Western Nebraska was well represented at the TAP National Pool Tournament in Biloxi, Mississippi, happening this past week. Seventeen players from Kimball, Sidney, Ogallala and Gothenburg represented the Trails West League in Mississippi.
Kimball sent one of the youngest players, 9-year-old Able Kuhns. Able, along with his dad, Anthony, to handle 8-ball and 9-ball duties. Fellow Kimballites Seth Krazick and Adam Warner played 8-ball and 9-ball, respectively, in Biloxi. These players all represent the Trails West League.
As they prepared for their trip and played in their regular TAP League last week, the cues came out. Anthony explained that he uses three cues: one for the break, one for regular play, and naturally, one for jumps.
After a 22-hour drive south, the individuals hoped to gather a lot of experience playing anywhere from 4-10 games daily, Monday through Thursday. However, they admitted that seeing and lying on the beach would be a highlight of their trip, along with the warm weather.
With no youth division, Able competed with the adults with the same handicap division. There were 12 players in Able's 9-ball division and 54 players in his 8-ball section.
Adam Warner and Anthony competed against 71 people in the 4-5 handicapper range for 9-ball, and there were 33 players for Anthony to beat in 8-ball.
Seth played against 17 players for a chance for the championship.