Grown men (and women) cried on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 19, at American Legion Post 123. But their tears were mixed with feelings of awe, wonderment, praise and gratitude for being smart enough to be at that place at that very time when 12-year-old Andrew Crews won six 8-Ball matches in a row to capture first place in the Legion’s pre-Christmas 8-Ball Tournament.

With ease, Crews dispatched Sanibel’s John Earle, Jack Dalton and Bob Buntrock, in addition to Fort Myers’ shooters Bob Dupre and Terry McCullough. He put McCullough into the loser’s bracket and then beat him again for the championship and a check for $150. McCullough took second and earned $100.

Andrew’s dad, Tim Crews, earned third place and $75 for his win over Bob Buntrock, who took home $50 fourth place money after being beat upon by both father and son Crews. Terry Ricotta and Adolfo Aguilar each earned $15 in sharing fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Richard McCurry and Dennis Bender were seventh and eighth place winners. Richard Ennis, Don O’Connell, Paul Primeaux and Jack Dalton shared places nine through 12.

The tournament drew 31 of the area’s best amateur shooters, 17 from the Sanibel 8-Ball Pool League and 14 from the 8-Ball Lounge in Fort Myers and Diamond Billiards in Cape Coral. Six of the top finishers came from Sanibel and six came from off-island.

Bracket positions for the single game, double elimination tournament were drawn at 11:30 a.m., with play beginning at noon over the Legion’s two pocket billiard tables. The championship match came 62 games later, with the tournament finishing at 5 p.m. after five hours of continuous play.

On Monday, March 8, another single game, double elimination 8-ball tournament is scheduled for Legion Post 123. This is the year-end singles tournament is open only to players from the Sanibel 8-Ball Pool League who have played 20 game or more during their League team’s 84-game season and 21 weeks of play.

The entry fee for this tournament is $20 with cash prizes again going to the top six finishers. Sign up for a team, shoot 20 games, pay your entry fee and you’re in. Call Bob Buntrock at 274-7881 or Kip Buntrock at 246-6282 to indicate interest.