10/26/2026
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE is not only a mantra for the players in the Metro Detroit APA, but for us as well! We are always looking for ways to improve our processes and provide our members the best APA experience we can. Yesterday was just another step in that direction. Thanks to everybody involved for being part of it!
SL8-9 Bracket
Normally we start out with the SL1-3 bracket, but this one needs to be mentioned first, a great battle! While both Bobby Rezin and Chris Johnson took early round losses, they both came back to knock off their undefeated opponents to earn their spots in the finals. The match-up was set with Bobby needing to get 75 points and Chris going to 65. It didn’t take long for Chris to jump out to a 25-13 lead. Bobby then played a key safety on the two-ball that was the catalyst for him to go on an 18-0 run to take the lead 31-25. Chris scored the next 14 points to take the lead back 45-32. Bobby proceeded to outscore Chris 27-1 over the next few racks to take a 59-46 advantage coming down the stretch. In the final few racks, we watched Bobby take control of the match and only needing 2 points and having the break, with Chris needing 11 points. On the break, Bobby made the two-ball and wasn’t left a clear shot on the one ball. Always a defensive minded player, he was forced to attempt safety, and it wasn’t a bad one. However, Chris, being down 11 points, had to play a kick-shot that went in and he was off to the races, clearing the rest of the table! Now, Chris was breaking and needing just two points. He broke, made the five-ball and the one-ball rolled past eight to give him a clear shot and his first Metro Detroit APA MVP Championship!
Watch it here on our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sw9r--1L8k
1st Place – Chris Johnson (NW)
2nd Place – Bobby Rezin (NE)
3rd Place – Bobby Rowe (SE)
3rd Place – Tim Heckman (SW)
SL6-7 Bracket
While Marcelo Trevino was battling through his matches beating Edwin Comerzan 46-38 in the Semi Finals to reach the Finals. Jonid Tukaj dominated in each of his matches and the Finals was no different, as Jonid Tukaj won 55-17. Jonid showed exactly what happens when a SL7 gets in a groove, they can play as good as anybody!
Watch it here on our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUox84LmZn0
1st Place – Jonid Tukaj (NE)
2nd Place – Marcelo Trevino (SE)
3rd Place – Patrick Bomia (SW)
3rd Place – Edwin Comerzan (SW)
SL4-5 Bracket
As a new SL4, Emily Loebach showed why her latest play proves that she belongs at this tournament. After winning her first match against the always tough and experienced Jina Hammond (31-27), she lost the next round and ended up meeting Jina again to squeak out another win (31-28) to get herself to the Semi Finals. In the meantime, Mike Smith lost his first round to Pat Tapper only to come back and avenge that lost in the Semi Finals. In the Finals Mike needed 38 points and Emily needed 31 points. Mike was able to slowly increase his lead over several racks to make up for the ten points he had to give up. That lead started to dwindle at 28-17 as Emily clawed back to make it 29-25 and needing just 6 more for the win. Mike got the next eight points to get on the hill with 37 points and needing just one more point, with the break. On the break, Mike made four balls, unfortunately one of them was the cue ball. Fortunately, it didn’t determine the outcome, and Mike won the match a couple turns later.
Watch it here on our Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wV4knZsug
1st Place – Mike Smith (NW)
2nd Place – Emily Loebach (SE)
3rd Place – Patrick Tapper (SW)
3rd Place – Larry Lane (SE)
SL1-3 Bracket
It’s amazing that we get more participation in this Tier Level than any other, but it makes us happy to see this group being eager and willing to challenge themselves. Stephanie McCuiston, no stranger to cashing in our events however it’s always been in the 8-ball format, so this was something new for her. She got to the Finals undefeated, while Kara took a first-round loss as motivation and came back strong to beat a hot Stephen Brusseau to get to the Semi Finals where she beat Mildred Smith (playing in her first ever tournament). In the Finals, Stephanie cruised to a 25-16 victory to add a 9-Ball trophy to her collection!
Watch it here on our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYtA_FWcf7s
1st Place – Stephanie McCuiston (NE)
2nd Place – Kara Clark (NE)
3rd Place – Mildred Smith (SE)
3rd Place – Stacie Cook (SE)
There you have it folks, these are the 2026 Spring League 9-Ball MVP's and they will get a chance at Regionals in March to see if they can rise to that challenge and win a trip to Vegas for 2027!
You can't win, if you don't play ....
Next up 9-Ball Doubles in two weeks, where we are sending the winner to Vegas!
