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Steve Shimkus is Crowned the Killer B’s All-Around Champion [2/29/2004]  The 2nd Annual $1,000 Added Killer B’s All-Around Championship was held on February 28 and 29. This is the most unique Killer B event of the series where the format is single-elimination and best out of three sets. The interesting factor is that each set must be a different discipline – 8-Ball, 9-Ball and/or Straight Pool. This is the ultimate test for a Killer B player, who must be well accomplished in all disciplines to have a chance to take the top honor.
Snooker’s Café & Billiards was the host of this event adding $500 along with another $500 from MSB Promotions. During the month of February, Snooker’s co-promoted this event as well as promoting their annual Ocean State Championships, which has been one of the most anticipated events of the year in the northeast for the last 15 years. Snooker’s is dedicated to the sport of billiards and the number of quality events they hold each and every year demonstrates this.
The action started right in the first round with Ken Ludy and Corey Payer. They started their match with a game of Straight Pool, which is a race to 50 in this event. Payer jumped out to a 47-6 lead over Ludy. But Ken fired back with a 43-ball run only to have to play a safety with only needing one ball. After a short safety battle, Ken was able to pocket his last ball for the win, 50-47.
The action didn’t stop there, because Corey picked 9-Ball for the second set and again all he could do was watch Ken go up 6-1 in a race to seven. But this time it was Corey’s turn to rally for a comeback and take the set, 7-6. Their final set of 8-Ball started like the first two with someone taking a huge lead. This time is was Corey jumping out to a 4-1 lead, but the comebacks were over as Corey closed out the set 5-1.
The second round provided more quality matches like former Player of the Year, Tim Perry versus Jason Michas. These two went hill-hill in 9-Ball and Tim came out on top. Jason seemed ready to force a third and decisive set with a 38-17 lead in Straight Pool, but Tim was able to win the game without letting Jason pocket another ball by the score of 50-38.
The final eight players did not disappoint the Saturday night spectators; two of the four matches went the distance of three sets. Peter Campbell met up with current Killer B’s point’s leader, Alex Morin. Alex started the match with a 5-2 win in 8-Ball. Pete was able to even the score by taking a hill-hill thriller in 9-Ball, 7-6. Alex proved to be a top Straight Pool contender by winning the First Annual Killer B’s Straight Pool Championship back in December. The final set of this match was destined to be another thriller, but Pete controlled the table in the Straight Pool segment and easily won it, 50-7.
The second day featured the final four players - Ed Fortin, Corey Payer, Pete Campbell and Steve Shimkus. With Alex Morin out of the event, Fortin was in prime position to gain some valuable points on him. Shimkus made it to the final four last year only to be held off by Connecticut’s Mike Keith. This year, Shimkus returned the favor on Saturday by relegating Keith to 9th place, just out of the cash.
Shimkus and Pete Campbell are very familiar with each other’s games since they both played out of Fast Break Billiards in Plainville, MA. But last summer, Shimkus moved to Connecticut and has found a new haunt at Crown Billiards in New London. Pete picked 9-Ball for the first set and that seemed to fit into Steve’s plan as he put a three pack on Campbell. Steve never looked back after that and easily took the set, 7-1.
Both Campbell and Shimkus are known for their Straight Pool ability and either player could effortlessly run out the short race to 50. Pete had a lead of 18-10 with a nice break shot for the next rack, but the cue ball went off the rack and into the side-pocket. Steve’s next two innings produced a 21-ball run and a 19 and out run to win the set and match 50-19.
The other semi-final match pitted Ed Fortin against Corey Payer. Ed won the lag and chose 8-Ball, which he considers his best game. On Saturday, Corey confessed that 8-Ball was his best game. The match went back-and-forth to a score of 3-3. The seventh game proved to be a tester with the 8-ball tied up on the side rail with no easy access to break it out. After a long battle of ducking and maneuvering, Corey was able to run out his remaining balls to reach the hill. The next rack was just as difficult with no one having an easy run out. Corey had the first opportunity and ran out the game to take the first set.
The second set was Corey’s choice and he picked 9-Ball. He jumped out to a three game lead, but Fortin wouldn’t quit and was able to close the gap. This set eventually went to hill-hill. The last rack was reminiscent of their 8-Ball match with the 6-ball on the bottom rail surrounded by the 7, 8 and 9-balls. Ed had the first chance at getting on the 6-ball, but fell short. He played a great safe, but Corey returned the favor with a better kick-safe. Ed attempted a kick on the 6-ball, but the cue ball went too wide for a two-rail kick. He contacted the 6-ball with a three-rail kick, but fouled since nothing touched a rail after contact. Worst of all for Ed is he opened up the remaining four balls on the table to for an easy ball-in-hand run-out for Corey.
Corey won the lag to start the finals and he picked 9-Ball for the first set. Shimkus started right where he left off with his match against Campbell and quickly went up 6-1. Corey realized that he could not take the finals lightly since there was a $350 difference between 1st and 2nd. He struck back just as quickly as Steve got out of the gate and soon we had another hill-hill thriller. But Steve was able to escape with the win after a mistake by Corey.
Since Corey chose the first discipline, it was Steve’s turn to pick from the remaining two billiard games. He quickly decided that they would play Straight Pool. The opening started slowly, but Shimkus soon picked up some momentum and took the lead. When both players were at mid-game, Corey had a great opportunity to take over the momentum. He played the 11-ball into the corner and the cue ball went off the back rail and perfectly broke out a cluster of balls around the foot spot. It was a great shot until the 6-ball unkindly kiss the cue ball and froze it to the 4-ball leaving Corey without a shot. The balls just did not co-operate for Corey.
Shimkus went on to reach the score of 49-23 and had a long tester on the 9-ball in the corner. He missed the ball, but did not leave a shot for Corey. After a brief safety battle, Shimkus had another long jacked-up straight in shot on his case ball and he would miss this ball also. This time Corey had an open rack and he started to get into a groove. He ran 13 balls and he looked in good shape on his key ball to get a good break shot. But he missed the key ball and Shimkus was able to convert his last point for the tournament.
The Killer B’s Series extends a special thanks to Webb Custom Cues, www.TotalPool.info, InsidePool magazine, and, of course, Snooker’s Café & Billiards for their valued support.
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