Southern States BCA Pool League hits Vegas
Published 11:09 am Friday, March 7, 2025
Troy Lokey | Submitted photo: The Southern States BCA Pool League gathered for a photo before heading to Vegas for the tournament. [L-R] JJ Sirmans, Holly Sirmans, Troy Lokey, Bobbie Lokey, Luis Hinojo, Chandler Merwin, Sam Shipman, Casey Shipman
VALDOSTA—The Southern States BCA Pool League has returned from an unforgettable trip to Las Vegas, where they competed in a high-stakes billiards tournament alongside some of the best players in the world.
League owner Troy Lokey and team captain Holly Sirmans led the group, which included Bobbie Lokey, JJ Sirmans, Casey Shipman, Samantha Shipman, Luis Hinojo, and 14-year-old Chandler Merwin, the youngest competitor on the team.
The trip was an opportunity to test their skills, bond as a team, and soak in the energy of a national tournament setting.
“It is exciting for me to play new people and just see how we match up against players from other areas,” said Sirmans ahead of the event.
Lokey, a veteran of these tournaments, reflected on the experience as one filled with great sportsmanship and camaraderie.
“We had a great group of people with us—long-time friends who have played together for years and some new people,” he shared. “Everybody that comes and plays in our group is welcome—we do not meet strangers. You do not have to be a pro to play in the league. The league is about learning and hanging out with friends and family.”
While the competition was tough, the team took pride in their performance and the shared experience of competing at a national level. Across various events, over 11,000 teams took part in the tournament in Vegas. In the league’s section of 224 teams, the Southern States BCA Pool League ranked 159th. Lokey stated that this was the best performance the team has ever achieved at the tournament, but added “They did not face a team they couldn’t beat.”
With another tournament in the books, the Southern States BCA Pool League is already looking ahead to next year’s event, which is expected to take place at an even larger venue due to the 50th anniversary of the event. Until then, the team looks to keep sharpening their skills on the local tables—building their game, their friendships, and their love for the sport.
“You gain a family when you start doing something like this,” Sirmans emphasized. “You meet others with the same interests, and you end up gaining lifelong friends.”
