The Champ Gets 3

Thursday offered some intense Poolball action when challenger Alex Perrault took on the reigning Champ Tyler Lemco. Alex was looking to regain the title he once claimed his own but this did not turn out to be his day, as Tyler started off strong and never let up. 

The first match was a rusty one, with most of the wins coming from the rebounding position. Tyler managed to find his touch for one game and ended up stealing the series at 4 wins to 2. Many times, though, a game where both competitors shots are off means more highlights, and this game was no exception. Alex had numerous impossible put backs, many of the no-look variety. Tyler was his usual dominant self, reaching far and wide for monster grabs and thunderous put back dunks. In the end, Tyler got the best of his foe but the 4-2 score doesn't really indicate how close the game got. 

In the second game, while Alex was still getting in the groove, Tyler was hitting on all cylinders, cruising to a 4-1 series win. Tyler was almost error-proof, converting on every one of Alex's missed shots and also finding his sweet shooting touch. There was nothing Alex could do this time, he did not even play badly by any means, it was just too much Tyler in this contest.

In what would be the third and final match, Tyler was looking to shutout his nemesis while Alex was looking to get his first win and take it to a Championship match. In the beginning, it looked as if Alex was going to get his way, going up 2-0 in the series. Tyler must have lightened up on his opponent after the 4-1 win in the previous game because he was not playing with the same focus and intensity as his usual dominant self. Alex used Tyler's mental lapse to his advantage by going up in the series, but it didn't last long, as Tyler quickly found his focus and got back into the game. The champ pulled his best Miami Heat 06' impression by coming back from 2-0 to win the series 4-2 and thus finish the day undefeated. 

While three straight wins solidifies Tyler's championship status, the losses are sure to hurt Alex's ranking. Once considered the unanimous #2 contender, Alex's #2 spot is definitely now vulnerable to another challenger. Jon Stein and Ken Macintosh should take heed.

Participants

Joe Alfie: Mr. Alfie uses his large 6'4" 1/2 status to dominate the boards and control the game from above the rim. A one-time Cegep AA team MVP at John Abbott College, Joe now uses his basketball know-how in the pool. Joe is still getting accustomed to the dynamics of the pool and the size of the basketball yet he continues to impress. Still a relatively new competitor, with only 3 games under his belt, Joe has a bright future ahead of him.

Stephen Fox: The Fox uses his incredible athleticism and coordination to fly through the sky and impress the crowds. A product of John Abbott and Brookwood basketball, Steve takes his quick yet controlled style of play from the hardwood straight to the pool. With his jumping ability combined with his shooting touch, Fox is a constant threat to beat whomever he faces.

Mike Habib: The "Range Rover" managed to turn himself into the "Sea Rover" with an impressive debut in Poolball. Mike, now 2-0 in competition and the only remaining unbeaten competitor, won both matches on a severely sprained ankle, leaving everyone to wonder what he can accomplish when fully healthy. One of Mike's most impressive accomplishments in his short-spanned career include a miraculous comeback from a 3-1 series deficit in which he demonstrated true desire and Paul-Pierce'esque determination.

Tyler Lemco: Tyler, playing on his home court, is widely considered the most dominant Poolball competitor of all time. The "Bill Russell of Poolball", who is also the co-founder of the sport, is one of the game's longest standing staples of excellence. The 2007 Poolball League Champion uses a sweet shooting touch and excessive effort on the boards to dominate opponents. Tyler is known for his often-impossible tip-ins and monstrous dunk put-backs. The current champion and fan-favorite, who uses both his competitive swimming and basketball background to his advantage, is definitely the man to beat in Poolball.

Kenneth Macintosh: "Piece of Shit" has been a gladiator in the Poolball league over the past season. Ken, always a dangerous competitor, can beat you with the shot or the putback When the shot is falling, Ken is almost unbeatable, and coupling that with his tricky and 'strategic' uniform-malfunctions while rebounding, it is no wonder why Ken is widely considered the greatest player to never win a title. Ken has won several series against champions but has never been able to win the second series and obtain an actual championship. Kenneth is also a trailblazer for African Americans worldwide, by not only breaking Poolball's color barrier but also becoming the first black to enter a pool.

Robert Myerson: A bit absent as of late, the name Robert Myerson still holds strong within Poolball circles. Robbie Mye, who has been competing since the sports' beginnings, is known for using his 6'4" height and insane reach to make un-imaginable grabs. An always competitive and always aggressive player, Myerson has all the tools necessary to be one of the greats of the sport. Even though he has missed the entire 2008 season so far, Robert's history still ranks him among one of the best to play the game.

Alex Perrault: Alex, along with Tyler Lemco, is the co-founder of Poolball. Not only has he been around since the start, he's been tearing through the field since day 1 as well. Even though he is not the champion, Mr.Perrault is considered by many to be the best in the league. He uses his strategic wit, shooting touch, and effort on the boards to his advantage in every game he competes in. Alex uses his impressive swimming background and familiarity in the pool to out-smart, out-hustle, and overall out-play practically any competition. Despite not being the biggest, fastest, or most athletic in the league, Alex continually stays among the top of the rankings.

Jon Stein: "Styronez" uses his vast basketball knowledge and strategic thinking pattern in order to impress any competitor he faces. Stein is capable of beating anyone on any given day as long as his shot is falling and his touch around the net is on point. Stein utilizes a strong jump shot and energy on the glass to his advantage in every game he plays. At 24, he is the elder statesman of the league but experts feel he still has plenty left in the tank. This old dog is definitely still learning new tricks as Jon continues to improve by a game by game basis.

Official Rules

Overview: Poolball is a 1-on-1 basketball-related competition which takes place in a swimming pool. Requirements are: two participants, a Fisher Price basketball net placed in the shallow end of a swimming pool, and an appropriately sized basketball. 

Procedure: One participants starts the match as the shooter, standing 13 feet away from the basket. The opponent can stand anywhere he/she wishes within the parameters of the shallow end. The shooter tries make 7 shots while the rebounder is trying to get 5 putbacks (Putbacks can only occur after a shooter's missed shot. A putback only counts if the participants feet are entirely off the ground and the ball never touches the surface of the water). The first one to achieve their respective goal (shooter: 7 shots; rebounder: 5 putbacks) wins the game. At the end of each game, both competitors switch positions and begin the second game (shooter goes rebounder and rebounder goes shooter). The series goes until 7 games, or until one person wins 4 games. 

Rules: 

- Each competitor has 2 time-outs per series, with a limit of only one time-out per game.

- Each competitor has permission to goaltend one shot attempt per series (while being the rebounder). Any goaltend done after the one permitted results in a point for the shooter.

- Splashing water at the shooter is strictly prohibited.

- If one or both of the rebounder's feet are touching the floor of the pool during a putback, then the basket does not count.

- If the ball touches the surface of the water after a missed shot, then the play is dead. 

- The shooter must shoot 13 feet from the basket.

- The Champion of Poolball gets to retain the PoolBall Official Championship Belt. 

- How to win the championship: In order to win the championship, the opponent must defeat the champion in a 7-game series, thus gaining the right to compete for the belt. If successful, the challenger must defeat the champion in a second 7-game series, this time with the belt on the line.

- Barring any weather troubles or prior commitments, the champion must accept any challenge by an opponent within two days.

- Champion chooses if he/she wishes to shoot first or rebound first. If the champion is not competing then the higher ranked player makes the decision. 

Scoring System: Although being champion is an accomplishment within itself, the ultimate goal of Poolball is to obtain the highest number of championships before the season is over. Either a successful title defense or defeating the previous champion can count towards the championship count. For example, if Player A wins the championship off of Player B and then successfully defends his championship against Player B in another series, then that would be a total of 2 championships for Player A. 

2007 Title Count:

Tyler Lemco {25}

Alex Perrault {17}

2007 Poolball Championship Winner:

Tyler Lemco