By Tony Fox, in Derby City to cover and photograph the event for P&B:

(Jan. 27, 2012) As the 2012 Derby City  Classic  One Pocket leg entered the final rounds, Brandon Shuff handed defending champion Shane Van Boening (pictured right) a 3-0 defeat. But, in the re-draw for the final six players, Shuff/Van Boening met again. This time Van Boening was the victorious one, heading to a semi final showdown against the legendary one pocket player, Efren Reyes. Unfortunately for Efren, the five time DCC one pocket champion could not win a single game in the race to the championship round. 

Then there was the relatively unknown Joseph Gray (pictured left), twenty five years old, from Oklahoma City, OK, who made it to the championship in his first trip to the Derby City.  Gray won the lag and broke. Van Boening came to the table, made a mistake on his first shot, and Gray ran out.

Around the TV table heads nodded. The "new kid" was clearly legitimate. Stellar safety play by both players dominated the remaining three games. However, Gray could not hold off VanBoening's powerful shot making skills. VanBoening 3, Gray 1.

 Although he lost in the championship round, Gray's stellar play clearly announced he is a one pocket force. He came to the tournament with a goal to win eight matches.  "I exceeded my goal. Second place among these championship legendary players is a good accomplishment. I am happy with my results.  Shane is tough. You can't give a player like him chances."

Van Boening noted that Gray, "belonged in the final."  It was their first meeting in competition, however Shane said, "I've been watching him for the past couple years."

Victory in One Pocket and a second place in the Banks division to John Morra make Shane difficult to beat for the all around title.  "I have been practicing,  I came here to defend my title!" 

John Morra Wins

Derby City Bank Pool

By Tony Fox, in Derby City to cover and photograph the event for P&B:

(Jan. 26, 2011) Toronto Canada's 22-year-old John Morra has won the Bank Pool Leg of the 2012 Derby City Classic. Morra entered the championship round undefeated.

Morra believes a "pretty easy" draw helped him to the final round. Shane Van Boening, last year's One pocket Champion and Master of the Table entered the final round with one loss. Van Boening squeezed out a tough first set to force the championship to a second set. Morra won the first game of the final set.

Controversy marred the second set as Van Boening called a shot that he did not make. However, the ball fell in another pocket. Van Boening began racking the balls as persons from the stand noted Van Boening had not made the shot he called. Ken Shuman intervened. After discussion with both players, he deemed that Van Boening's gathering balls to rack warranted loss of the game.

But Morra's two game lead slowly vanished as VanBoening clawed his way to tie the match. The deciding game was filled with hanging pocket misses, safe play and scratches by both players. In the end, Morra pulled it out for the win.

After winning, Morra said, "Win or lose, I am glad it's over; it was a very stressful match".  Additionally, Morra said he is happy to win his first major tournament on a nine foot table, however he is surprised that the victory came at bank pool.  In preparing for the tournament, he practiced all the disciplines.

Finally, with the bank pool title under his belt, Morra warns, "I have my eye on the Master of the Table win."