Mitch Ellerman is 2009 State 9-ball Champion

by: Jerry Stuckart - On October 17th - 18th, 2009, the Desert Classic Tour ran it's 8th Stop at Bullshooters in Phoenix, AZ. 38 players came out to play for this potentially final stop of the tour but also to try and take down the 2009 Arizona State 9-ball Championship. This was the 3rd Tour Stop of the tour that was also a State Championship. Straight Pool and 1 Pocket Championships were both won earlier in the year. The players learned that this would not be the final stop of the tour as a 9th stop had just been added at Kolby's on November 15th - 16th for Big Table 10-ball.

8 of the top 10 points leaders on the tour entered this event with hopes of scoring some much needed points. The $4000+ Added Finale tournament seeds the top 8 players. There were some very interesting early matches as #2 and #4 on the points list, Dennis Orender and Mitch Ellerman, drew each other in the 1st round. Mitch was able to take advantage of Dennis's early cold shooting to take the match.

There were many great matches on both sides of the bracket, and at the end of day 1 we had 8 players that made the money and would be returning on Sunday. On the winners side the final 4 were matched up as Mitch Ellerman vs Chester Taylor and Paul Grande vs George Rameriz with Mitch and Paul advancing.

On the 1 loss side Jamie Welch, Chris "The Weasel" Adams, George Teyechea and Brett Huth were still in the hunt, but unfortunately none were able to crack the top 4. Jamie and Chris took 7th/8th place and $100 each. George T. and Brett settled for 5th/6th and $150 each. George Rameriz was knocked out by Chester Taylor and took home $225 for 4th place.

In the hot seat match between Paul Grande and Mitch Ellerman, you saw a less than normal performance by Mitch and great composure by Paul. Paul was able to take advantage of each and every mistake by Mitch and was able to win the case game at hill-hill. This assured that Paul would play in the finals for the 2nd consecutive tour stop, finishing runner-up to Dennis Orender at Pockets in Tucson the previous month.

Chester Taylor, a new comer to the valley and the Desert Classic Tour, was eager to get some revenge against Mitch after his earlier loss. Again Mitch seemed to not be himself as he missed several balls early in the match. Chester got out almost every chance he could get and was able to jump to a good sized lead. In the shorter race to 8, Chester could see the finish line but a few bad rolls let Mitch back to the table. He forced another hill-hill match for a chance to play for the finals. Chester got to the table and picked his way through the rack. After shooting the 6 ball he got an unbelievable bad roll as the cue ball found the 1 spot on the table to hook Chester from the routine 3 ball out. He was frozen to the back of the 8 ball and couldn't see the 7 near the corner pocket. After fouling Mitch sent Chester home in 3rd place with ball in hand. Chester received $370 for his efforts.

Before the start of the Finals, Mitch took a little stroll outside to gather himself. In the 1 race to 13 finals, Paul never had a chance. Mitch ran out every rack and locked Paul up to a kick shot at every chance. Paul got his first look at an open table with the score 8 - 0, but being cooled in his seat deemed too much as he missed an easy shot. Mitch cruised to the finish line winning 13 - 1 and capturing the another State Championship. His first one in 9-ball netting $1080.  Paul received $600 for his 2nd straight 2nd Place Finish.