By Larry Eans:

The final installment of the King of the Hill Series at the Northern Lounge is complete and now there is a King of the 7's. Running through the entire field without dropping a set was Phoenix' Matt Koskella. Matt showed great poise and determination as he took on each opponent to earn the King of the 7's title.

Despite Super Bowl weekend with our home town Arizona Cardinals playing for the highest honor in the NFL, 13 men and 4 women representing Tucson, Flagstaff, and the greater Phoenix Metro area came to stake their claim for this title. There were many great 7's that were disappointingly absent from this unique chance to play their peers without a handicap or a spot. The format this weekend brought competitors from the largest category in Arizona Ratings, the 7's, to play a race to eight games of nine-ball. The entry for this challenge was $100.00 with optional side pots of $25.00 & $50.00.

Matt started his quest after his first round bye with a hill-hill win over Tucson's own David Carrico Sr. (8-7), win over Charlie Delgado(8-3), and Dan Young(8-4). Justin Wethington came through the bottom bracket to challenge Matt for the hot seat and a guaranteed third place finish for its victor. Both gentlemen started off slow trading misses and safeties in the first 4 games before settling down and getting into stroke. Matt was able to pick up the lead and hold onto it for an 8-6 win.

Grinding his way through the loser's bracket for a chance to avenge his third round loss at the hands of Matt was Charlie Delgado. He worked his way into the money matches with a hill-hill win over Dan Young giving Dan 4th place and $150.00. Standing in his was for a trip to the finals was Justin, fresh off a tight hot seat loss. Charlie continued his run controlling the match all the way cruising to an 8-2 win and leaving Justin with a third place finish and $300.

The finals would be Matt vs. Charlie in a single race to eleven games. The match was close after nine games despite each player's trading a couple of scratches and unfortunate rolls. In game ten Matt seemed to catch a gear and captured 6 of the last 7 games to take down the tournament and title. Props go out to Charlie as he played outstanding all day and earned $500 for his second place finish. 1st Place earned Matt a cool $1375.00 and all his bills paid for in the month of February. I believe I heard him say he was going to Disneyland!

I would like to give a special thank you to Dale Teague of Teague Custom Cues. Dale came unannounced with a custom cue he just completed using a beautiful piece of highly figured cocobolo and wanted me to give it away to one of the tourney participants. This is his way of thanking the players for supporting an event such as this. I had no idea he was going to do this and was overjoyed to put this cue in the hands of one of our players. Seventeen chips were put into a hat and Dan Young's name was drawn as the winner. Dan already plays with a Teague Custom Cue as does the Tournament winner Matt Koskella. Is it any coincidence that half of the money paid out went to players stroking a Teague Custom Cue? Visit Dale's showroom at 10812 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix and test one of his cues out on either a Gold Crown or Valley bar box set up for your use. Dale has just opened a second location inside River City Pockets located at 1107 E. Bell Road in Phoenix or you can visit him online at www.teaguecue.com.

Look for the next series to begin Saturday February 28th with the King of the Hill Series 9's Only Ten Ball.
Previous Series Winners:

Queen of the Eights – Bernie Store
King of the Nine's – Randy 'Scooby' Pelton