Author & Tournament Director: Steve Sherman

Dozer's Grill in Mesa hosted the 2026 Billiard Education Foundation Arizona Junior State Championships — the final stop of the 2026 BEF Southwest Junior Tour, which traveled through New Mexico, California, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona.

Our Arizona finale was our biggest field yet, with 24 players from Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada competing in front of a packed house that sweat every match. These kids played their hearts out, displayed outstanding sportsmanship, and it was a real treat to watch friendships and good-natured rivalries rekindle from earlier tour stops — along with brand new friendships forming throughout the day.

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18 & UNDER BOYS 10-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Noah McGovern — Prescott, AZ

Austin Dubs — Surprise, AZ

Ryan Warren — Globe, AZ

Noah McGovern of Prescott, AZ is your 2026 Arizona Junior Boys 10-Ball State Champion, taking first place in a hard-fought final against Austin Dubs of Surprise. Ryan Warren of Globe put up a strong showing to finish third in a very tough field.

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18 & UNDER GIRLS 10-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Jordyn Randell — Surprise, AZ

Bridget Walsh — Mesa, AZ

MJ Zuber — Albuquerque, NM

Jordyn Randell of Surprise, AZ is your 2026 Arizona Junior Girls 10-Ball State Champion, taking first place in a thrilling final against Bridget Walsh of Mesa, who fought hard all day long in an extremely tough field to ultimately meet Jordyn in the finals. MJ Zuber of Albuquerque, NM finished third and capped off a tremendous Southwest tour — MJ played 3 of the 5 tour stops and placed in all 3, with 1st place finishes in both 9-ball and girls 10-ball in New Mexico and a 2nd place finish in girls 10-ball in Nevada.

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12 & UNDER MIXED 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Austin Dubs — Surprise, AZ

River Gutierrez — Chandler, AZ

Brysenia Buelna — Oracle, AZ

Austin Dubs of Surprise, AZ is your 2026 Arizona Mixed 9-Ball State Champion, taking first place in a thrilling final against a tough opponent in River Gutierrez of Chandler. Austin had a standout tour overall, placing in an amazing four events across Nevada and Arizona with two 1st place finishes in 9-ball and two 2nd place finishes in 10-ball. Brysenia Buelna of Oracle took third place and placed in more events than any other player on the entire tour, with five finishes across California, Nevada, and Arizona. In addition to this 3rd place finish, Brysenia earned a 1st place finish in girls 10-ball, a 2nd in girls 10-ball, a 2nd in mixed 9-ball, and another 3rd in 9-ball — an outstanding performance.

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BEF SOUTHWEST TOUR BALABUSHKA PRIZE GIVEAWAY WINNER

Congratulations to Noah McGovern of Prescott, Arizona!

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We could not host these events without our sponsors' generosity and support.

Dozer's Grill provided a top-notch venue worthy of a championship event. Their staff was accommodating, friendly, and attentive, the food was great, and the overall atmosphere made the event truly special.

Misty Anderson and Casey Anderson — our professional certified referees who generously donated their time to preside over the event. Their professionalism and expertise kept every match running smoothly.

Peggy Mallen and the Balabushka Cue Company once again stepped up in a big way. To celebrate effort, improvement, and sportsmanship across the tour, Balabushka awarded a special prize at the conclusion — a gorgeous GB-23 cue (MSRP $1,750). On top of that, Balabushka covered the entry fee for every player at the Arizona tour stop.

Gloria Jean and Cue Sports Media personally fundraised on behalf of the tour and donated product that allowed us to raise additional funds. Gloria Jean and Cue Sports Media remain strong supporters of junior pool.

Additional thanks to our generous Arizona tour stop sponsors: Erin Erin Warner (Glass Mania Studios), Rob Kestler (Delex Realty), Sean Witkin (Witkin Insurance), Scott Huss, and Fran Martin.

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TOUR SHIRT DESIGN

We purchased our tour shirts from We Play Billiards (WPB), and Cilla Hernandez, as always, did a fantastic job designing the shirts for all the stops.

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Thank you to all our incredible players who competed across the 2026 Southwest Junior Tour. Hope to see you all at Nationals!

https://billiardeducationfoundation.wildapricot.org/Junio...