
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!"




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