With his fast and loose style, Rick Stanley of Austin and the laid-back Lanny Herrin of Houston shared the 7-8th spots o­n the charts.  These “giant killers” forced Jeremy Jones and Gabe Owen to the o­ne-loss side with hill-hill victories, respectively.Scott Kephart of San Antonio and David Henson of Pflugerville are always in the money and shot “straight as Springfield rifles” to jump into the 5-6th positions.

Jeremy Jones started his quest with triumphs over Jimmy Martinez and Tony Hinojosa o­nly to lose his first match to Rick Stanley.  o­n the o­ne-loss side Jones was pronounced “the hill-hill king” with wins over Bill Kester 7-1, James Davis Sr. 7-6, James Davis Jr. 7-6, Lanny Herrin 7-3, and David Henson 7-6.  All those crunch matches took their toll as Jones lost his final match to his good friend, Gabe Owen, for a commendable 4th place finish.Sylver Ochoa of McAllen, the o­nly player to win two events in succession earlier this year, looked like he was o­n his way again as he started his run with conquests over Steve Espinosa, Robert Almaraz, Martin Salinas, Brian Jones, and David Henson when he was derailed by Cliff Joyner in the finals of the winners’ bracket.  In the finals of the brutal bracket, Gabe Owen proved too much for Ochoa as he was sent to the spectator’s gallery with a score of 7-2 and a fine 3rd-place finish.Gabe Owen of Tulsa started with victories over Rick Larque and Steve Smith when Lanny Herrin sent him to the other side after a 9-8 victory.  Owen proved what he is made of as he went to work with wins over Fred Sanchez, Jeremy Owens, Brian Jones, Rick Stanley, Scott Kephart, Jeremy Jones, and Sylver Ochoa to reach the finals.

Cliff Joyner of Houston, considered o­ne of the best o­ne-pocket players in the world, showed he can come with it in all games as he cruised to the hot seat with victories over Charlie Bryant, Mike Adair, Jeremy Owens, Lanny Herrin, Scott Kephart, and Sylver Ochoa.  With Gabe Owen coming off the o­ne-loss side, it was going to be a great final match.

With spectacular runs, jumps, and safety play by both players, it’s a shame someone had to lose, but Joyner ruled supreme as he defeated Owen in a very close match 9-7.  Congratulations to both these fine players as this match could be used as an instructional o­n how to really play 9-ball!A special thanks to Bob Hamilton (GM-Culebra), Courtney, and their staff for hosting this great event.  Also, a big thanks to the new tour sponsors, Ruben Barrera with Alamo Pest Control, Martin Salinas with Alamo Courier Service, and Wayne Richards and Robert Almaraz with Quality Used Cars.Don’t forget about the Houston Open o­n April 24-25, 2004, at Legends in League City and the “Banana” Rodriguez Memorial o­ne Pocket Tournament at Banana’s Billiards in San Antonio o­n May 7-9.  See you next month in McAllen o­n May 1-2!

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