Dreamy (S). Southwestern rivals kick off today's action in Rotation. Lighton's Shiny had a strong start in game 1, but Swordpoint's Dreamy rallied back by making the last five balls for an 8-4 win and 1-0 series lead. The Blades' Dreamy kept the momentum in game 2, taking a huge lead early on. The Prestige's Shiny had a minor counterattack, but Dreamy was not threatened in her 8-3 win that pushed her series lead to 2-0. Dreamy continued her front-running habits in game 3, but this time, Shiny mounted a successful comeback. Shiny wound up winning 8-6 to cut the series to 2-1. In game 4, Shiny never really fell behind. Dreamy kept it close at first, but Shiny surged forward on a four-ball run-out for the 8-4 win to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Shiny turned up the defense in game 5, keeping Dreamy stuck in bad positions throughout. Shiny was given free reign to attack, and she won 8-0, pulling ahead in the series for the first time at 3-2. Shiny surged again early in game 6, and while Dreamy got some of it back, it wasn't enough. Shiny went on to win 8-2 and clinched the series at 4-2 in the process. Dreamy got one back at the end by winning game 7 on an 8-3 result. Shiny earned her spot in the Championship Finals against the Royal Crowns' Brownie. Dreamy is the 156th eliminated player and the fourth to fall to Shiny, while the Blades are also the 19th eliminated team.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Lionel (B) v. Mams (S). The second series is in 10-ball. North Modernistic's Lionel came out on fire in game 1, but Southern's Mams doused him with a four-ball run-out at the end for the early 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Mams followed up with a seven-ball run from the break, including making the 10 illegally. At the end, she had a missed on the 8, and the Nighthawks' Lionel made the last two shots for the win to tie the series at 1. Mams continued to show strength early on with big attacks, but her scratch on the 8 would be her downfall in game 3. Lionel again potted the final pair for the win that put him ahead 2-1 in the series. Mams faded in her quality in game 4, missing some shots and scratching near the end. Lionel wasn't sharp either, but he did enough to win, extending his series lead to 3-1. Mams kept herself in it for now with a late four-ball run-out, which saw her win with a deflection off the 8 to bump the 10 to the top right. Lionel remains ahead 3-2 in the series after game 5. Lionel cranked a five-ball run early in game 6, but Mams fired right back with a five-ball run-out, including a kick to tap in the 10 at the top right. The series is tied at 3, heading into a decisive finale. Game 7 packed as much drama and tension as the rest of the series, with Lionel pulling off a four-ball run-out at the end to advance on the 4-3 series win. He'll face Pronger Tridents captain Precious in the Championship Finals. Mams is the 157th eliminated player, while Lionel is up to four kills.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. (S) v. Watermelon (R). In 8-ball, two MVP front-runners meet. Pearl's Watermelon led off game 1 on a five-ball run. Commerce's Taylor S. responded with a six-ball run abbreviated by a scratch, and Watermelon struck back for three more shots to get the win and 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Watermelon did not back down in game 2, while the Tradewinds' Taylor S. could barely make a shot. This led to a lopsided frame, as Watermelon easily stomped to a 2-0 lead in the series. Watermelon had a tougher time keeping her shots strong in game 3, but Taylor S. missed on the 8 twice before Watermelon was able to corral it for another win. Watermelon is on the verge of advancing with a 3-0 series lead. Taylor S. avoided the sweep in game 4, keeping Watermelon in bad positioning for the late-game. Taylor S. then picked her way to a win to cut the deficit to 3-1. Watermelon staved off the threat from Taylor S. in game 5. Both players started hot, but Watermelon sustained the effort longer for the win to secure the series at 4-1. Taylor S. played well in game 6, but Watermelon pulled ahead with a late four-ball run. On the next turn, Watermelon knocked in the 8 for the win to push ahead to 5-1 in the series. Watermelon struggled through most of game 7, but a five-ball run made it close at the end. Taylor S. buried a pair for the win, with Watermelon advancing on a 5-2 series win. In the Championship Finals, Watermelon will visit the Terrace City Knights' Oreo.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Hoot (R) v. Shadow (S). We've got 15-ball here. No shortage of creativity occurred in game 1, especially with Viewpoint Sound's Hoot at the table. Diamond's Shadow tried to play straightforward, but Hoot had a little more luck in earning the win and 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Hoot continued to play freely in game 2, notching a six-ball run until his miss on the 12. From there, the Gems' Shadow produced a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series at 1. Shadow had arguably one of the top-ten breaks of all time in game 3, dropping five balls to four different pockets. He would alternate offense with Hoot over the rest of the abbreviated battle, with Shadow pulling off the win to move ahead 2-1 in the series at the end. Shadow didn't have the same explosiveness off the game 4 break, forcing the players to battle a bit early on. Hoot had his chances, but Shadow found a five-ball run-out at the end to get the win and 3-1 lead in the series. Hoot continued to try to play creatively in game 5, but the creeping sense of desperation threw him off his game. Shadow was steady as ever, using good positioning and choppy attacks to eventually make four of the last five balls for the win. Shadow sealed the series at 4-1. Shadow took the edge off his play in game 6, still contributing plenty of offense but not sweating the little details as much. Hoot used that to his advantage and won on a four-ball run-out to cut the series to 4-2. Shadow kept shooting well in game 7, but Hoot took this win early as well with a deflection off the 6 to bump the 15 to the top right. Shadow settled for a 4-3 series win to get him into the Championship Finals against the Archtown Arrows' A. Charlton. Hoot is the 158th player to be eliminated, and Shadow has two kills.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Niki (R) v. Taylor S. (B). The Tradewinds are assured of one player in the title series of 12-ball. An ugly start to game 1 saw both players commit illegal contact on their first turns. Eventually, Taylor S. got the lead, although Niki used defense to slow her teammate. Taylor S. eventually capitalized on Niki's late error to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, Niki executed a perfect stitch pattern with a five-ball run-out to get the win. Taylor S. had left decent defense up, but Niki wove through it to tie the series at 1. Niki had a good start to game 3, but Taylor S. kept things close throughout the game. Niki will regret missing at the top right so many times, as it bought Taylor S. enough turns to get the win at the top side. Taylor S. regained the series lead at 2-1. Taylor S. appeared in control with a pair on the game 4 break, but positioning favored Niki this time. At the end, Niki made a three-ball run-out to get by Taylor S. for the win that retied the series at 2. Taylor S. had a good start again in game 5, but the finish was very tense. Niki managed a five-ball run and nearly came all the way back as the 15 hung on the edge of the bottom right. Taylor S. then made a pair for the win, restoring her series lead at 3-2. Taylor S. made a ball on the break in game 6, but slow positioning and missed contact near the end cost her the series lead again. Niki made a pair of shots late to even the series at 3 games each. Taylor S. defended well after an early four-ball run in game 7, leaving Niki to play desperately. Taylor S. easily held her off for the win and 4-3 series win to get the to Championship Finals against the Freedom Cascades' Roxy. Taylor S. is up to 11 kills after this bout of friendly fire, while Niki is the 159th eliminated player.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally (R) v. Cheddar (S). Two tough opponents clash in 9-ball this time. North Modernistic's Cheddar closed game 1 on a three-ball run-out, washing out the slow start that plagued both her play and Archtown's Sally as well. Cheddar owns a 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Cheddar tried to keep things lively in game 2, but it was the Arrows' Sally missing the 4 on a bank but deflecting the cue to take the 9 at the bottom right that made it interesting. Sally's inadvertent win tied the series at 1. Game 3 saw another bout of sporadic offense early on. Cheddar seemed a little stronger, and she was rewarded as her awkward kick on the 6 deflected the 9 into the bottom side to restore her series lead over Sally at 2-1. Game 4 saw continued struggles with shot form and placement. The end was especially painful as both players chased the 9 around. Sally eventually prevailed by rattling the 9 out of the bottom right and into the bottom left to retie the series at 2, but she and Cheddar had countless other misses. Game 5 was perhaps the most normal yet in the series. Sally had her share of offense, but once again she fell behind Cheddar, who won on a three-ball run-out for the 3-2 series lead. Sally had a four-ball run over the middle of game 6, but it wouldn't pay off. Sally rattled the 8 out of the top left, and Cheddar converted the final pair of shots for the win to clinch the series at 4-2. Cheddar left no doubt in game 7, ripping another three-ball run-out to grab the win, officially defeat Sally 5-2 in the series. Cheddar will meet Southern Monarchs captain Panda in the Championship Finals. Sally is the 160th play to exit Tournament play, while Cheddar earned her fourth kill of the season.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Lorde (B) v. Gradley (R). Accuracy is next on the schedule. Capital City's Lorde showed Boston's Gradley no mercy in her 0-2 win in game 1; Lorde's perfect play led her to a 1-0 series lead and a boatload of confidence. The Sharpshooters' Lorde slipped a little bit in game 2 and even trailed for awhile, but the Swifts' Gradley made a couple of late mistakes, allowing Lorde to win 2-3. Lorde's series lead is up to 2-0. Lorde finally bit one in game 3, taking just a single miss but watching as Gradley played perfectly in a 0-1 win. Gradley's victory cut Lorde's advantage to 2-1, setting up a tight end to the rest of the series. Gradley couldn't sustain that positive play into game 4, as he unraveled following a double-pot. Lorde held strong until the end, scratching late but doing enough to earn the 2-3 win that boosted her series lead to 3-1. Gradley and Lorde put on another big battle throughout game 5, but it didn't work for Gradley when he collapsed near the end with a pair of misses. Lorde won this one 1-3 and secured the series at 4-1 in the process. In game 6, Lorde let up on offense a bit, but not so much as to make it easy for Gradley. The game went to overtime, where both players made mistakes on their first shots. Later on, Lorde scratched to set up Gradley for the 3-4 win that cut the series to 4-2. Lorde made another mess out of game 7, dropping this one to Gradley by a 3-5 score. Lorde pulled off a 4-3 series win to get to the Championship Finals against the Diamond Gems' Leonardo. Lorde took her second kill of the season as Gradley was the 161st eliminated player and the Swifts were the 20th team to fall.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Citrus (B) v. Shawn (R). The penultimate series today comes in 13-ball. Lighton's Citrus seemed to have the better of play until a scratch slowed her in game 1. Midland's Shawn didn't pick up the slack until he banked the 6 to the bottom side. Shawn went on to take the 8 at the top right for a 1-0 series lead. The Predators' Shawn couldn't do anything with a positive break in game 2. His lousy positioning allowed the Prestige's Citrus to slowly work her way to the win, which tied the series at 1. Shawn struck first in game 3, but his offense after that attack as lacking. Citrus converted a five-ball run for pressure, and ultimately got the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. In game 4, Citrus scratched on the break and never really got under control from there. Shawn had an easier time with positioning and picked up the win to retie the series. Shawn had the edge for virtually all of game 5, but Citrus defended the bottom left perfectly. Citrus then made the 1 to the top left and deflected it to take the 15-2 combination at the bottom left to key a four-ball run-out with the 8 banked in the top side for the win to restore her series lead at 3-2. Shawn kept his series going in game 6, but it didn't look good for awhile there. Citrus had defense at both pockets Shawn needed, but his patient play outlasted Citrus' urgency, and Shawn got the win to tie the series at 3. Shawn couldn't get anything on the break in game 7, allowing Citrus to pick stripes at the top side. She looked out of sorts in the middle of the game, but Shawn's positioning made it tough to get to the left corners, and Citrus would ultimately get the win for a 4-3 series win. Citrus will take on her old teammate Strut, now of the Golden Pilots, in the Championship Finals. Shawn is the 162nd player out of the Tournament, and Citrus has five kills. The Predators are the 21st team out of players.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby (B) v. Princess (R). Rounding out today's games, we have 7-ball. Eastside's Cubby did all the heavy lifting in game 1, but came up with nothing as he missed the 7 at the bottom left. Viewpoint Sound's Princess poached the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Princess made a pair of shots before a scratch in game 2, which ruined her chances of winning. The Sharks' Cubby rallied on a five-ball run-out from ball-in-hand to tie the series at 1. Both players made three balls on their first turn of game 3, with Cubby's run ending illegally. Princess then converted the 7 on a bank to the bottom side on her second turn for the win, pulling ahead 2-1 in the series. After a slow start in game 4, Cubby returned to dominant form with a six-ball run-out, retying the series at 2 as Princess can't seem to sustain her offense. Game 5 saw the players tighten up a bit as the end of the series neared. Princess still found time to carve out a three-ball run-out for the win, retaking the series lead at 3-2 this time. Princess cranked a five-ball run from the game 6 break, but it ended with a scratch as she tried to line up on the 6. Cubby made the final pair of shots for the win, tying the series once more at 3. In the middle of game 7, Princess slipped up with a scratch. Cubby finally got back-to-back wins with a four-ball run-out, taking the series 4-3 in the process. He'll visit Commerce Tradewinds star Taylor S. in the Championship Finals. Princess is the 163rd player eliminated, and the Meteors are the 22nd eliminated team. Cubby has three kills now.
On Saturday, the regular-season portion of Tournament play comes to a close with the nine Tournament of Champions bids up for grabs.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Shiny (R) v. Dreamy (S). Southwestern rivals kick off today's action in Rotation. Lighton's Shiny had a strong start in game 1, but Swordpoint's Dreamy rallied back by making the last five balls for an 8-4 win and 1-0 series lead. The Blades' Dreamy kept the momentum in game 2, taking a huge lead early on. The Prestige's Shiny had a minor counterattack, but Dreamy was not threatened in her 8-3 win that pushed her series lead to 2-0. Dreamy continued her front-running habits in game 3, but this time, Shiny mounted a successful comeback. Shiny wound up winning 8-6 to cut the series to 2-1. In game 4, Shiny never really fell behind. Dreamy kept it close at first, but Shiny surged forward on a four-ball run-out for the 8-4 win to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Shiny turned up the defense in game 5, keeping Dreamy stuck in bad positions throughout. Shiny was given free reign to attack, and she won 8-0, pulling ahead in the series for the first time at 3-2. Shiny surged again early in game 6, and while Dreamy got some of it back, it wasn't enough. Shiny went on to win 8-2 and clinched the series at 4-2 in the process. Dreamy got one back at the end by winning game 7 on an 8-3 result. Shiny earned her spot in the Championship Finals against the Royal Crowns' Brownie. Dreamy is the 156th eliminated player and the fourth to fall to Shiny, while the Blades are also the 19th eliminated team.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Lionel (B) v. Mams (S). The second series is in 10-ball. North Modernistic's Lionel came out on fire in game 1, but Southern's Mams doused him with a four-ball run-out at the end for the early 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Mams followed up with a seven-ball run from the break, including making the 10 illegally. At the end, she had a missed on the 8, and the Nighthawks' Lionel made the last two shots for the win to tie the series at 1. Mams continued to show strength early on with big attacks, but her scratch on the 8 would be her downfall in game 3. Lionel again potted the final pair for the win that put him ahead 2-1 in the series. Mams faded in her quality in game 4, missing some shots and scratching near the end. Lionel wasn't sharp either, but he did enough to win, extending his series lead to 3-1. Mams kept herself in it for now with a late four-ball run-out, which saw her win with a deflection off the 8 to bump the 10 to the top right. Lionel remains ahead 3-2 in the series after game 5. Lionel cranked a five-ball run early in game 6, but Mams fired right back with a five-ball run-out, including a kick to tap in the 10 at the top right. The series is tied at 3, heading into a decisive finale. Game 7 packed as much drama and tension as the rest of the series, with Lionel pulling off a four-ball run-out at the end to advance on the 4-3 series win. He'll face Pronger Tridents captain Precious in the Championship Finals. Mams is the 157th eliminated player, while Lionel is up to four kills.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. (S) v. Watermelon (R). In 8-ball, two MVP front-runners meet. Pearl's Watermelon led off game 1 on a five-ball run. Commerce's Taylor S. responded with a six-ball run abbreviated by a scratch, and Watermelon struck back for three more shots to get the win and 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Watermelon did not back down in game 2, while the Tradewinds' Taylor S. could barely make a shot. This led to a lopsided frame, as Watermelon easily stomped to a 2-0 lead in the series. Watermelon had a tougher time keeping her shots strong in game 3, but Taylor S. missed on the 8 twice before Watermelon was able to corral it for another win. Watermelon is on the verge of advancing with a 3-0 series lead. Taylor S. avoided the sweep in game 4, keeping Watermelon in bad positioning for the late-game. Taylor S. then picked her way to a win to cut the deficit to 3-1. Watermelon staved off the threat from Taylor S. in game 5. Both players started hot, but Watermelon sustained the effort longer for the win to secure the series at 4-1. Taylor S. played well in game 6, but Watermelon pulled ahead with a late four-ball run. On the next turn, Watermelon knocked in the 8 for the win to push ahead to 5-1 in the series. Watermelon struggled through most of game 7, but a five-ball run made it close at the end. Taylor S. buried a pair for the win, with Watermelon advancing on a 5-2 series win. In the Championship Finals, Watermelon will visit the Terrace City Knights' Oreo.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Hoot (R) v. Shadow (S). We've got 15-ball here. No shortage of creativity occurred in game 1, especially with Viewpoint Sound's Hoot at the table. Diamond's Shadow tried to play straightforward, but Hoot had a little more luck in earning the win and 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Hoot continued to play freely in game 2, notching a six-ball run until his miss on the 12. From there, the Gems' Shadow produced a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series at 1. Shadow had arguably one of the top-ten breaks of all time in game 3, dropping five balls to four different pockets. He would alternate offense with Hoot over the rest of the abbreviated battle, with Shadow pulling off the win to move ahead 2-1 in the series at the end. Shadow didn't have the same explosiveness off the game 4 break, forcing the players to battle a bit early on. Hoot had his chances, but Shadow found a five-ball run-out at the end to get the win and 3-1 lead in the series. Hoot continued to try to play creatively in game 5, but the creeping sense of desperation threw him off his game. Shadow was steady as ever, using good positioning and choppy attacks to eventually make four of the last five balls for the win. Shadow sealed the series at 4-1. Shadow took the edge off his play in game 6, still contributing plenty of offense but not sweating the little details as much. Hoot used that to his advantage and won on a four-ball run-out to cut the series to 4-2. Shadow kept shooting well in game 7, but Hoot took this win early as well with a deflection off the 6 to bump the 15 to the top right. Shadow settled for a 4-3 series win to get him into the Championship Finals against the Archtown Arrows' A. Charlton. Hoot is the 158th player to be eliminated, and Shadow has two kills.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Niki (R) v. Taylor S. (B). The Tradewinds are assured of one player in the title series of 12-ball. An ugly start to game 1 saw both players commit illegal contact on their first turns. Eventually, Taylor S. got the lead, although Niki used defense to slow her teammate. Taylor S. eventually capitalized on Niki's late error to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, Niki executed a perfect stitch pattern with a five-ball run-out to get the win. Taylor S. had left decent defense up, but Niki wove through it to tie the series at 1. Niki had a good start to game 3, but Taylor S. kept things close throughout the game. Niki will regret missing at the top right so many times, as it bought Taylor S. enough turns to get the win at the top side. Taylor S. regained the series lead at 2-1. Taylor S. appeared in control with a pair on the game 4 break, but positioning favored Niki this time. At the end, Niki made a three-ball run-out to get by Taylor S. for the win that retied the series at 2. Taylor S. had a good start again in game 5, but the finish was very tense. Niki managed a five-ball run and nearly came all the way back as the 15 hung on the edge of the bottom right. Taylor S. then made a pair for the win, restoring her series lead at 3-2. Taylor S. made a ball on the break in game 6, but slow positioning and missed contact near the end cost her the series lead again. Niki made a pair of shots late to even the series at 3 games each. Taylor S. defended well after an early four-ball run in game 7, leaving Niki to play desperately. Taylor S. easily held her off for the win and 4-3 series win to get the to Championship Finals against the Freedom Cascades' Roxy. Taylor S. is up to 11 kills after this bout of friendly fire, while Niki is the 159th eliminated player.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally (R) v. Cheddar (S). Two tough opponents clash in 9-ball this time. North Modernistic's Cheddar closed game 1 on a three-ball run-out, washing out the slow start that plagued both her play and Archtown's Sally as well. Cheddar owns a 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Cheddar tried to keep things lively in game 2, but it was the Arrows' Sally missing the 4 on a bank but deflecting the cue to take the 9 at the bottom right that made it interesting. Sally's inadvertent win tied the series at 1. Game 3 saw another bout of sporadic offense early on. Cheddar seemed a little stronger, and she was rewarded as her awkward kick on the 6 deflected the 9 into the bottom side to restore her series lead over Sally at 2-1. Game 4 saw continued struggles with shot form and placement. The end was especially painful as both players chased the 9 around. Sally eventually prevailed by rattling the 9 out of the bottom right and into the bottom left to retie the series at 2, but she and Cheddar had countless other misses. Game 5 was perhaps the most normal yet in the series. Sally had her share of offense, but once again she fell behind Cheddar, who won on a three-ball run-out for the 3-2 series lead. Sally had a four-ball run over the middle of game 6, but it wouldn't pay off. Sally rattled the 8 out of the top left, and Cheddar converted the final pair of shots for the win to clinch the series at 4-2. Cheddar left no doubt in game 7, ripping another three-ball run-out to grab the win, officially defeat Sally 5-2 in the series. Cheddar will meet Southern Monarchs captain Panda in the Championship Finals. Sally is the 160th play to exit Tournament play, while Cheddar earned her fourth kill of the season.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Lorde (B) v. Gradley (R). Accuracy is next on the schedule. Capital City's Lorde showed Boston's Gradley no mercy in her 0-2 win in game 1; Lorde's perfect play led her to a 1-0 series lead and a boatload of confidence. The Sharpshooters' Lorde slipped a little bit in game 2 and even trailed for awhile, but the Swifts' Gradley made a couple of late mistakes, allowing Lorde to win 2-3. Lorde's series lead is up to 2-0. Lorde finally bit one in game 3, taking just a single miss but watching as Gradley played perfectly in a 0-1 win. Gradley's victory cut Lorde's advantage to 2-1, setting up a tight end to the rest of the series. Gradley couldn't sustain that positive play into game 4, as he unraveled following a double-pot. Lorde held strong until the end, scratching late but doing enough to earn the 2-3 win that boosted her series lead to 3-1. Gradley and Lorde put on another big battle throughout game 5, but it didn't work for Gradley when he collapsed near the end with a pair of misses. Lorde won this one 1-3 and secured the series at 4-1 in the process. In game 6, Lorde let up on offense a bit, but not so much as to make it easy for Gradley. The game went to overtime, where both players made mistakes on their first shots. Later on, Lorde scratched to set up Gradley for the 3-4 win that cut the series to 4-2. Lorde made another mess out of game 7, dropping this one to Gradley by a 3-5 score. Lorde pulled off a 4-3 series win to get to the Championship Finals against the Diamond Gems' Leonardo. Lorde took her second kill of the season as Gradley was the 161st eliminated player and the Swifts were the 20th team to fall.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Citrus (B) v. Shawn (R). The penultimate series today comes in 13-ball. Lighton's Citrus seemed to have the better of play until a scratch slowed her in game 1. Midland's Shawn didn't pick up the slack until he banked the 6 to the bottom side. Shawn went on to take the 8 at the top right for a 1-0 series lead. The Predators' Shawn couldn't do anything with a positive break in game 2. His lousy positioning allowed the Prestige's Citrus to slowly work her way to the win, which tied the series at 1. Shawn struck first in game 3, but his offense after that attack as lacking. Citrus converted a five-ball run for pressure, and ultimately got the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. In game 4, Citrus scratched on the break and never really got under control from there. Shawn had an easier time with positioning and picked up the win to retie the series. Shawn had the edge for virtually all of game 5, but Citrus defended the bottom left perfectly. Citrus then made the 1 to the top left and deflected it to take the 15-2 combination at the bottom left to key a four-ball run-out with the 8 banked in the top side for the win to restore her series lead at 3-2. Shawn kept his series going in game 6, but it didn't look good for awhile there. Citrus had defense at both pockets Shawn needed, but his patient play outlasted Citrus' urgency, and Shawn got the win to tie the series at 3. Shawn couldn't get anything on the break in game 7, allowing Citrus to pick stripes at the top side. She looked out of sorts in the middle of the game, but Shawn's positioning made it tough to get to the left corners, and Citrus would ultimately get the win for a 4-3 series win. Citrus will take on her old teammate Strut, now of the Golden Pilots, in the Championship Finals. Shawn is the 162nd player out of the Tournament, and Citrus has five kills. The Predators are the 21st team out of players.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby (B) v. Princess (R). Rounding out today's games, we have 7-ball. Eastside's Cubby did all the heavy lifting in game 1, but came up with nothing as he missed the 7 at the bottom left. Viewpoint Sound's Princess poached the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Princess made a pair of shots before a scratch in game 2, which ruined her chances of winning. The Sharks' Cubby rallied on a five-ball run-out from ball-in-hand to tie the series at 1. Both players made three balls on their first turn of game 3, with Cubby's run ending illegally. Princess then converted the 7 on a bank to the bottom side on her second turn for the win, pulling ahead 2-1 in the series. After a slow start in game 4, Cubby returned to dominant form with a six-ball run-out, retying the series at 2 as Princess can't seem to sustain her offense. Game 5 saw the players tighten up a bit as the end of the series neared. Princess still found time to carve out a three-ball run-out for the win, retaking the series lead at 3-2 this time. Princess cranked a five-ball run from the game 6 break, but it ended with a scratch as she tried to line up on the 6. Cubby made the final pair of shots for the win, tying the series once more at 3. In the middle of game 7, Princess slipped up with a scratch. Cubby finally got back-to-back wins with a four-ball run-out, taking the series 4-3 in the process. He'll visit Commerce Tradewinds star Taylor S. in the Championship Finals. Princess is the 163rd player eliminated, and the Meteors are the 22nd eliminated team. Cubby has three kills now.
On Saturday, the regular-season portion of Tournament play comes to a close with the nine Tournament of Champions bids up for grabs.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Tournament 2019 - Bracket Finals Day 3
The last day with brackets involved is here. We've got the last nine series divided by cues ready to go, beginning with...
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Lorde v. Isabella. The blue cue's Accuracy title is on the line here. A close and quality start to game 1 left little margin for error. Capital City's Lorde learned that the hard way with a pair of misses, allowing Atlantic's Isabella to take the series lead at 1-0 on a 1-2 win. The Pirates' Isabella nearly ruined game 2 with a double-pot, but she made a bank on the 11 to force overtime. Here, the Sharpshooters' Lorde tried a soft break to stuff Isabella early, and the visitor missed again on her third shot to take the loss. Lorde won 2-3 and tied the series at 1. Isabella couldn't regain her form in game 3, while Lorde found a new level in a 1-3 win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Lorde made a pair from the break and a double-pot on her second shot in game 4, keeping a fast pace throughout. Isabella was fine with it until a scratch and a late miss put her behind, and Lorde locked it up at 1-2 to seal the series at 3-1. Game 5 had a similar ending to game 2, but Lorde's overtime soft break didn't work this time. Isabella converted a ball and won 1-2 to make it a 3-2 series win in Lorde's favor. On the bracket, Lorde had a 16-8 record to get to the Finals. Lorde's first kill of the season made Isabella the 149th eliminated player.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Whiskers v. Panda. The blue cue stays in action for 9-ball. Maplewood's Whiskers started strong in game 1, but she faded with missed contact on the 6. Southern's Panda attacked for a three-ball run-out to get the win and 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Whiskers was better in game 2, but she missed her cut attempt on the 9 toward the top left, and the Monarchs' Panda picked it off for the win to pull ahead 2-0 in the series. Whiskers wasn't strong enough on her shots in game 3 to keep the series up for grabs. Panda attacked on a late four-ball run-out this time, the surge propelling him to the win that sealed the series at 3-0. Panda silenced what was left of Whiskers' home crowd by draining the 9 to the bottom right on the break in game 4, stretching his own series lead to 4-0. Panda completed the sweep with a win in game 5 after Whiskers missed a 7-9 combination to the bottom right. Panda converted the same shot to the same place to take the series 5-0. He went 19-5 on the bracket. Panda has two kills now, and Whiskers is the 150th player out of the Tournament. It also served to make the Lumberjacks the 13th eliminated team, and they'll likely miss the City Cup Playoffs as a result.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally v. Steven. More 9-ball is on the way with the red cue. Atlantic's Steven started slow in game 1, but he found a five-ball run-out after Archtown's Sally faltered on a couple of shots. Steven's late push puts him ahead 1-0 in the series. The Arrows' Sally came up with the win in game 2 after a cagey battle for the 6-9 combination that saw both players miss it once each. The Pirates' Steven left it short for Sally to tap in as she tied the series at 1. Sally quickly doubled down in game 3, making a trio of balls on the break that included the 1 at the bottom side, the 4 at the top right, and the 9 at the bottom right for the win. Sally now leads Steven 2-1 in the series. Sally didn't strike as early in game 4, waiting until her second turn after Steven couldn't convert on the 1. Sally deflected a shot off the 1 with the intent to make the 4 at the top right, but the 1 combined on the 9 at the bottom side for the win instead. This secured the series in Sally's favor at 3-1. Sally finished quickly again in game 5, potting the 8 to the top left on the break and adding a double-pot of the 1 to the top side and the 9 to the bottom side on the next shot. Sally beat Steven 4-1 in the series to go 17-7 on the bracket in advancing to the Finals. Sally has three kills, and Steven is the 151st eliminated player, as well as the Pirates being the 14th team out action.
Intel Center, Diamond: Shadow v. Citrus. A former Gem visits a current one in 15-ball with the silver cue. Lighton's Citrus made a big impact on offense in game 1, but she couldn't finish it off. Diamond's Shadow took the last two balls for the win and 1-0 series lead after weathering Citrus' fierce attack. The Gems' Shadow was more involved in a pacey game 2, including his five-ball run over the middle. The Prestige's Citrus shot back on a five-ball run-out of her own for the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw both players have moments to shine, especially as Citrus paced the offense in the middle-to-late parts of the game. She fell off late, and Shadow won with a three-ball run-out to regain the series lead at 2-1. Shadow clinched the series with another three-ball run-out at the end of game 4, again playing patiently as Citrus wore herself out. Shadow's victory put him ahead 3-1 in the series. Shadow actually controlled the pace of play in game 5, and Citrus couldn't really do anything to change it. Shadow had a five-ball run and ended with a pair for the win and 4-1 series win to get into the Finals on a 14-7 record from a top-seed position.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Citrus v. Kodiak. The host completes her doubleheader in 13-ball with the blue cue. Lighton's Citrus made a pair on the break despite an overfill foul in game 1. Modernistic's Kodiak tried to catch up, but he didn't come close as Citrus grabbed a 1-0 series lead with a pair of shots at the end. The Prestige's Citrus couldn't get the same spark at the start of game 2, as the Union's Kodiak controlled this one. Kodiak had a scratch to work around, but he banked the 5 to the bottom right and put the 8 in the top left for the win to tie the series at 1. Citrus had a five-ball run in game 3, which was stunted by a later scratch that made things a bit close. Kodiak couldn't solve his positioning problem in time, and Citrus earned the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Game 4 had offense on both sides, with Citrus making a three-ball run from the break. Kodiak also found a three-ball run to keep it close, but Citrus was better at the end to get the win that sealed the series at 3-1. Citrus finally got another win in game 5 after an unnecessarily tense battle with Kodiak involving tight defense at the top side. Citrus won this series 4-1 to get into the Finals with a 19-5 record from the bracket. Citrus grabbed her third kill of the season, and Kodiak is the 152nd eliminated player, Outcast is the first eliminated club, and the Union are the 15th team to run out of bids.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Leonardo. The silver cue cycles back in for Accuracy. Harrison's Twinkie II wasn't great at first in game 1, but Diamond's Leonardo had a late fade after a similar start. Twinkie II ended up with a 2-5 win that gave her a 1-0 series lead. The Specters' Twinkie II buried her game 2 effort with a pair of early scratches. She couldn't correct course in time, and the Gems' Leonardo coasted to a 4-5 win to tie the series at 1. Twinkie II hit the skids in the middle of game 3, the brutal stretch including a scratch that ruined her performance. Leonardo was strong enough to seal a 2-4 win and pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Leonardo made three balls on the break of game 4, shortening the battle drastically. He stayed perfect after that, and Twinkie II fell apart at the end as Leonardo won 0-3 to secure the series at 3-1. In game 5, Twinkie II started slow but otherwise played well despite Leonardo doing enough to win 1-2. Leonardo took the series 4-1 and enters the Finals with a 19-5 record. Leonardo's second kill of the season was a triple-play, as Twinkie II is the 153rd player to fall, as well as Reality being the second club and the Specters as the 16th team.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby v. Marsell. Club-mates clash in the blue cue's bracket finale, in 7-ball. Eastside's Cubby kept Whitewater's Marsell from the table in game 1, making a pair on the break and adding a 1-7 combination double-pot to the top side on the next shot. Cubby leads the series 1-0. The Shores' Marsell did alright when given a chance to shoot in game 2, but he missed on the 7 at the top left. The Sharks' Cubby picked it off for the win, moving ahead 2-0 in the series. Marsell kept himself in the series with a five-ball run-out after Cubby's early scratch in game 3. Marsell's victory cut the series to 2-1. Marsell picked up another five-ball run-out after another mixed start with Cubby. The players struggled at first until Marsell's surge tied the series at 2. Marsell had a pair early in game 5 and also made the 4 but left the 5 at the top left. In close quarters, Cubby dug out the final pair for the win and 3-2 series win that got him to the Finals. Cubby finished the bracket at 17-7. Marsell is the 154th player to exit the Tournament, and the Shores are the 17th team eliminated.
T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Mitchell v. Cheddar. The silver cue makes its exit for the round in 9-ball. North Modernistic's Cheddar showed little mercy at the end of game 1, winning with a four-ball run-out to take the 1-0 series lead over Victoria's Mitchell. The Nighthawks' Cheddar retained a majority of possession in game 2, including a four-ball run. The Spurs' Mitchell had a late chance to fight back, but his miss on the 9 set up Cheddar for a cut-shot to win it, and she did. Cheddar is ahead 2-0 in the series. Mitchell finally found his offense in game 3, ripping a five-ball run and adding a pair on the final turn to get the win over Cheddar, who remained ahead 2-1 in the series despite the loss. Mitchell had a similarly strong attack in game 4, again with a five-ball run in the middle. Cheddar tried and failed to bank the 8 to the top right, and Mitchell made the final pair for the win to tie the series at 2 games each. Game 5 turned a bit cagey when the 6-9 combination became apparently lined up. Neither player wanted to miss ahead of the 6, but Mitchell did, and Cheddar put the combination in the top right for the win and 3-2 series win. Cheddar went 16-8 on the bracket to get to the Finals. She earned her third kill to make Mitchell the 155th eliminated player, as well as the Spurs being the 18th ousted team and Humanity Junior the third club to fall.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Cheddar v. Precious. The marquee match of the round is the finale, using the red cue in 10-ball. North Modernistic's Cheddar had a bit more flair than usual in game 1, but it didn't work out. Pronger's Precious ripped the 10 at the bottom left for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Cheddar narrowly missed contact on the 2 in game 2, but the Tridents' Precious showed no mercy. She double-potted the 2 and 10 to the right corners for the win, pushing her series lead to 2-0. Precious showed a little savvy play in game 3, getting a three-ball run on each side of Cheddar making the 7. The trick was to bait Cheddar into an 8-10 combination, which just rattled out of the bottom right, allowing Precious to pull off the ending run to clinch the series at 3-0. Game 4 saw Precious take a more casual approach, but she still gladly took the win when Cheddar rattled the 10 wide of the bottom right. Precious is up to a 4-0 series lead. Cheddar again had a nice push with a three-ball run in game 5, but she missed on the 10, and Precious knocked it down to complete the 5-0 series sweep. Precious went 16-5 on the bracket to get to the Finals.
In the Finals, 25 players will compete for nine spots in the Tournament of Champions. Official game days are still being decided, but the earliest would be Thursday for the Preliminary Finals.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Lorde v. Isabella. The blue cue's Accuracy title is on the line here. A close and quality start to game 1 left little margin for error. Capital City's Lorde learned that the hard way with a pair of misses, allowing Atlantic's Isabella to take the series lead at 1-0 on a 1-2 win. The Pirates' Isabella nearly ruined game 2 with a double-pot, but she made a bank on the 11 to force overtime. Here, the Sharpshooters' Lorde tried a soft break to stuff Isabella early, and the visitor missed again on her third shot to take the loss. Lorde won 2-3 and tied the series at 1. Isabella couldn't regain her form in game 3, while Lorde found a new level in a 1-3 win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Lorde made a pair from the break and a double-pot on her second shot in game 4, keeping a fast pace throughout. Isabella was fine with it until a scratch and a late miss put her behind, and Lorde locked it up at 1-2 to seal the series at 3-1. Game 5 had a similar ending to game 2, but Lorde's overtime soft break didn't work this time. Isabella converted a ball and won 1-2 to make it a 3-2 series win in Lorde's favor. On the bracket, Lorde had a 16-8 record to get to the Finals. Lorde's first kill of the season made Isabella the 149th eliminated player.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Whiskers v. Panda. The blue cue stays in action for 9-ball. Maplewood's Whiskers started strong in game 1, but she faded with missed contact on the 6. Southern's Panda attacked for a three-ball run-out to get the win and 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Whiskers was better in game 2, but she missed her cut attempt on the 9 toward the top left, and the Monarchs' Panda picked it off for the win to pull ahead 2-0 in the series. Whiskers wasn't strong enough on her shots in game 3 to keep the series up for grabs. Panda attacked on a late four-ball run-out this time, the surge propelling him to the win that sealed the series at 3-0. Panda silenced what was left of Whiskers' home crowd by draining the 9 to the bottom right on the break in game 4, stretching his own series lead to 4-0. Panda completed the sweep with a win in game 5 after Whiskers missed a 7-9 combination to the bottom right. Panda converted the same shot to the same place to take the series 5-0. He went 19-5 on the bracket. Panda has two kills now, and Whiskers is the 150th player out of the Tournament. It also served to make the Lumberjacks the 13th eliminated team, and they'll likely miss the City Cup Playoffs as a result.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally v. Steven. More 9-ball is on the way with the red cue. Atlantic's Steven started slow in game 1, but he found a five-ball run-out after Archtown's Sally faltered on a couple of shots. Steven's late push puts him ahead 1-0 in the series. The Arrows' Sally came up with the win in game 2 after a cagey battle for the 6-9 combination that saw both players miss it once each. The Pirates' Steven left it short for Sally to tap in as she tied the series at 1. Sally quickly doubled down in game 3, making a trio of balls on the break that included the 1 at the bottom side, the 4 at the top right, and the 9 at the bottom right for the win. Sally now leads Steven 2-1 in the series. Sally didn't strike as early in game 4, waiting until her second turn after Steven couldn't convert on the 1. Sally deflected a shot off the 1 with the intent to make the 4 at the top right, but the 1 combined on the 9 at the bottom side for the win instead. This secured the series in Sally's favor at 3-1. Sally finished quickly again in game 5, potting the 8 to the top left on the break and adding a double-pot of the 1 to the top side and the 9 to the bottom side on the next shot. Sally beat Steven 4-1 in the series to go 17-7 on the bracket in advancing to the Finals. Sally has three kills, and Steven is the 151st eliminated player, as well as the Pirates being the 14th team out action.
Intel Center, Diamond: Shadow v. Citrus. A former Gem visits a current one in 15-ball with the silver cue. Lighton's Citrus made a big impact on offense in game 1, but she couldn't finish it off. Diamond's Shadow took the last two balls for the win and 1-0 series lead after weathering Citrus' fierce attack. The Gems' Shadow was more involved in a pacey game 2, including his five-ball run over the middle. The Prestige's Citrus shot back on a five-ball run-out of her own for the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw both players have moments to shine, especially as Citrus paced the offense in the middle-to-late parts of the game. She fell off late, and Shadow won with a three-ball run-out to regain the series lead at 2-1. Shadow clinched the series with another three-ball run-out at the end of game 4, again playing patiently as Citrus wore herself out. Shadow's victory put him ahead 3-1 in the series. Shadow actually controlled the pace of play in game 5, and Citrus couldn't really do anything to change it. Shadow had a five-ball run and ended with a pair for the win and 4-1 series win to get into the Finals on a 14-7 record from a top-seed position.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Citrus v. Kodiak. The host completes her doubleheader in 13-ball with the blue cue. Lighton's Citrus made a pair on the break despite an overfill foul in game 1. Modernistic's Kodiak tried to catch up, but he didn't come close as Citrus grabbed a 1-0 series lead with a pair of shots at the end. The Prestige's Citrus couldn't get the same spark at the start of game 2, as the Union's Kodiak controlled this one. Kodiak had a scratch to work around, but he banked the 5 to the bottom right and put the 8 in the top left for the win to tie the series at 1. Citrus had a five-ball run in game 3, which was stunted by a later scratch that made things a bit close. Kodiak couldn't solve his positioning problem in time, and Citrus earned the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Game 4 had offense on both sides, with Citrus making a three-ball run from the break. Kodiak also found a three-ball run to keep it close, but Citrus was better at the end to get the win that sealed the series at 3-1. Citrus finally got another win in game 5 after an unnecessarily tense battle with Kodiak involving tight defense at the top side. Citrus won this series 4-1 to get into the Finals with a 19-5 record from the bracket. Citrus grabbed her third kill of the season, and Kodiak is the 152nd eliminated player, Outcast is the first eliminated club, and the Union are the 15th team to run out of bids.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Leonardo. The silver cue cycles back in for Accuracy. Harrison's Twinkie II wasn't great at first in game 1, but Diamond's Leonardo had a late fade after a similar start. Twinkie II ended up with a 2-5 win that gave her a 1-0 series lead. The Specters' Twinkie II buried her game 2 effort with a pair of early scratches. She couldn't correct course in time, and the Gems' Leonardo coasted to a 4-5 win to tie the series at 1. Twinkie II hit the skids in the middle of game 3, the brutal stretch including a scratch that ruined her performance. Leonardo was strong enough to seal a 2-4 win and pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Leonardo made three balls on the break of game 4, shortening the battle drastically. He stayed perfect after that, and Twinkie II fell apart at the end as Leonardo won 0-3 to secure the series at 3-1. In game 5, Twinkie II started slow but otherwise played well despite Leonardo doing enough to win 1-2. Leonardo took the series 4-1 and enters the Finals with a 19-5 record. Leonardo's second kill of the season was a triple-play, as Twinkie II is the 153rd player to fall, as well as Reality being the second club and the Specters as the 16th team.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby v. Marsell. Club-mates clash in the blue cue's bracket finale, in 7-ball. Eastside's Cubby kept Whitewater's Marsell from the table in game 1, making a pair on the break and adding a 1-7 combination double-pot to the top side on the next shot. Cubby leads the series 1-0. The Shores' Marsell did alright when given a chance to shoot in game 2, but he missed on the 7 at the top left. The Sharks' Cubby picked it off for the win, moving ahead 2-0 in the series. Marsell kept himself in the series with a five-ball run-out after Cubby's early scratch in game 3. Marsell's victory cut the series to 2-1. Marsell picked up another five-ball run-out after another mixed start with Cubby. The players struggled at first until Marsell's surge tied the series at 2. Marsell had a pair early in game 5 and also made the 4 but left the 5 at the top left. In close quarters, Cubby dug out the final pair for the win and 3-2 series win that got him to the Finals. Cubby finished the bracket at 17-7. Marsell is the 154th player to exit the Tournament, and the Shores are the 17th team eliminated.
T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Mitchell v. Cheddar. The silver cue makes its exit for the round in 9-ball. North Modernistic's Cheddar showed little mercy at the end of game 1, winning with a four-ball run-out to take the 1-0 series lead over Victoria's Mitchell. The Nighthawks' Cheddar retained a majority of possession in game 2, including a four-ball run. The Spurs' Mitchell had a late chance to fight back, but his miss on the 9 set up Cheddar for a cut-shot to win it, and she did. Cheddar is ahead 2-0 in the series. Mitchell finally found his offense in game 3, ripping a five-ball run and adding a pair on the final turn to get the win over Cheddar, who remained ahead 2-1 in the series despite the loss. Mitchell had a similarly strong attack in game 4, again with a five-ball run in the middle. Cheddar tried and failed to bank the 8 to the top right, and Mitchell made the final pair for the win to tie the series at 2 games each. Game 5 turned a bit cagey when the 6-9 combination became apparently lined up. Neither player wanted to miss ahead of the 6, but Mitchell did, and Cheddar put the combination in the top right for the win and 3-2 series win. Cheddar went 16-8 on the bracket to get to the Finals. She earned her third kill to make Mitchell the 155th eliminated player, as well as the Spurs being the 18th ousted team and Humanity Junior the third club to fall.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Cheddar v. Precious. The marquee match of the round is the finale, using the red cue in 10-ball. North Modernistic's Cheddar had a bit more flair than usual in game 1, but it didn't work out. Pronger's Precious ripped the 10 at the bottom left for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Cheddar narrowly missed contact on the 2 in game 2, but the Tridents' Precious showed no mercy. She double-potted the 2 and 10 to the right corners for the win, pushing her series lead to 2-0. Precious showed a little savvy play in game 3, getting a three-ball run on each side of Cheddar making the 7. The trick was to bait Cheddar into an 8-10 combination, which just rattled out of the bottom right, allowing Precious to pull off the ending run to clinch the series at 3-0. Game 4 saw Precious take a more casual approach, but she still gladly took the win when Cheddar rattled the 10 wide of the bottom right. Precious is up to a 4-0 series lead. Cheddar again had a nice push with a three-ball run in game 5, but she missed on the 10, and Precious knocked it down to complete the 5-0 series sweep. Precious went 16-5 on the bracket to get to the Finals.
In the Finals, 25 players will compete for nine spots in the Tournament of Champions. Official game days are still being decided, but the earliest would be Thursday for the Preliminary Finals.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Tournament 2019 - Bracket Finals Day 2
The middle day of the Bracket Finals is here, with a major emphasis on tactical styles. First up...
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dani v. Shiny. The red cue opens the day in Rotation. Game 1 was slow going on both sides. Viewpoint Sound's Dani lost her temper a bit near the end, while Lighton's Shiny held the lead for most of the game and won 8-5 to pull ahead 1-0 in the series. The Prestige's Shiny started game 2 on a four-ball run, and held a large lead for the early part of the game. The Meteors' Dani made a rally to get close, but a late scratch on the potential tying shot would allow Shiny to take an 8-6 win from ball-in-hand to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Dani held the lead at one point in game 3, but she couldn't make it stand after Shiny's double-pot. Shiny went on to earn an 8-5 win that sealed the series in her favor at 3-0. Shiny turned up the heat in game 4, making a pair on the break and adding plenty of offense later to beat Dani by and 8-2 score for the 4-0 series lead this time. Dani salvaged the win in game 5, dominating from the start and winning 8-2 to cut Shiny's series win to 4-1. Shiny went 16-8 on the bracket as she advances to the Finals.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Princess v. Fluffina. The venue doubleheader ends in 7-ball with the red cue. Viewpoint Sound's Princess posted a pair of three-ball runs and a finish on the 7 to the top side to take a commanding 1-0 series lead after Infinity's Fluffina failed to impact game 1. The Torpedoes' Fluffina continued to struggle with her shots, opening the door for the Meteors' Princess to attack without much concern. Princess plucked a pair at the end this time to grab the win for a 2-0 series lead. Princess clinched the series at 3-0 despite Fluffina finding a little more offense in game 3. Princess still had a grand majority of it, including the final pair of shots that secured the win. Fluffina finally found a win with a three-ball run-out in game 4, as Princess eased off the intensity with the series in her control. Fluffina picked up another win in game 5 with a strong finish, building off the earlier momentum. Princess still won the series 3-2, and she advanced to the Finals on a top-seed minimum 13-8 record. Princess got her fourth kill of the season to make Fluffina the 144th eliminated player. The Torpedoes are the 11th team to be fully eliminated, as well.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Oreo v. Chimpy. The blue cue draws in for an Urban derby in 8-ball. Terrace City's Oreo made three solids on the game 1 break, but she faded and Westside's Chimpy surged on a five-ball run. Chimpy had the late momentum to convert the final pair for a win and 1-0 series lead. The Knights' Oreo bounced back quickly in game 2, capitalizing on an empty break from the Rockers' Chimpy. Oreo found the route to victory with a four-ball run-out, tying the series at 1 when her kick on the 8 landed at the top right. Both players made mistakes near the end of a back-and-forth game 3. Oreo first missed the 8 at the bottom right, but Chimpy rattled the 12 out of the bottom side on the next shot. Oreo tapped the 8 down on the second try for the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Oreo made a bank on the 3 to the bottom left when Chimpy couldn't do the same on the 13 to the bottom right. Oreo's attempt on the 8 was ruined by Audi Hall's tight playing quarters, as she missed near the bottom side. Chimpy then made a pair and got the win to retie the series at 2. Chimpy ran out of steam in game 5, falling apart near the end as Oreo pushed a three-ball run-out for the win. Oreo won the series 3-2 and finished the bracket at 17-7 to get into the Finals. Oreo notched her second kill of the season to make Chimpy the 145th player and the Rockers the 12th team eliminated.
HP Field Events Center, Midland: Shawn v. Delila. The red cue is back for this 13-ball set between captains. Midland's Shawn turned a break of one of each in game 1 into a three-ball run on stripes. Atlantic's Delila resisted a little, but Shawn found a four-ball run-out to stake out a 1-0 series lead with the win. The Predators' Shawn quickly doubled his advantage to 2-0, pushing the 8 down to the bottom right on a clean break in game 2, leaving the Pirates' Delila no chance to respond. Delila bounced back in game 3 after Shawn overfilled the top right on the break. Delila held her ground offensively and added a little defense to frustrate her opponent before finishing the win. Shawn still leads the series 2-1. Delila worked a four-ball run from the break in game 4 and used better positioning again to leave Shawn with nothing to shoot at. Shawn's positional plays were poor, and Delila grabbed the win again to even the series at 2. In game 5, things got very cagey at the end. Neither player wanted to give the other a clear look, until Delila's adjusted grip allowed her to get onto the 8. She just missed it at the bottom right, and Shawn made a pair for the win and 3-2 series win to send him to the Finals. Shawn went 16-8 on the bracket. Shawn has his fifth kill as Delila is the 146th eliminated player this season.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dani v. Taylor S. Two top players clash in 8-ball with the silver cue. Viewpoint Sound's Dani had total control in game 1 until back-to-back scratches. Commerce's Taylor S. rallied with a four-ball run-out for the comeback win and 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Taylor S. made much more of a mess in game 2, as a positioning play on the 12 resulted in a scratch and the premature potting of the 8 to gift the win to the Meteors' Dani. This tied the series at 1. Taylor S. found redemption with a five-ball run in game 3, grabbing a commanding lead. Dani couldn't respond much, and Taylor S. dropped a three-ball run-out for the win to retake the series lead at 2-1. Taylor S. had the lead for virtually all of game 4, but as she committed collateral damage to drain the 8 to the top right, she ended up scratching at the bottom right to gift another win to Dani. The series is tied at 2 heading into the finale. Dani looked poised to finally earn a win for herself, but she had nothing on the 8. Taylor S. rallied well with a five-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win after having the deciding shot in each game. Taylor S. went 16-8 on the bracket and extended her league lead in kills to nine as Dani's great campaign ended 147th.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Taylor S. The visitor completes a road doubleheader in 12-ball with the blue cue. Freedom's Nikolai didn't take the easiest route to the win in game 1, instead overfilling on the break and twice missing on his last ball. Commerce's Taylor S. just didn't have the positioning to capitalize, and Nikolai won for a 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Nikolai had a strong start to game 2 with a three-ball run, and then benefited from a wild-card ball as the Tradewinds' Taylor S. made a late push. Nikolai banked the 1 to the top side for the win and 2-0 series lead. On the ropes with this bid, Taylor S. kept it going with a perfect win in game 3, as Nikolai never potted a ball. Nikolai remains ahead 2-1 in the series, but he has no momentum. Taylor S. pulled off a strategic scratch in game 2, keeping Nikolai out of good positioning in the process. Taylor S. then made three balls over her last two turns to get the win that tied the series at 2. Taylor S. completed the 3-2 series comeback win with a big push to start game 5 and enough to hold off Nikolai's counterattack at the end. Taylor S. went 15-9 on the bracket and earned her 10th kill to leave Nikolai as the 148th eliminated player.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Watermelon v. Shawn. Another captains' battle occurs in 8-ball with the red cue. Pearl's Watermelon had most of the offense in game 1, but a fluky missed contact deflected the 8 into an uncalled pocket at the end to gift Midland's Shawn the win. Shawn leads the series 1-0. The Predators' Shawn did a lot better to earn the win in game 2, controlling the pace early. The Surfers' Watermelon put up a good battle, but Shawn claimed the series lead at 2-0. Shawn started with a four-ball run in game 3, but Watermelon made seven balls over two turns to win with the help of Shawn giving up some collateral damage. Watermelon cut the series to 2-1 with her win. In game 4, Watermelon had a couple of early scratches hold her back. It wouldn't matter when she surprised Shawn with a four-ball run-out for the comeback win to tie the series at 2. Watermelon completed the series comeback in game 5, winning on a three-ball run-out capped by a kick on the 8 to the top right. Watermelon took a 3-2 series and finished 15-9 on the bracket to get into the Finals.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut v. Hoot. The silver cue is up for 13-ball. Golden's Strut rocked the break in game 1, only for Viewpoint Sound's Hoot to counter in a big way. Strut then bounced back with a three-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Hoot had the first surge in game 2, but he struggled deeply over the middle. The Pilots' Strut came close to a win, but Hoot found his way with a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series at 1. Hoot had three balls potted on the break, but his positioning for stripes was not good after that. Strut was smart with his play after that, taking his time until he could strike efficiently. Strut went on to win, restoring his series lead at 2-1. Strut had a good break to get stripes in game 4. Hoot was again difficult to play against, especially when he pushed Strut out of position at the bottom side. Hoot wasn't able to capitalize, and Strut recovered in two turns to pick up the win that secured the series at 3-1. Strut couldn't get a cluster of balls organized fast enough in game 5, as Hoot's pacey attack worked to earn the win. Strut settled for a 3-2 series win to put him into the Finals on a fantastic 20-4 record from the bracket.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Shiny v. Roxy. The day ends in 12-ball with the silver cue. In a wacky game 1, Lighton's Shiny gave up a wild-card ball on the break and scratched twice. The scratches came after Freedom's Roxy noticed an impending tip problem on the cue, and applied emergency repairs to keep it going. In the end, Roxy struck at the bottom side for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Roxy struck on the break in game 2 and put in a good effort on offense. The Prestige's Shiny made it interesting at the end, but Roxy beat her to the bottom left for the win and 2-0 series lead. Roxy couldn't stay out of scratching trouble in game 3, leading to Shiny having her way on offense. Shiny played a patient game to get this win, cutting the series to 2-1. Shiny exploded to pot three solids in the break of game 4, but a total lack of positioning eventually opened the door for Roxy to rip a five-ball run-out for the win, with the aid of an earlier wild-card ball. Roxy sealed the series at 3-1 in the process. Roxy stayed strong in game 5, but she didn't have to finish off the win, as Shiny made her last ball for her instead. Roxy won the series 4-1 and finished at 18-6 on the bracket. This marked Shiny's 100th unique opponent.
Tomorrow, the brackets will be complete, and the Finals will be set.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dani v. Shiny. The red cue opens the day in Rotation. Game 1 was slow going on both sides. Viewpoint Sound's Dani lost her temper a bit near the end, while Lighton's Shiny held the lead for most of the game and won 8-5 to pull ahead 1-0 in the series. The Prestige's Shiny started game 2 on a four-ball run, and held a large lead for the early part of the game. The Meteors' Dani made a rally to get close, but a late scratch on the potential tying shot would allow Shiny to take an 8-6 win from ball-in-hand to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Dani held the lead at one point in game 3, but she couldn't make it stand after Shiny's double-pot. Shiny went on to earn an 8-5 win that sealed the series in her favor at 3-0. Shiny turned up the heat in game 4, making a pair on the break and adding plenty of offense later to beat Dani by and 8-2 score for the 4-0 series lead this time. Dani salvaged the win in game 5, dominating from the start and winning 8-2 to cut Shiny's series win to 4-1. Shiny went 16-8 on the bracket as she advances to the Finals.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Princess v. Fluffina. The venue doubleheader ends in 7-ball with the red cue. Viewpoint Sound's Princess posted a pair of three-ball runs and a finish on the 7 to the top side to take a commanding 1-0 series lead after Infinity's Fluffina failed to impact game 1. The Torpedoes' Fluffina continued to struggle with her shots, opening the door for the Meteors' Princess to attack without much concern. Princess plucked a pair at the end this time to grab the win for a 2-0 series lead. Princess clinched the series at 3-0 despite Fluffina finding a little more offense in game 3. Princess still had a grand majority of it, including the final pair of shots that secured the win. Fluffina finally found a win with a three-ball run-out in game 4, as Princess eased off the intensity with the series in her control. Fluffina picked up another win in game 5 with a strong finish, building off the earlier momentum. Princess still won the series 3-2, and she advanced to the Finals on a top-seed minimum 13-8 record. Princess got her fourth kill of the season to make Fluffina the 144th eliminated player. The Torpedoes are the 11th team to be fully eliminated, as well.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Oreo v. Chimpy. The blue cue draws in for an Urban derby in 8-ball. Terrace City's Oreo made three solids on the game 1 break, but she faded and Westside's Chimpy surged on a five-ball run. Chimpy had the late momentum to convert the final pair for a win and 1-0 series lead. The Knights' Oreo bounced back quickly in game 2, capitalizing on an empty break from the Rockers' Chimpy. Oreo found the route to victory with a four-ball run-out, tying the series at 1 when her kick on the 8 landed at the top right. Both players made mistakes near the end of a back-and-forth game 3. Oreo first missed the 8 at the bottom right, but Chimpy rattled the 12 out of the bottom side on the next shot. Oreo tapped the 8 down on the second try for the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Oreo made a bank on the 3 to the bottom left when Chimpy couldn't do the same on the 13 to the bottom right. Oreo's attempt on the 8 was ruined by Audi Hall's tight playing quarters, as she missed near the bottom side. Chimpy then made a pair and got the win to retie the series at 2. Chimpy ran out of steam in game 5, falling apart near the end as Oreo pushed a three-ball run-out for the win. Oreo won the series 3-2 and finished the bracket at 17-7 to get into the Finals. Oreo notched her second kill of the season to make Chimpy the 145th player and the Rockers the 12th team eliminated.
HP Field Events Center, Midland: Shawn v. Delila. The red cue is back for this 13-ball set between captains. Midland's Shawn turned a break of one of each in game 1 into a three-ball run on stripes. Atlantic's Delila resisted a little, but Shawn found a four-ball run-out to stake out a 1-0 series lead with the win. The Predators' Shawn quickly doubled his advantage to 2-0, pushing the 8 down to the bottom right on a clean break in game 2, leaving the Pirates' Delila no chance to respond. Delila bounced back in game 3 after Shawn overfilled the top right on the break. Delila held her ground offensively and added a little defense to frustrate her opponent before finishing the win. Shawn still leads the series 2-1. Delila worked a four-ball run from the break in game 4 and used better positioning again to leave Shawn with nothing to shoot at. Shawn's positional plays were poor, and Delila grabbed the win again to even the series at 2. In game 5, things got very cagey at the end. Neither player wanted to give the other a clear look, until Delila's adjusted grip allowed her to get onto the 8. She just missed it at the bottom right, and Shawn made a pair for the win and 3-2 series win to send him to the Finals. Shawn went 16-8 on the bracket. Shawn has his fifth kill as Delila is the 146th eliminated player this season.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dani v. Taylor S. Two top players clash in 8-ball with the silver cue. Viewpoint Sound's Dani had total control in game 1 until back-to-back scratches. Commerce's Taylor S. rallied with a four-ball run-out for the comeback win and 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Taylor S. made much more of a mess in game 2, as a positioning play on the 12 resulted in a scratch and the premature potting of the 8 to gift the win to the Meteors' Dani. This tied the series at 1. Taylor S. found redemption with a five-ball run in game 3, grabbing a commanding lead. Dani couldn't respond much, and Taylor S. dropped a three-ball run-out for the win to retake the series lead at 2-1. Taylor S. had the lead for virtually all of game 4, but as she committed collateral damage to drain the 8 to the top right, she ended up scratching at the bottom right to gift another win to Dani. The series is tied at 2 heading into the finale. Dani looked poised to finally earn a win for herself, but she had nothing on the 8. Taylor S. rallied well with a five-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win after having the deciding shot in each game. Taylor S. went 16-8 on the bracket and extended her league lead in kills to nine as Dani's great campaign ended 147th.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Taylor S. The visitor completes a road doubleheader in 12-ball with the blue cue. Freedom's Nikolai didn't take the easiest route to the win in game 1, instead overfilling on the break and twice missing on his last ball. Commerce's Taylor S. just didn't have the positioning to capitalize, and Nikolai won for a 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Nikolai had a strong start to game 2 with a three-ball run, and then benefited from a wild-card ball as the Tradewinds' Taylor S. made a late push. Nikolai banked the 1 to the top side for the win and 2-0 series lead. On the ropes with this bid, Taylor S. kept it going with a perfect win in game 3, as Nikolai never potted a ball. Nikolai remains ahead 2-1 in the series, but he has no momentum. Taylor S. pulled off a strategic scratch in game 2, keeping Nikolai out of good positioning in the process. Taylor S. then made three balls over her last two turns to get the win that tied the series at 2. Taylor S. completed the 3-2 series comeback win with a big push to start game 5 and enough to hold off Nikolai's counterattack at the end. Taylor S. went 15-9 on the bracket and earned her 10th kill to leave Nikolai as the 148th eliminated player.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Watermelon v. Shawn. Another captains' battle occurs in 8-ball with the red cue. Pearl's Watermelon had most of the offense in game 1, but a fluky missed contact deflected the 8 into an uncalled pocket at the end to gift Midland's Shawn the win. Shawn leads the series 1-0. The Predators' Shawn did a lot better to earn the win in game 2, controlling the pace early. The Surfers' Watermelon put up a good battle, but Shawn claimed the series lead at 2-0. Shawn started with a four-ball run in game 3, but Watermelon made seven balls over two turns to win with the help of Shawn giving up some collateral damage. Watermelon cut the series to 2-1 with her win. In game 4, Watermelon had a couple of early scratches hold her back. It wouldn't matter when she surprised Shawn with a four-ball run-out for the comeback win to tie the series at 2. Watermelon completed the series comeback in game 5, winning on a three-ball run-out capped by a kick on the 8 to the top right. Watermelon took a 3-2 series and finished 15-9 on the bracket to get into the Finals.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut v. Hoot. The silver cue is up for 13-ball. Golden's Strut rocked the break in game 1, only for Viewpoint Sound's Hoot to counter in a big way. Strut then bounced back with a three-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Hoot had the first surge in game 2, but he struggled deeply over the middle. The Pilots' Strut came close to a win, but Hoot found his way with a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series at 1. Hoot had three balls potted on the break, but his positioning for stripes was not good after that. Strut was smart with his play after that, taking his time until he could strike efficiently. Strut went on to win, restoring his series lead at 2-1. Strut had a good break to get stripes in game 4. Hoot was again difficult to play against, especially when he pushed Strut out of position at the bottom side. Hoot wasn't able to capitalize, and Strut recovered in two turns to pick up the win that secured the series at 3-1. Strut couldn't get a cluster of balls organized fast enough in game 5, as Hoot's pacey attack worked to earn the win. Strut settled for a 3-2 series win to put him into the Finals on a fantastic 20-4 record from the bracket.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Shiny v. Roxy. The day ends in 12-ball with the silver cue. In a wacky game 1, Lighton's Shiny gave up a wild-card ball on the break and scratched twice. The scratches came after Freedom's Roxy noticed an impending tip problem on the cue, and applied emergency repairs to keep it going. In the end, Roxy struck at the bottom side for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Roxy struck on the break in game 2 and put in a good effort on offense. The Prestige's Shiny made it interesting at the end, but Roxy beat her to the bottom left for the win and 2-0 series lead. Roxy couldn't stay out of scratching trouble in game 3, leading to Shiny having her way on offense. Shiny played a patient game to get this win, cutting the series to 2-1. Shiny exploded to pot three solids in the break of game 4, but a total lack of positioning eventually opened the door for Roxy to rip a five-ball run-out for the win, with the aid of an earlier wild-card ball. Roxy sealed the series at 3-1 in the process. Roxy stayed strong in game 5, but she didn't have to finish off the win, as Shiny made her last ball for her instead. Roxy won the series 4-1 and finished at 18-6 on the bracket. This marked Shiny's 100th unique opponent.
Tomorrow, the brackets will be complete, and the Finals will be set.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Tournament 2019 - Bracket Finals Day 1
Trips to the Finals are now on the line as the bracket finals begin today. We'll play three days in a row before the schedule gets a little shifty. First up...
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Lionel v. Dani. The blue cue's battle for 10-ball superiority leads the day. North Modernistic's Lionel started a little slow in game 1, as he couldn't get much offense going. Viewpoint Sound's Dani stepped up with a four-ball run-out capped by a deflection off the 7 to put the 10 in the bottom right for the 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Dani illegally potted the 3 in game 2, shifting possession to the Nighthawks' Lionel, who made a pair of shots. Dani then couldn't get contact on the 5, and Lionel made another pair for the win with a 6-10 combination to the top right serving to tie the series at 1. Dani bounced back just fine in a close game 3. Both players missed the 10 once this time, but Dani cut it to the bottom right to pull ahead 2-1 in the series over Lionel. Game 4 saw a few more interesting choices by the players. Dani elected to play respectfully with a chance at the 8-10 combination, electing to play the cue as it was. Lionel responded with a three-ball run-out immediately after for the win to tie the series again at 2. Both players started game 5 on a three-ball run. Dani's miss on the 6 would be pivotal, as Lionel made the 6-10 combination to the top right on his second turn for the win and 3-2 series win. Lionel heads to the Finals after going 15-6 on the bracket.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Dreamy v. Violetta. Sparky opponents go in Rotation with the silver cue. Queens' Violetta surged ahead with a double-pot early in game 1, but Swordpoint's Dreamy refused to go quietly. Dreamy tied it on a three-ball run and won 8-7 on her final turn to take the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 started out similarly close between the two players. The Flames' Violetta twice scratched while trying to take the 8, and eventually the Blades' Dreamy emerged on a four-ball run-out for the win to pull ahead 2-0 in the series. Violetta kept herself in the series in game 3, taking a rather dominant win as Dreamy couldn't get any traction on offense. Violetta won 8-2, cutting Dreamy's advantage to 2-1. Violetta wasn't done in game 4 either, smashing a creative run early on to take a firm grasp on the lead. Dreamy again struggled to attack, and Violetta won 8-3 to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Violetta tried to keep up in game 5, but Dreamy made the final six balls over two turns for a 9-3 win, an exclamation finish to her 3-2 series win. Dreamy is headed to the Finals with a 16-8 record on the bracket.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Brownie v. Katharine. The blue cue is back for Rotation in this appearance. Whitewater's Katharine tore through the rack in game 1, with a five-ball run on her second turn highlighting the 8-0 win over Royal's Brownie. Katharine holds a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Brownie didn't stay down for long in game 2, taking a large portion of the early offense and adding a three-ball run to strengthen her lead. The Shores' Katharine couldn't catch up, and Brownie won 8-3 to tie the series at 1. A chaotic start to game 3 saw the players on even terms, but a five-ball run staked Brownie to a big lead after that. Katharine had no response as Brownie sealed the win at 8-2 to move ahead 2-1 in the series. Katharine pulled far ahead in game 4 after a fairly smooth start. Brownie challenged with a late three-ball run, but Katharine made the 14 to the top side for the 8-6 win to retie the series at 2. Brownie surged at the start, but Katharine dominated the middle of game 5 and held a lead. Brownie then found a three-ball run-out for the 8-6 win and 3-2 series win. Brownie heads to the Finals after posting an 18-6 record on the bracket. Brownie earned her third kill of the season to make Katharine the 138th eliminated player.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Hoot v. Stephanie. The red cue's first title battle is in 15-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot came out hot in game 1 and didn't cool much. Southridge's Stephanie gave a good challenge, but Hoot sealed the win with a three-ball run-out for the 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Hoot had a decent share of offense, but less command hurt him in game 2. The Defenders' Stephanie also slipped in quality, but a little luck on her miss on the 12 led to the 15 draining at the top right for the win to tie the series at 1. Stephanie had some frustrations on some of her game 3 shots, particularly when the 15 didn't drop at the bottom right. Hoot used that to his advantage, deflecting off the 7 to get the win and 2-1 series lead with the early finish. Hoot dropped the hammer early in game 4, smashing a four-ball run-out capped by an 8-15 combination to the top right to clinch the series at 3-1 over Stephanie. Hoot had a lot of the offense in game 5, but Stephanie got a little fortunate as her miss on the 15 landed in the top side on a two-rail bank. Hoot still won the series 3-2 to get to the Finals with a 17-7 record from the bracket. Hoot's fourth kill of the season left Stephanie as the 139th player out of the Tournament, as well as a team-kill on the Defenders, who are ninth out.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: A. Charlton v. Sweetheart. More 15-ball follows with the blue cue. Boston's Sweetheart erred three times early in game 1, eventually allowing Archtown's A. Charlton to pot the 5-15 combination from ball-in-hand to the top right. Charlton is up 1-0 in the series. The Arrows' Charlton needed only three shots in game 2 to get the win, making a ball on the break and deflecting off the 2 to push the 15 to the bottom right. The quick results put her ahead of the Swifts' Sweetheart by a 2-0 margin. Game 3 went the distance as both players had choppy offense this time. Sweetheart came close to a win but the 14 refused to fall at the top right. Charlton then made the final pair to secure the series at 3-0. Game 4 was a little reversed with a slow start and a quick up-turn in offense. Charlton made a five-ball run but missed on the 11, then Sweetheart had a four-ball run but scratched on a follow-through as the 15 fell. This gifted Charlton the win and 4-0 series lead. Charlton faded a bit late in game 5, but she still got the win as Sweetheart missed contact on her cut attempt on the 15. Charlton swept the series 5-0 and takes possible league-record 22-2 record from the bracket with her to the Finals. Charlton has three kills this season as Sweetheart is the 140th player to exit the competition.
Sony Center, Queens: Briana v. Mams. The silver cue draws in for 10-ball here. Queens' Briana didn't do much besides leave the 10 at the bottom right on the game 1 break. Southern's Mams played a more dangerous game and was rewarded for that risk with the win to go ahead 1-0 in the series. Play turned choppy in game 2, especially near the end. The Monarchs' Mams thought she had positioning locked up, but she scratched as she made the 9, and the Flames' Briana took the 10 from ball-in-hand to tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw a complete change of pace, as Briana rocked a four-ball run before a bad miss, only for Mams to fire back with a five-ball run-out for the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Mams controlled the pace for most of game 4, but she had a loose grip on her offense. Briana pried it away with a pair of shots at the end for the win, retying the series at 2 to set up a decisive finale. In game 5, Briana had her share of offense, but Mams walked away with a four-ball run-out and 3-2 series win at the end. Mams went 16-8 on the bracket to get to the Finals. Mams is up to four kills this season, with Briana as the 141st eliminated player.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. v. Pedey. More silver cue action is in 7-ball. Commerce's Taylor S. took a gamble in the middle of game 1, and it paid with a 5-7 combination dropping at the top left for the win to take a 1-0 series lead over Diamond's Pedey. The Tradewinds' Taylor S. had a more dynamic break in game 2, getting the 7 to drop at the bottom side for the instant win and 2-0 series lead over the Gems' Pedey. Taylor S. couldn't quite copy the result in game 3, just glancing the 7 off the bottom side's edge. Pedey tried to keep up, but Taylor S. got this win on a three-ball run-out to seal the series at 3-0. Taylor S. again proved lethal on the break, this time getting the 7 to roll into the bottom left to extend her advantage to 4-0 after game 4. Pedey had a chance to pick up game 5 at the end, but he rattled the 7 out of the top left. Taylor S. buried to the bottom left for the 5-0 series sweep, and she takes an 18-6 record to the Finals. Pedey is the 142nd player to fall, and Taylor S. has a league-leading eight kills.
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Gradley v. Niki. The visitor begins a road doubleheader in Accuracy with the red cue. Boston's Gradley stood tall despite some early shakiness in game 1. Commerce's Niki fell apart by the end, and Gradley took the 1-0 series lead with a 2-4 win. The Swifts' Gradley scratched on the break in game 2, but the Tradewinds' Niki failed to protect her advantage. A pair of misses from Niki was all Gradley needed to wrap up a 1-2 win that pushed his series lead to 2-0. Both players stayed perfect deep into game 3, and then both missed on the same turn. Gradley continued to slip after that, allowing Niki to get her first win by a 1-3 score to cut the series to 2-1. Niki made a ball on the game 4 break and earned the last-shot advantage. It came in handy, as Gradley scratched late in the game to gift the win away to Niki by a 3-4 score. Niki tied the series at 2. Niki scratched on the break in game 5, and while Gradley briefly fell into a tie, Niki's late miss would be costly. Gradley won 1-2 and took the series 3-2, completing a bracket at the minimum 15-9 record to advance to the Finals.
Sony Center, Queens: Violetta v. Niki. Both players are in their second series to close out today with the red cue in 12-ball. Queens' Violetta made a pair on the break in game 1, but her positioning was not strong. Commerce's Niki worked through the rack with relative ease for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Niki scratched on the break and gave away a wild-card ball in game 2, but the Flames' Violetta couldn't get positioning on her last ball. Niki charged after Violetta also gave up a wild-card ball, with Niki's four-ball run-out enough for the win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Game 3 saw Niki make one of each on the break, and then turn it into a four-ball run on stripes. Violetta couldn't get anything going, and Niki won with her final pair a few turns later to clinch the series at 3-0. Violetta finally got on the board with a win in game 4, beating Niki in the race around the table. Both players needed better positioning, but Violetta made hers work for the win to cut Niki's lead to 3-1 in the series. Violetta held the lead for much of game 5, but setting up at the top side took too long, as Niki picked off her last shot to the bottom side for the win and 4-1 series win. Niki's punched her ticket to the finals with an 18-6 records. Niki also now has two kills this season as Violetta becomes the 143rd player out of action. The Flames are also out as a team, with Niki recording the league's 10th team-kill.
The middle day of the Bracket Finals will be tomorrow.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Lionel v. Dani. The blue cue's battle for 10-ball superiority leads the day. North Modernistic's Lionel started a little slow in game 1, as he couldn't get much offense going. Viewpoint Sound's Dani stepped up with a four-ball run-out capped by a deflection off the 7 to put the 10 in the bottom right for the 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Dani illegally potted the 3 in game 2, shifting possession to the Nighthawks' Lionel, who made a pair of shots. Dani then couldn't get contact on the 5, and Lionel made another pair for the win with a 6-10 combination to the top right serving to tie the series at 1. Dani bounced back just fine in a close game 3. Both players missed the 10 once this time, but Dani cut it to the bottom right to pull ahead 2-1 in the series over Lionel. Game 4 saw a few more interesting choices by the players. Dani elected to play respectfully with a chance at the 8-10 combination, electing to play the cue as it was. Lionel responded with a three-ball run-out immediately after for the win to tie the series again at 2. Both players started game 5 on a three-ball run. Dani's miss on the 6 would be pivotal, as Lionel made the 6-10 combination to the top right on his second turn for the win and 3-2 series win. Lionel heads to the Finals after going 15-6 on the bracket.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Dreamy v. Violetta. Sparky opponents go in Rotation with the silver cue. Queens' Violetta surged ahead with a double-pot early in game 1, but Swordpoint's Dreamy refused to go quietly. Dreamy tied it on a three-ball run and won 8-7 on her final turn to take the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 started out similarly close between the two players. The Flames' Violetta twice scratched while trying to take the 8, and eventually the Blades' Dreamy emerged on a four-ball run-out for the win to pull ahead 2-0 in the series. Violetta kept herself in the series in game 3, taking a rather dominant win as Dreamy couldn't get any traction on offense. Violetta won 8-2, cutting Dreamy's advantage to 2-1. Violetta wasn't done in game 4 either, smashing a creative run early on to take a firm grasp on the lead. Dreamy again struggled to attack, and Violetta won 8-3 to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Violetta tried to keep up in game 5, but Dreamy made the final six balls over two turns for a 9-3 win, an exclamation finish to her 3-2 series win. Dreamy is headed to the Finals with a 16-8 record on the bracket.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Brownie v. Katharine. The blue cue is back for Rotation in this appearance. Whitewater's Katharine tore through the rack in game 1, with a five-ball run on her second turn highlighting the 8-0 win over Royal's Brownie. Katharine holds a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Brownie didn't stay down for long in game 2, taking a large portion of the early offense and adding a three-ball run to strengthen her lead. The Shores' Katharine couldn't catch up, and Brownie won 8-3 to tie the series at 1. A chaotic start to game 3 saw the players on even terms, but a five-ball run staked Brownie to a big lead after that. Katharine had no response as Brownie sealed the win at 8-2 to move ahead 2-1 in the series. Katharine pulled far ahead in game 4 after a fairly smooth start. Brownie challenged with a late three-ball run, but Katharine made the 14 to the top side for the 8-6 win to retie the series at 2. Brownie surged at the start, but Katharine dominated the middle of game 5 and held a lead. Brownie then found a three-ball run-out for the 8-6 win and 3-2 series win. Brownie heads to the Finals after posting an 18-6 record on the bracket. Brownie earned her third kill of the season to make Katharine the 138th eliminated player.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Hoot v. Stephanie. The red cue's first title battle is in 15-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot came out hot in game 1 and didn't cool much. Southridge's Stephanie gave a good challenge, but Hoot sealed the win with a three-ball run-out for the 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Hoot had a decent share of offense, but less command hurt him in game 2. The Defenders' Stephanie also slipped in quality, but a little luck on her miss on the 12 led to the 15 draining at the top right for the win to tie the series at 1. Stephanie had some frustrations on some of her game 3 shots, particularly when the 15 didn't drop at the bottom right. Hoot used that to his advantage, deflecting off the 7 to get the win and 2-1 series lead with the early finish. Hoot dropped the hammer early in game 4, smashing a four-ball run-out capped by an 8-15 combination to the top right to clinch the series at 3-1 over Stephanie. Hoot had a lot of the offense in game 5, but Stephanie got a little fortunate as her miss on the 15 landed in the top side on a two-rail bank. Hoot still won the series 3-2 to get to the Finals with a 17-7 record from the bracket. Hoot's fourth kill of the season left Stephanie as the 139th player out of the Tournament, as well as a team-kill on the Defenders, who are ninth out.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: A. Charlton v. Sweetheart. More 15-ball follows with the blue cue. Boston's Sweetheart erred three times early in game 1, eventually allowing Archtown's A. Charlton to pot the 5-15 combination from ball-in-hand to the top right. Charlton is up 1-0 in the series. The Arrows' Charlton needed only three shots in game 2 to get the win, making a ball on the break and deflecting off the 2 to push the 15 to the bottom right. The quick results put her ahead of the Swifts' Sweetheart by a 2-0 margin. Game 3 went the distance as both players had choppy offense this time. Sweetheart came close to a win but the 14 refused to fall at the top right. Charlton then made the final pair to secure the series at 3-0. Game 4 was a little reversed with a slow start and a quick up-turn in offense. Charlton made a five-ball run but missed on the 11, then Sweetheart had a four-ball run but scratched on a follow-through as the 15 fell. This gifted Charlton the win and 4-0 series lead. Charlton faded a bit late in game 5, but she still got the win as Sweetheart missed contact on her cut attempt on the 15. Charlton swept the series 5-0 and takes possible league-record 22-2 record from the bracket with her to the Finals. Charlton has three kills this season as Sweetheart is the 140th player to exit the competition.
Sony Center, Queens: Briana v. Mams. The silver cue draws in for 10-ball here. Queens' Briana didn't do much besides leave the 10 at the bottom right on the game 1 break. Southern's Mams played a more dangerous game and was rewarded for that risk with the win to go ahead 1-0 in the series. Play turned choppy in game 2, especially near the end. The Monarchs' Mams thought she had positioning locked up, but she scratched as she made the 9, and the Flames' Briana took the 10 from ball-in-hand to tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw a complete change of pace, as Briana rocked a four-ball run before a bad miss, only for Mams to fire back with a five-ball run-out for the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Mams controlled the pace for most of game 4, but she had a loose grip on her offense. Briana pried it away with a pair of shots at the end for the win, retying the series at 2 to set up a decisive finale. In game 5, Briana had her share of offense, but Mams walked away with a four-ball run-out and 3-2 series win at the end. Mams went 16-8 on the bracket to get to the Finals. Mams is up to four kills this season, with Briana as the 141st eliminated player.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. v. Pedey. More silver cue action is in 7-ball. Commerce's Taylor S. took a gamble in the middle of game 1, and it paid with a 5-7 combination dropping at the top left for the win to take a 1-0 series lead over Diamond's Pedey. The Tradewinds' Taylor S. had a more dynamic break in game 2, getting the 7 to drop at the bottom side for the instant win and 2-0 series lead over the Gems' Pedey. Taylor S. couldn't quite copy the result in game 3, just glancing the 7 off the bottom side's edge. Pedey tried to keep up, but Taylor S. got this win on a three-ball run-out to seal the series at 3-0. Taylor S. again proved lethal on the break, this time getting the 7 to roll into the bottom left to extend her advantage to 4-0 after game 4. Pedey had a chance to pick up game 5 at the end, but he rattled the 7 out of the top left. Taylor S. buried to the bottom left for the 5-0 series sweep, and she takes an 18-6 record to the Finals. Pedey is the 142nd player to fall, and Taylor S. has a league-leading eight kills.
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Gradley v. Niki. The visitor begins a road doubleheader in Accuracy with the red cue. Boston's Gradley stood tall despite some early shakiness in game 1. Commerce's Niki fell apart by the end, and Gradley took the 1-0 series lead with a 2-4 win. The Swifts' Gradley scratched on the break in game 2, but the Tradewinds' Niki failed to protect her advantage. A pair of misses from Niki was all Gradley needed to wrap up a 1-2 win that pushed his series lead to 2-0. Both players stayed perfect deep into game 3, and then both missed on the same turn. Gradley continued to slip after that, allowing Niki to get her first win by a 1-3 score to cut the series to 2-1. Niki made a ball on the game 4 break and earned the last-shot advantage. It came in handy, as Gradley scratched late in the game to gift the win away to Niki by a 3-4 score. Niki tied the series at 2. Niki scratched on the break in game 5, and while Gradley briefly fell into a tie, Niki's late miss would be costly. Gradley won 1-2 and took the series 3-2, completing a bracket at the minimum 15-9 record to advance to the Finals.
Sony Center, Queens: Violetta v. Niki. Both players are in their second series to close out today with the red cue in 12-ball. Queens' Violetta made a pair on the break in game 1, but her positioning was not strong. Commerce's Niki worked through the rack with relative ease for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Niki scratched on the break and gave away a wild-card ball in game 2, but the Flames' Violetta couldn't get positioning on her last ball. Niki charged after Violetta also gave up a wild-card ball, with Niki's four-ball run-out enough for the win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Game 3 saw Niki make one of each on the break, and then turn it into a four-ball run on stripes. Violetta couldn't get anything going, and Niki won with her final pair a few turns later to clinch the series at 3-0. Violetta finally got on the board with a win in game 4, beating Niki in the race around the table. Both players needed better positioning, but Violetta made hers work for the win to cut Niki's lead to 3-1 in the series. Violetta held the lead for much of game 5, but setting up at the top side took too long, as Niki picked off her last shot to the bottom side for the win and 4-1 series win. Niki's punched her ticket to the finals with an 18-6 records. Niki also now has two kills this season as Violetta becomes the 143rd player out of action. The Flames are also out as a team, with Niki recording the league's 10th team-kill.
The middle day of the Bracket Finals will be tomorrow.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Tournament 2019 - Bracket Semifinals Day 6
The final day of the Bracket Semifinals is here. We begin with...
Intel Center, Diamond: Pedey v. Lexi. The silver cue starts the festivities in 7-ball. Diamond's Pedey kicked off the day perfectly, sinking the 7 to the bottom left on the game 1 break after a couple of nice deflections got it on track. He leads Harrison's Lexi by a 1-0 margin in the series. Game 2 took a little more effort on both sides. The Gems' Pedey had a little offense, but the Specters' Lexi got the win on a decoy cut on the 5 that ended up with the cue bumping the 7 to the top right for the win to tie the series at 1. The ever-evolving styles in game 3 turned into a big run for Pedey, as he ripped a six-ball run-out for the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Lexi stayed in it with a massive seven-ball run on her second turn of game 4 after a slow start from Pedey. Lexi's win retied the series at 2 to set up a decisive finale. Lexi made only mistake in game 5, scratching on the break, but it was enough to set up Pedey for an incredible six-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win. Pedey heads out on the road to visit Commerce Tradewinds star Taylor S. in the bracket finals. Lexi is the 128th eliminated player and the second to fall to Pedey.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Nightfur v. Oreo. Longtime veterans clash in 8-ball with the blue cue. Royal's Nightfur couldn't get anything going at the start of game 1, but Terrace City's Oreo gave away collateral damage on her first turn. Nightfur then rallied for a seven-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Nightfur didn't have a dominant stretch in game 2, allowing the Knights' Oreo to be much more competitive. Oreo made good on that with a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1. Oreo was good again in game 3, striking on the break at first. Nightfur responded with a four-ball run, but Oreo managed a six-ball run-out at the end for the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Nightfur got a little closer to victory in game 4, but she couldn't make her last ball. Oreo rallied from behind on a three-ball run-out for the win and 3-1 series lead. Oreo stormed ahead on a four-ball run in game 5, and Nightfur never covered that damage before Oreo won again to finish the series at 4-1. Oreo will play in the bracket finals. Oreo got her first kill of the season to make Nightfur the 129th player out of the Tournament.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Hoot v. Jake. The silver cue is back for 13-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot was out of position and not playing all that well in game 1, but Royal's Jake scratched as he made the 8 on a three-ball run, and Hoot ended up with the win. Hoot leads the series 1-0. The Crowns' Jake again surged only to take an ill-timed scratch in game 2. This one wasn't an instant loss, but it paved the way for the Meteors' Hoot to pick up four shots over two turns for the win and 2-0 series lead. Hoot made a pair of solids on the game 3 break. Jake had to address the defense of the 8 at the top right at some point, but his bank on the 15 was too heavy-handed and dropped the 8 illegally to give away the win and the series. Hoot clinched at 3-0. Jake finally got a win for himself in game 4, as both he and Hoot surrendered possession a little too easily at times. Jake finally won with a pair of late shots, while Hoot continues to lead at 3-1. Jake rallied again for the win in game 5, picking off a five-ball run-out as Hoot struggled to convert on good positioning. Hoot still won the series 3-2, and he'll travel to Golden to face the Pilots' Strut in the bracket finals. Hoot's third kill of the year made Jake the 130th player to exit the Tournament.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Princess v. Leonette. The venue doubleheader ends with the red cue playing 7-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Princess made a pair on the break and three-ball run at the end for a strong win and 1-0 series lead over Pacific's Leonette. The Meteors' Princess had another good break to start game 2, but she needed the Volcanoes' Leonette to miss contact on the 3 later on. Princess then took a three-ball run-out from ball-in-hand for the win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. In game 3, a pair of three-ball runs wasn't quite enough for Princess when she missed on the 7. Leonette poached the win at the top right to cut the series to 2-1. Leonette never let Princess get to the table in game 4, as Leonette ran the table from the break for the win. This tied the series at 2. Princess rallied on a six-ball run in game 5, but the 7 proved elusive until she made it three turns later after Leonette missed it. Princess barely won the series 3-2 and will host Fluffina of the Infinity Torpedoes in the bracket finals. Leonette is the 131st eliminated player, while Princess earned her third kill. The Volcanoes are the sixth eliminated team as well.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Smudge v. Stephanie. The red cue stays in action for 15-ball. Infinity's Smudge tried to stay aggressive throughout game 1, but a softer, creative touch from Southridge's Stephanie fared better at the end to earn her the win and 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Stephanie tallied thirteen balls over the first three turns of game 2, but the dominant effort would go to waste. The Torpedoes' Smudge the last two balls on separate turns for the win to tie the series at 1 against all odds. Smudge had a much more balanced game 3 in her grip with a three-ball run-out, but she scratched at the end, gifting the win away to Stephanie, who now holds a 2-1 series lead. A back-and-forth battle ensued in game 4, but it was Smudge who came out ahead with a clean three-ball run-out this time as she retied the series at 2 against Stephanie. Game 5 started with a similar choppy cadence, but Stephanie brought it to a stunning end with a 5-15 combination double-pot. The 5 dropped at the bottom side, and the 15 deflected off the 10 and 13 en route to the top right for the win and 3-2 series win to finish off Smudge. Stephanie will visit Viewpoint Sound Meteors leader Hoot in the bracket finals. Stephanie's first kill made Smudge the 132nd player to exit the competition.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby v. Dominic. The blue cue takes a turn in 7-ball. Eastside's Cubby had a good share of the offense, although he spread it out over multiple turns. Southern's Dominic was a little out of sync with his plays, and Cubby grabbed the final pair for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Sharks' Cubby quickly doubled up with a triple-pot on the game 2 break, putting the 5 down in the top right, the 6 in the top left, and the important 7 in the bottom left for a 2-0 advantage over the Monarchs' Dominic. Cubby sealed the series at 3-0 nearly as quickly in game 3. He made the 4 to the bottom right and 5 to the bottom side on the break, and then won with a 1-7 combination to the top right on the second shot to finish off Dominic. Cubby finally missed a shot in game 4, but Dominic was too cold to make anything himself. Cubby went on to pot a six-ball run-out for the win that stretched his series lead to 4-0 with his 19th unanswered ball. Cubby went empty on the break in game 5, and Dominic avoided the sweep with a 1-7 combination to the bottom side. Cubby's 4-1 series win sets him up to host club-mate Marsell of the Whitewater Shores in the bracket finals. Cubby earned his first kill this season, while Dominic is the 133rd player to be eliminated.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Wild Thing v. Leonardo. Eastern Hills tough guys clash in Accuracy with the silver cue. Stonebridge's Wild Thing had a pair of misses early in game 1, and it would be costly, as Diamond's Leonardo didn't miss until the final ball. Leonardo won 1-2 and took a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Leonardo wouldn't budge in game 2, and he made a strong play near the end to force the Wolves' Wild Thing into a miss. Leonardo walked with a 0-1 win to stretch his series lead to 2-0. Wild Thing, facing elimination, played desperate in game 3. It worked as he dragged Leonardo into a late tie, but Wild Thing failed to force overtime, and Leonardo won 3-4 to clinch the series at 3-0. Leonardo continued to find success, although he took a much more relaxed approach in game 4. Wild Thing, well past the point of apathy, didn't take advantage of Leonardo's sloppiness in the 5-6 game that put Leonardo up 4-0 in the series. Leonardo finished the 5-0 series sweep with another bout of perfection, knocking off Wild Thing by a 0-3 score this time. Leonardo will visit Harrison Specters captain Twinkie II in the bracket finals. Wild Thing is the 134th player out of the Tournament, and Leonardo now has his first kill, which also served as the seventh team-kill on the Gems.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Jason V. v. Chimpy. The blue cue has the last two series today, beginning with this one in 8-ball. Oceanside's Jason V. was in the midst of a rally in game 1 when he hurt his finger. Westside's Chimpy answered on a three-ball run for the win and 1-0 series lead in what could become a lopsided battle. The Waves' Jason V. picked up a quick five-ball run in game 2, but he wasn't able to beat defense at the bottom right from the Rockers' Chimpy. In the end, Chimpy had the final pair of shots for the win and 2-0 series lead. Jason V. had the advantage through much of game 3, but a late trio of scratches delayed him too long. Chimpy pushed for a four-ball run-out, ending on a wicked cut of the 8 to the bottom right for the win that secured the series at 3-0. Jason V. only had two successful turns in game 4, but they were composed of a five-ball run and a three-ball run-out to finally get a win over Chimpy, who remains ahead 3-1 in the series. Chimpy let Jason V. hang around far too long in a slow-moving game 5. Jason V. stormed to the win on a seven-ball run-out, although Chimpy advanced to visit Oreo of the Urban rival Terrace City Knights in the bracket finals on a 3-2 series win. Jason V. is the 135th player to exit the Tournament, while Chimpy finally got his first kill. The Waves are the eighth team out of action as Chimpy picked up the team kill.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Isabella v. Slinks. The round ends with the blue cue playing Accuracy. Atlantic's Isabella had a rotten start to game 1, but she dragged Westside's Slinks down near the end. Isabella then locked up the win on her second try, the 4-5 result putting her ahead 1-0 in the series. The Pirates' Isabella almost kept it perfect in game 2, but a late miss would spoil that attempt. She still won 1-4 over the Rockers' Slinks, which gave Isabella a 2-0 series lead. Slinks wasted too many opportunities to get back into game 3, as a pair of scratches and misses that canceled out Isabella's mistakes led to the host taking a 2-5 win to secure the series at 3-0. Isabella started well with a pair on the break in game 4, but a miss and a scratch was all it took for her to take the loss. Slinks locked up a 0-2 win to cut the series to 3-1. Isabella wasn't up for game 5 either, falling apart in the middle as Slinks closed with a 0-3 win. Isabella's 3-2 series win gets her to a road series in the bracket finals against the Capital City Sharpshooters' Lorde. Isabella picked up her first kill this season, while Slinks is the 136th player to exit the Tournament.
That's all for the bracket semifinals. The bracket finals run from Saturday through Monday as bids for the Finals will finally be on the line.
Intel Center, Diamond: Pedey v. Lexi. The silver cue starts the festivities in 7-ball. Diamond's Pedey kicked off the day perfectly, sinking the 7 to the bottom left on the game 1 break after a couple of nice deflections got it on track. He leads Harrison's Lexi by a 1-0 margin in the series. Game 2 took a little more effort on both sides. The Gems' Pedey had a little offense, but the Specters' Lexi got the win on a decoy cut on the 5 that ended up with the cue bumping the 7 to the top right for the win to tie the series at 1. The ever-evolving styles in game 3 turned into a big run for Pedey, as he ripped a six-ball run-out for the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Lexi stayed in it with a massive seven-ball run on her second turn of game 4 after a slow start from Pedey. Lexi's win retied the series at 2 to set up a decisive finale. Lexi made only mistake in game 5, scratching on the break, but it was enough to set up Pedey for an incredible six-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win. Pedey heads out on the road to visit Commerce Tradewinds star Taylor S. in the bracket finals. Lexi is the 128th eliminated player and the second to fall to Pedey.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Nightfur v. Oreo. Longtime veterans clash in 8-ball with the blue cue. Royal's Nightfur couldn't get anything going at the start of game 1, but Terrace City's Oreo gave away collateral damage on her first turn. Nightfur then rallied for a seven-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Nightfur didn't have a dominant stretch in game 2, allowing the Knights' Oreo to be much more competitive. Oreo made good on that with a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1. Oreo was good again in game 3, striking on the break at first. Nightfur responded with a four-ball run, but Oreo managed a six-ball run-out at the end for the win to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. Nightfur got a little closer to victory in game 4, but she couldn't make her last ball. Oreo rallied from behind on a three-ball run-out for the win and 3-1 series lead. Oreo stormed ahead on a four-ball run in game 5, and Nightfur never covered that damage before Oreo won again to finish the series at 4-1. Oreo will play in the bracket finals. Oreo got her first kill of the season to make Nightfur the 129th player out of the Tournament.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Hoot v. Jake. The silver cue is back for 13-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot was out of position and not playing all that well in game 1, but Royal's Jake scratched as he made the 8 on a three-ball run, and Hoot ended up with the win. Hoot leads the series 1-0. The Crowns' Jake again surged only to take an ill-timed scratch in game 2. This one wasn't an instant loss, but it paved the way for the Meteors' Hoot to pick up four shots over two turns for the win and 2-0 series lead. Hoot made a pair of solids on the game 3 break. Jake had to address the defense of the 8 at the top right at some point, but his bank on the 15 was too heavy-handed and dropped the 8 illegally to give away the win and the series. Hoot clinched at 3-0. Jake finally got a win for himself in game 4, as both he and Hoot surrendered possession a little too easily at times. Jake finally won with a pair of late shots, while Hoot continues to lead at 3-1. Jake rallied again for the win in game 5, picking off a five-ball run-out as Hoot struggled to convert on good positioning. Hoot still won the series 3-2, and he'll travel to Golden to face the Pilots' Strut in the bracket finals. Hoot's third kill of the year made Jake the 130th player to exit the Tournament.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Princess v. Leonette. The venue doubleheader ends with the red cue playing 7-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Princess made a pair on the break and three-ball run at the end for a strong win and 1-0 series lead over Pacific's Leonette. The Meteors' Princess had another good break to start game 2, but she needed the Volcanoes' Leonette to miss contact on the 3 later on. Princess then took a three-ball run-out from ball-in-hand for the win to move ahead 2-0 in the series. In game 3, a pair of three-ball runs wasn't quite enough for Princess when she missed on the 7. Leonette poached the win at the top right to cut the series to 2-1. Leonette never let Princess get to the table in game 4, as Leonette ran the table from the break for the win. This tied the series at 2. Princess rallied on a six-ball run in game 5, but the 7 proved elusive until she made it three turns later after Leonette missed it. Princess barely won the series 3-2 and will host Fluffina of the Infinity Torpedoes in the bracket finals. Leonette is the 131st eliminated player, while Princess earned her third kill. The Volcanoes are the sixth eliminated team as well.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Smudge v. Stephanie. The red cue stays in action for 15-ball. Infinity's Smudge tried to stay aggressive throughout game 1, but a softer, creative touch from Southridge's Stephanie fared better at the end to earn her the win and 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Stephanie tallied thirteen balls over the first three turns of game 2, but the dominant effort would go to waste. The Torpedoes' Smudge the last two balls on separate turns for the win to tie the series at 1 against all odds. Smudge had a much more balanced game 3 in her grip with a three-ball run-out, but she scratched at the end, gifting the win away to Stephanie, who now holds a 2-1 series lead. A back-and-forth battle ensued in game 4, but it was Smudge who came out ahead with a clean three-ball run-out this time as she retied the series at 2 against Stephanie. Game 5 started with a similar choppy cadence, but Stephanie brought it to a stunning end with a 5-15 combination double-pot. The 5 dropped at the bottom side, and the 15 deflected off the 10 and 13 en route to the top right for the win and 3-2 series win to finish off Smudge. Stephanie will visit Viewpoint Sound Meteors leader Hoot in the bracket finals. Stephanie's first kill made Smudge the 132nd player to exit the competition.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby v. Dominic. The blue cue takes a turn in 7-ball. Eastside's Cubby had a good share of the offense, although he spread it out over multiple turns. Southern's Dominic was a little out of sync with his plays, and Cubby grabbed the final pair for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Sharks' Cubby quickly doubled up with a triple-pot on the game 2 break, putting the 5 down in the top right, the 6 in the top left, and the important 7 in the bottom left for a 2-0 advantage over the Monarchs' Dominic. Cubby sealed the series at 3-0 nearly as quickly in game 3. He made the 4 to the bottom right and 5 to the bottom side on the break, and then won with a 1-7 combination to the top right on the second shot to finish off Dominic. Cubby finally missed a shot in game 4, but Dominic was too cold to make anything himself. Cubby went on to pot a six-ball run-out for the win that stretched his series lead to 4-0 with his 19th unanswered ball. Cubby went empty on the break in game 5, and Dominic avoided the sweep with a 1-7 combination to the bottom side. Cubby's 4-1 series win sets him up to host club-mate Marsell of the Whitewater Shores in the bracket finals. Cubby earned his first kill this season, while Dominic is the 133rd player to be eliminated.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Wild Thing v. Leonardo. Eastern Hills tough guys clash in Accuracy with the silver cue. Stonebridge's Wild Thing had a pair of misses early in game 1, and it would be costly, as Diamond's Leonardo didn't miss until the final ball. Leonardo won 1-2 and took a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Leonardo wouldn't budge in game 2, and he made a strong play near the end to force the Wolves' Wild Thing into a miss. Leonardo walked with a 0-1 win to stretch his series lead to 2-0. Wild Thing, facing elimination, played desperate in game 3. It worked as he dragged Leonardo into a late tie, but Wild Thing failed to force overtime, and Leonardo won 3-4 to clinch the series at 3-0. Leonardo continued to find success, although he took a much more relaxed approach in game 4. Wild Thing, well past the point of apathy, didn't take advantage of Leonardo's sloppiness in the 5-6 game that put Leonardo up 4-0 in the series. Leonardo finished the 5-0 series sweep with another bout of perfection, knocking off Wild Thing by a 0-3 score this time. Leonardo will visit Harrison Specters captain Twinkie II in the bracket finals. Wild Thing is the 134th player out of the Tournament, and Leonardo now has his first kill, which also served as the seventh team-kill on the Gems.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Jason V. v. Chimpy. The blue cue has the last two series today, beginning with this one in 8-ball. Oceanside's Jason V. was in the midst of a rally in game 1 when he hurt his finger. Westside's Chimpy answered on a three-ball run for the win and 1-0 series lead in what could become a lopsided battle. The Waves' Jason V. picked up a quick five-ball run in game 2, but he wasn't able to beat defense at the bottom right from the Rockers' Chimpy. In the end, Chimpy had the final pair of shots for the win and 2-0 series lead. Jason V. had the advantage through much of game 3, but a late trio of scratches delayed him too long. Chimpy pushed for a four-ball run-out, ending on a wicked cut of the 8 to the bottom right for the win that secured the series at 3-0. Jason V. only had two successful turns in game 4, but they were composed of a five-ball run and a three-ball run-out to finally get a win over Chimpy, who remains ahead 3-1 in the series. Chimpy let Jason V. hang around far too long in a slow-moving game 5. Jason V. stormed to the win on a seven-ball run-out, although Chimpy advanced to visit Oreo of the Urban rival Terrace City Knights in the bracket finals on a 3-2 series win. Jason V. is the 135th player to exit the Tournament, while Chimpy finally got his first kill. The Waves are the eighth team out of action as Chimpy picked up the team kill.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Isabella v. Slinks. The round ends with the blue cue playing Accuracy. Atlantic's Isabella had a rotten start to game 1, but she dragged Westside's Slinks down near the end. Isabella then locked up the win on her second try, the 4-5 result putting her ahead 1-0 in the series. The Pirates' Isabella almost kept it perfect in game 2, but a late miss would spoil that attempt. She still won 1-4 over the Rockers' Slinks, which gave Isabella a 2-0 series lead. Slinks wasted too many opportunities to get back into game 3, as a pair of scratches and misses that canceled out Isabella's mistakes led to the host taking a 2-5 win to secure the series at 3-0. Isabella started well with a pair on the break in game 4, but a miss and a scratch was all it took for her to take the loss. Slinks locked up a 0-2 win to cut the series to 3-1. Isabella wasn't up for game 5 either, falling apart in the middle as Slinks closed with a 0-3 win. Isabella's 3-2 series win gets her to a road series in the bracket finals against the Capital City Sharpshooters' Lorde. Isabella picked up her first kill this season, while Slinks is the 136th player to exit the Tournament.
That's all for the bracket semifinals. The bracket finals run from Saturday through Monday as bids for the Finals will finally be on the line.
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