Hunt, Lawless Enjoy 8-Ball Wins

By InsidePOOL Staff

The Planet Pool Tour held its first ever 8-ball event o­n February 12-13 at First Break Billiards in Sterling, VA.  David Hunt and Kathleen Lawless took advantage of the short-race format to take home victories.

While the fields weren't full, the excitement among the players was high, if o­nly because the absence of the usual pro players meant most in attendance had a shot at first place.  The open field drew 57 players, including Joe Pasko, Hunt, and Brandon Shuff.

Hunt was a clear favorite, as he reached the hot seat match after compiling a commanding 25-3 record.  Pasko, too, was o­n fire, as he bested Chris Comstock to reach Hunt in the hot seat.   Hunt wasted no time disposing of Pasko, quickly winning 5-1. 

In the o­ne-loss side, it was Shuff who was doing the damage.  After a first-round defeat to Ed Deska, Shuff reeled off win after win, even ousting Deska later in the tournament.  Pasko and Shuff met in the semifinals, and the two put o­n a clinic.  They battled to hill-hill, and Shuff was able to hang o­n for the win.

In the finals, Hunt was looking to complete an undefeated weekend, and he played impeccably against Shuff.  After rumbling to a 6-1 lead, Shuff was able to get two more o­n the board, but in the end, it was Hunt's weekend, as he won 7-3.

In the ladies' division, 14 players gathered to fight it out in first 8-ball event of the year.  Cleveland's Tina Meraglio and two-time Planet Pool 9-Ball champ Amanda Pasko battled to reach the hot seat match, and Pasko pulled out the decisive win 4-2. 

Meraglio then faced Kathleen Lawless in the semifinals for the right to face Pasko in the final match.  Lawless upset Meraglio 3-0, and then turned the tables o­n Pasko by sweeping her in the finals for the Planet Pool Win. 

Open Results:

1st David Hunt $400

2nd Brandon Shuff $260

3rd Joe Pasko $170

4th Peter Ghostine $120

5th Todd Elkins, Fred Scott $85

Ladies' Results:

1st Kathleen Lawless $170

2nd Amanda Pasko $110

3rd Tina Meraglio $70

4th Janet Keith  $50

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news from the Planet Pool 8- and 9-Ball Tour.