Brian Groce Wins PA State Championship

Brian Groce Wins PA State Championship By InsidePOOL Magazine StaffBrian Groce won the Pennsylvania State 9-Ball Championships, which were held at Lucky Break Billiards in Indiana, PA, by defeating Jerry Slivka 13-9 in the finals. A grand total of 74 players traveled from several midwest and northeastern states to participate in this event.The fourth-annual event was sponsored by Saunier Wilhem, McDermott Billiards, Paul Mottey, Stealth Cues, Jacoby Cues, Simonis 860, J & J of America, Cue & Case, and numerous other local sponsors. With a total of $3,500 added, the event was sure to be a success right from the beginning.
Among the contenders were defending champ Ian Costello; Mike Davis, who has recently been making a name for himself on the pro circuit as well as the regional tours; former Camel Pro Billiards players Denver Barger and Norm Wines; and Dave Daya and Pat McNally, who are both constant threats to win any regional event they enter.Jerry Slivka defeated Brian Groce in the match for the hot seat in a hill-hill nailbiter that ended 9-8. The match was a hard-fought, excellently played battle that seesawed with neither player gaining more than two games ahead of his opponent. In the end, Slivka ran out after a lengthy safety battle for the win, sending Groce to meet Dave Daya in the match to determine third place.Groce dominated this match with his powerful break, strong shot-making ability, and skillful safeties. Daya ran out of luck with a break that had been failing him all weekend, but somehow he still managed to defeat several worthy opponents. Groce earned his spot in the finals by defeating Daya 9-4, going on for the rematch with Slivka.The final match went fast and loose, with both players taking a lot of chances. Their game was more offensive, with more difficult shots being attempted on both sides. Groce played consistently through the finals and capitalized on a few mistakes by Slivka to gain a narrow advantage. In the end, that advantage was all he needed to stay ahead and win the set 13-9.1st - Brian Groce $3,0002nd - Jerry Slivka $1,5003rd - Dave Daya $1,0004th - Pat McNally $7505th/6th - Mike Davis, Tom D'Alfonso $5007th/8th - Bill Ussery, Shawn Wilkins $3509th/12th - Denver Barger, Scott Haas, Ed Smith, Shawn Graham $175

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