North Carrollton Ninjas: 2009

With the rumble of a V twin in the parking lot, the aroma of beer, nacho cheese and cigarette smoke in the air, classic rock blaring on the PA, 50 pool tables and 150 pool teams playing in an abandoned Rite Aid turned makeshift pool hall, I’d say we were at the ‘09 NOLA APA Local Teams Championships in the Bellemeade Plaza. Wednesday started out with a tough loss to Foxtrot Uniforms immediately putting the Ninjas on the left side of the bracket. With our spirits slightly down, we headed back Thursday night to play Rack Attack. Sammy, G and I get credit for the wins in this match, keeping the Ninjas alive. The weekend began Saturday morning against We don’t know yet. Sammy, G and Jeff won, shifting the Ninjas back to the right side of the bracket. Now with confidence back in full swing and a stomach full of taco bell, we cruised into Saturday afternoon ready to play Still Smokin’. After Sammy stumbled, G played a marathon match against a 6 and won. It’s what he does. I stepped up for an easy win against a 3 leaving us needing only one more to advance to semifinals on Sunday. I guess this is when Jesse decided it was time to unveil his skill under pressure and deliver the final blow to Still Smokin’. Sorry guys, Gretna’s finest is right outside and I would be careful because they are looking for something to do. After hightailing it back to the eastbank Saturday night we returned Sunday morning rested and ready to play Foxtrot in the semifinals. Due to Foxtrot being unable to field a team with numbers that would not exceed 23, the entire match was immediately ruled a win for the Ninjas. Big ups to Foxtrot for being true sportsman in lieu of these events. With a win by DQ in the semis and Tommy ‘Lucky Charm’ Pollman in attendance, the Ninjas were ready to face Destroyers in the finals. The atmosphere was so thick with tension and stale winstons you could cut it with a knife. Sammy got our first win with a memorable shot, walking his last frozen ball all the way down the long rail. Jeff then proceeded to bring it to 2-0 with solid shut down pool. Up against Destroyers top player I played the sacrificial lamb and dropped the score to 2-1. Needing just one more win to make it to Vegas, Jesse went up and cemented his MVP status by making a 13 ball cut thinner than Paulie Cicero’s garlic chopping razor blade. This amazing shot set him up for the game and tournament winning 8 ball. Surely the cards can fall for a team once in any given year, but to make it to nationals twice in a row? Have the seeds of a dynasty been planted? Do the Ninjas have what it takes to make a run for it all in Vegas?

The moment an MVP was born