"Corner Pockets" Wins Team Tourney

By Bill Rosenberger

For the past 21 years, 8-ball teams have traveled to the small town of Atlantic, IA, for o­ne of the biggest team events in the state.  o­n February 18-20, the highest turnout in the event's history crowded the town of 8,500 and provided o­ne of the most exciting conclusions to date.

The Atlantic Annual Team Tournament drew 59 teams, easily outdoing its previous high of 48.  Barbara Jensen, who has run the event for the past eight years, has always seen the number of teams jump.  "When I took over eight years ago, we had twenty-six teams, so I've built it up over the years."

Jensen, who o­nly has two assistants, runs the event by BCA rules, with teams of 5-6 players.  But the small town does have o­ne big problem-no poolroom.  The solution that has kept the tournament successful for 21 years is that teams compete at more than o­ne venue.  Because of this year's high turnout, five different locations played host, and all but o­ne of the venues were in walking distance for players. 

The tournament, which is held every year during the third weekend of February, also had its most exciting conclusion.  "Corner Pocket," with Jerrod Frideres, Mike Bennett, Jody McLaughlin, Mike Athens, Gordy Peterson, and Wes Nemmers, reached the finals undefeated.  Their opponent, "Wrecking Crew," consisted of Jason Richardson, Jason Chance, Justin Richardson, Jamie Benton, Don McCaughen, and Mike Henderson. 

The format for the finals was double-elimination, and "Wrecking Crew" won the first set easily.  During the five-minute interval, "Corner Pocket" regrouped, and both teams fought down to the wire in the second set with just the 8-ball left o­n the table.  The final ball was worth three points, and whichever team sank it would win.  "Corner Pocket" did just that, as they took home over $4,000 in prize money for their slim but thrilling victory.

Results:
1st Corner Pocket $4,112
2nd Wrecking Crew $2,850
3rd Leisure Time $2,165
4th Tight Pocket $1,560
5th Homers, Pool My Finger $1,095
7th Deuce's, Bendingo $300

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