Jack & Jill Champions

The final match of the Jack & Jill Preregistered Championships put What’s the Barber Say? from Louisville, KY, teammates James Albright (SL6) and Alyson Mullins (SL4) head-to-head against Different Strokes from Baraux Bridge, LA teammates Bill Bridger (SL5) and Virginia Decoux (SL5). After two and a half days of competition, the field had been narrowed to these two teams competing for the $5,000 first place prize.

James, skill level 6, and Alyson, skill level 4, of What’s the Barber Say? met Bill, skill level 5, and Virginia, skill level 5, of Different Strokes Friday afternoon in a Race to 4 game. The lag found Bill racking the balls for James.

James made a strong break sinking two stripes, but the break proved unsuccessful for Alyson. Virginia stepped up for the first turn for Different Strokes which started a four ball run for the duo. What’s the Barber Say? turned the game around when their turn came, but it wasn’t enough to capture the first win of the match. Different Strokes claimed the first victory.

What’s the Barber Say? secured the second game, but Different Strokes took the lead again in the third match. With the score 2-1, in favor of Bill and Virginia, James and Alyson secured another win in the see-saw game to follow. Both teams wanted to hold on to their leads, resulting in a tie after each game, 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3. In the seventh and final game James broke the rack but didn’t claim a category. Virginia and Bill had a pretty solid run, running their balls down to just two left on the table. After a game turning miss by Different Strokes, Alyson of What’s the Barber Say? jumped in with determination, she and James ran the solids and won the game.

James and Alyson took the final game, winning the match 4-3.

“I’m surprised to have made it so far; I’ve played in National Championships before, but this is my first Jack & Jill Championship, but I think we did very well,” said Bill.

“We played great together under pressure,” said James, “we lost our first game, but won the next seven to win the Championships, the entire event was great, we both had an awesome experience.”