Archer Captures Turning Stone Classic XIV
Turning Stone Classic XIV / Verona, NY
by InsidePOOL Staff
Johnny Archer snapped off the Turning Stone Classic XIV title December 20, taking first place over “Rocket” Rodney Morris in the final match. This 128-player billiards event was hosted by the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY, and featured a $25,000-added prize purse.
Archer was responsible for unseating opponents such as Shane Van Boening and Thorsten Hohmann before being sent to the one-loss side himself by fellow Mosconi Cup teammate Dennis Hatch 9-6 in the final eight of the undefeated side. Once on the west side, Archer eliminated players such as Steve Moore 9-4, Marcus Chamat 9-4, Charlie Williams 9-5, and Kim Davenport 9-5 before facing Hatch again.
Hatch had gone unchallenged to the hot seat match—after he sent Archer west, he also delivered Oscar Dominguez there 9-4. But once in the hot seat match, he had to face Morris. It was touch and go, but Morris triumphed, defeating Hatch in a hill-hill, epic struggle.
View the Turning Stone tournament brackets (will be updated regularly)
Evidently unable to recover, Hatch foundered in the semifinal match against Archer, going home with third place 9-1. Archer rallied, and in the extended final race to 13 against Morris, he found a toehold and kept it, edging out the Hawaiian 13-11 to take the title.
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