The tournament was hosted by On the Hill Productions, Tournament Director, Loye Bolyard, Beverlee Dillow and Streaming by Dave Nangle. Saturday’s event brought in 32 ladies from around the DMV area, as well as some newcomers from New York and New Jersey. One impressive young lady even flew in from California! This was a Fargo handicapped tournament.
Nicole Nester went undefeated and captured the title “Women’s Maryland State 9-ball Champion” Her composure and confidence at the table were an inspiration.
(R1) Win vs D. Stickler, 6-2
(R2) Win vs J. Wilson, 6-3
(R3) Win vs J. Prescop, 6-2
(R4) Win vs. K. Daniel, 6-1
(HS) Win vs. Eugenia Gyftopoulos, 6-1
(Final) Win vs. T. Malm, 6-0
Special Thank you to Brews and Cues on the Blvd, and their amazing Staff. Especially our favorites, Tina Castillo-Morfessis, Gigi Morfessis, and Gabe.
TTMD Billiards Streaming would like to give a shout-out and a heartfelt thank you to On The Hill Productions for their sponsorship of our 10-Ball Open Championship.
Please join us in thanking Rick Scarlato Jr., Loye Bolyard, Dave Nangle, Josh McCauley, Beverlee Dillow, Meredith Samms, and Charlie Gain for all they do for our pool community.
On The Hill Productions has been promoting and running the prestigious MD State Tournament series which features 8,9, and 10-ball disciplines played on both 7ft, “bar box” and 9 ft tables since 2017. Often it is unnoticed how much effort goes into organizing and running such an event. This team is top-notch, from the player’s meeting thru to the final match, the no-nonsense, professional approach to managing the event has set the bar for others to follow.
There is nothing like the thrill of being on the “TV” table that is being live-streamed to pool fans everywhere. The streaming team of Dave Nangle, Josh McCauley, and Rick Scarlato Jr, bring the event to your home or mobile device, with excellent commentary and live scorekeeping. The team takes pride in their production and it shows. Check out their YouTube channel to view past MD State Championship matches.
If you have not experienced a Maryland State Tournament and are considering giving a higher-level tournament a try, this is a great way to get started.
The venues and superb equipment make the experience that much better.
Featuring thirteen, 7 foot, and one, 9 foot Diamond Pro/Am tables that are in fabulous condition. When talking to Rick Scarlato Jr., he says “the tables are checked 3 times per week” to make sure they play true. Matt Sniper Suite is the table tech for Brews and Cues and he does a remarkable job.
Tony Manning, owner of Brews and Cues is an avid pool fan and player, you will often see him and his wife Stephanie grinding in a Maryland State. Thank you both for all you do to promote and grow the sport.
If you are looking for a league or to compete in a tournament, Brews and Cues is a great place to consider. They offer a full bar and kitchen with excellent food. The waitstaff and management are friendly and courteous.
A spacious facility with fourteen, 9 foot Brunswick tables that offers plenty of comfortable seating and many TVs to watch your favorite sport.
If you like darts, they have you covered.
The folks at Champion Billiards and Sports Bar are superb, the waitstaff is courteous and mindful of the event, often checking on players to make sure they have food and beverage.
We asked the team to tell us a little about themselves, when they started shooting pool and how they got involved with tournament play.
Rick Scarlato Jr.
I started playing when I was 5 at my father’s taxi stand in Havre de Grace. My father started me playing, it was our way of spending time together when I was a kid. He was the most influential person in my pool career. My father being an avid player himself, I was around a lot of great players from a young age. I saw them competing amongst each other in league play, tournaments and gambling. I knew then that I wanted to compete as well. In 2003, I got married and started a family soon after. I took a little break from the game to focus on my family and work. When I came back to the game in 2016, I started to compete in tournament play to satisfy my competitive desires. I had some high finishes on the Mezz Tour, Action Pool Tour and I finished T-17th at Turning Stone in my first true pro event. In 2017, one of my personal favorite tournaments, the Maryland State Championships, was no longer going to be held. I talked to the tournament director, John Moody Sr., about continuing the tournament. With his blessing, I ran my very first tournament with 107 players. Quickly realizing I needed some help, I called on my childhood friend, Loye Bolyard. From that On The Hill Productions was born. From the early beginnings, we have expanded into 10 annual events with plans to grow even more. In 2017, I got the opportunity to work with Tony Manning at Brews & Cues On The Boulevard as the general manager. Since 2019, Brews & Cues has hosted all of our bar table tournaments. In the summer of 2020, On The Hill Productions launched a YouTube Channel for the streaming of all of the events we run.
Loye Bolyard
I’ve been playing for 35 years, it started when we would walk home from George’s Restaurant in Edgewood on Friday and Saturday nights. There was only a couple of things for us to do growing up. Roller skate, hang out at the arcade in the Harford mall or a friend’s house. A small group went to George’s. Walking home we passed by a place called Crazy Eights. More of a pool hall than a restaurant. It was closer and that became the hangout for us. This was the mid to late eighties when this was going on. That place was a second home for me. The owners were Jerry Halkins and Bert Driesh, Bert saw I had a great interest in pool, taking me under his wing I’ve learned a lot from him. Playing daily for 6 or so hrs my game grew at a fast pace. Young good eyes and wanting more.
In 1999 I started a family, with some ups, and downs. After my second marriage with my current wife Cyndi we raised 2 beautiful daughters and raising a 3rd right now.
The tournament road started with Rick contacting John Moody who ran for many years the Maryland State Championships in Southern Maryland, Action Billiards in Salisbury, and Cambridge was the home of Great Slates Billiards. Once Rick and he talked about keeping the spirit alive Rick had his first event which I only helped. After the event, Rick and I worked on what we have now, On The Hill Productions with 7 events and adding 3 more possible 4 thru this year.
Dave Nangle
I started playing pool after high school, in 1990. My first exposure to bigger tournaments was in the early 2000’s with the Planet Pool Tour events. After watching an Artistic Pool event at the Super Billiards Expo in 2004, I decided to try my luck in that discipline. I competed in Artistic events from 2005-2016. My best moments were a 5th place finish in the 2007 World Championship, winning the 2008 Masse World Championship, and being invited to compete in ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic in 2010. Since I stopped competing in Artistic Pool, I have shifted my focus to running and streaming pool tournaments.
Joshua McCauley
I’ve been playing pool for about 16 years. I got into it after I got hurt and could no longer play baseball anymore. I’ve always been a competitive person and that’s what I love about this sport and tournaments. It doesn’t matter how old you are what color you are or if you are a man or woman. Only thing that matters is if you can play. I’m a coach at heart and love to teach which is why I live doing the commentary. It allows me to share my knowledge of the game to anyone who may be trying to get better and wants to really learn the game.
Beverlee Dillow
I’ve been playing since 2004 and prior to helping Rick, I ran tournaments for the APA. I’ve been with On the Hill since day one.
TTMD Billiards Streaming is incredibly thankful to On The Hill Productions for their sponsorship of the TTMD Billiards Streaming 10 Ball Open Championship.
