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Alexander's Sports Bar was the location of the most recent Arizona
State Championship tournament. On September 8th & 9th, 2007,
fifty-four players entered the 5th Annual Arizona State Bar Box
9-Ball Championship at Alexander's. Mitch Ellerman, the Arizona
young gun who has been winning almost everything in sight
recently, defeated Jose Gonzalez in the finals. The tournament
was a double elimination event with all players racing to nine
games on both sides of the bracket.
Mitch ran through the field undefeated. The finals of the
tournament was a one race final extended to thirteen games.
Mitch first met up with and defeated Tony Confalone. In the
second round Mitch defeated Pete Gresh Sr. who was the only
player to get on the hill against Mitch in the entire tournament.
Mitch then defeated Mike Sandoval, Ron Merseal, and Tyson Cole.
Next on the list was Ben Hrabina who Mitch defeated for the hot-seat.
With Mitch now sitting in hot-seat, the focus turned to the one-loss side of the bracket to see who
would be Mitch's opponent in the finals. On the one loss side, Jose Gonzalez was the one making the
noise. Jose defeated Ron Merseal leaving Ron with a fifth place finish. Jose then defeated Rudy
Alameda forcing Rudy to settle for fourth. Jose bested Ben Hrabina leaving Ben in third place. Jose's
run to the Championship then ended when Mitch won the finals match 13-7.
The tournament was co-sponsored by Diamond Billiard Products and Chuck Bobbitt from Visual
Impressions. The State Championship tournament was $1000.00 added. Mitch won $1945.00 for first.
The payouts of the tournament included entries, added money, and four different side pots.
As the finals of the tournament were starting, Dale Teague, of Dale Teague Custom Cues, approached
the tournament desk with a cue valued at $1800.00. Dale instructed the tournament director to give
the cue to winner.
The next Bar Box State Championship for 2007 will be the 3rd Annual Arizona State Bar Box 10-Ball
Championships. This State Championship tournament will also be held at Alexander's. The dates of
this tournament are November 10th & 11th, 2007.