(Photo credits: Erwin Dionisio)
Just as the action was heating up for the 2026 Derby City Classic, a cold snap and severe winter storm swept through southern Indiana, taking a toll in first round match forfeits. The official numbers were completely full fields of 476 in Banks, 400 in One Pocket and 500 in 9-Ball.
All three finals were again this year held on Sunday — all extended races with no buyback.
The Banks reputation for strong runs and big upsets held up, with returning Hall of Famer John Brumback unceremoniously knocked out in round five on his return to the DCC after a several year retirement. Down to the final dozen players you had the usual names like Filler, Gorst, Woodward and Justin Hall coupled with a pair of amateur Chicagoans, Mike Bandy and Mike Eck. But in the end it was Justin Hall who survived two pocket scratches in the hill-hill finals to defeat Fedor Gorst in a hard fought Banks final race to 4 that came down to the very last ball.
Shane Van Boening is the 2026 One Pocket champion over Roland Garcia, which coupled with high finishes in the Banks and 9-Ball vaulted him into the coveted Master of the Table honor as well. Shane went through the 400 player field undefeated — with 14 wins.
It was great to see the return and resurgence of under 21 players, and boy did they came to play! 14 Year old Hayden ‘Mav Man’ Ernst really turned heads with a strong showing in all 3 divisions, including wins over Louis Demarco and Justin Hall in One Pocket, Roberto Gomez in Banks and Oscar Dominguez in 9-Ball. The young man is obviously a force to be reckoned with, at any game!
Anthony Meglino continues to impress — especially considering he is a working man competing with full time pros, following up his 4th place One Pocket finish last year with a 3rd place finish this year. Next year, look out!
Besides their usual after hours action, PoolActionTV hosted a $2000 added 5 rack One Pocket Ghost tournament. The high score of 59 was turned in by Roberto Gomez, followed by Josh Roberts and Devin Poteet with 49 and 46 respectively.
Poteet also snapped off the Banks Ring Game, as he showed his nerves coming back from the very brink of elimination to claim the top prize over Billy Thorpe at the end.
Direct links to the full results on digitalpool.com:
2026 Derby City Classic 9 Ball Banks
2026 Derby City Classic One Pocket
Master of the Table: 2026 Derby City Classic
Thank you Erwin Dionisio for your photos!