By Mike Crase

    Eastern Kentucky Table Tennis returned to the Morgan County Community Center for the first time in nearly two years on April 4, 2022.  Following two weeks of open play sessions, EKTT officially started league play again on April 18.  

    EKTT will recognize and retain all title-holders that were champions when the pandemic hit.  The following are our current league champions: Eastern Kentucky Table Tennis Singles Champion Byron Risner, Senior Champion Dickie Williams and the Doubles Championship is vacant.  EKTT has chosen to discontinue the Regional, Inter-County and Cruiser Championships at this time.

We are accepting new members and beginners are welcome! EKTT opens at 6 pm on Thursdays at the Morgan County Community Center Gym and league play begins around 6:45 pm. If players don’t wish to participate in the league tournament, we have plenty of tables, and they are welcome to practice or play in pick-up matches. Beginners are welcome! Feel free to contact us for more information on Facebook, we are: easternkytabletennis

    EKTT President Byron Risner ran League Tournament 1, which marks EKTT’s new weekly format.  EKTT will use a tournament format incorporating players of all levels (unless players choose to practice or play open matches).  League Tournament 1 (LT1) featured a double-elimination format, where players must lose twice to be out, with the addendum being that the final match would be one match only.  The tournament was a blind-draw event (random draw determines the matches).

    Upper Bracket Results Round 1:  The 2-time and current Senior Champion Dickie Williams wins over former Senior Champion Larry Salyer; Mike Adkins made his return to league play and scored a hard fought win over rival Langley Franklin, an EKTT Hall of Famer. Two brand new players making their EKTT debuts played in the 8 and 9 slots, which saw Bradyn Combs win over Caleb LeMaster.  Caleb then advanced to play Josh Frisby in round 1 play; Frisby won and advanced to round 2. 

Upper Bracket Results Round 2: Mike Adkins scored a big win and advanced over Dickie Williams to the final of round 1 play. Former EKTT Champion Perry Franklin edged Josh Frisby in a thriller to win his 58thconsecutive match and become a finalist in the upper bracket. Perry was dominating league play before the pandemic and continues to do so upon our return.

    Upper Bracket Final:  Perry Franklin wins his 59th straight match and wins the upper bracket, which in turn places him in the tournament championship final. Mike Adkins put in a lot of effort and played well in the upper bracket finale. 

    The Lower Bracket is used when players lose in the upper bracket and eventually keep dropping down until he or she advances to play the winner of the Upper Bracket.  The winner of that match is crowned the tournament winner.

    Lower Bracket Round 1:  Caleb LeMaster wins over Larry Salyer.  

    Lower Bracket Round 2:  Caleb LeMaster lost to Langley Franklin; Darby Franklin won over Bradyn Combs.  

    Lower Bracket Round 3:  Josh Frisby won over Langley Franklin; Darby Franklin won against Dickie Williams.

    Lower Bracket Round 4:  Darby Franklin plays strong and takes a victory over Mike Adkins.  

    Lower Bracket Round 5:  Darby Franklin gets a huge win over multiple-time former Inter-County Champion Josh Frisby to advance to the LT1 tournament final against his son, Perry! Father vs. son battle! 

    League Tournament 1 Championship Final:  In an outstanding match, with a ton of rallies, and incredible counter-plays, Perry Franklin defeated Darby Franklin to win his 60th straight league match.  Amazing effort by both  competitors that did the league and sport proud with this match!  

    LT1 top finishers: 1st place Perry Franklin 3-0; 2nd place Darby Franklin 4-2; 3rd place Mike Adkins 1-2.  Congrats to all the top finishers!

We will back at the Morgan County Community Center Gym for League Tournament 2 this Thursday, April 28 with a 6:45 pm start time, doors open at 6:00 pm. See you at the tables!