The Sandhills North American Poolshooters Association (NAPA) is a local pool league from Moore, Cumberland, and Lee counties. Members of the league recently competed in the 2024 International Tournament.
NAPA, a cash/trophy league, was founded in Arkansas in 2009. The organization now has over 77,000 members across the country. Robert and Johnna McDaniel purchased the local league in 2023 and now run it.
“We met while shooting pool almost 30 years ago in Southern Pines on Broad Street at a small pool hall bar called Your Place,” Johnna said about meeting her husband. “When the owner, Douglas Herrick, passed away, the business was closed soon after. We still play weekly at Breaking Point except for holidays.”
The league operates singles, doubles, triples and team divisions. Singles operate out of Breaking Point in Aberdeen on Wednesdays.
“Anyone can join beginners to pros,” said Johnna. “There are no yearly membership fees, unlike other pool leagues. We also pay back to the players a minimum of 50% of what we take in cash and trophies. NAPA is the largest highest paying cash league in the nation and is growing daily.”
The Sandhills NAPA League sent 13 players to Louisville, KY, for the 2024 International Tournament in October. The league did well, bringing home three International Championships and several other placements.
They have tour stops at various venues in different states throughout the year. To qualify for the International Championships, you need to win a match in the format you are playing in to qualify for that format in the International Championships. You also need a certain amount of matches each year to qualify for the tour stops and be an active player with 10 matches in the last year to participate in the International Championships.
“Our first tour stop of the year will be in Wilmington on Jan. 17-19,” said Johnna. “The venue has sixteen 7-foot Diamond tables that will accommodate for 10 ball on Friday, 8 ball on Saturday, ladies 8 ball Saturday afternoon, 9 ball on Sunday and ladies 9 ball Sunday afternoon. We currently have 196 players registered in these events. We will be raising money to support sending all of our junior players to Internationals in October 2025.”
The following members of the Sandhills NAPA League placed at the International Championships:
Logan Hoy – Third place in Juniors 8 Ball and runner-up in Juniors 9 Ball
Henry Sevick – Runner-up in a couple of the divisions
Kevin Williams – Runner-up in 7 Ball and fourth place in Fast 8
Amy Williams – Fast 8 International Champion and 7 Ball International Champion
Robert McDaniel – 9 Ball International Champion and runner-up in 9 Ball Pro
Johnna McDaniel – Fourth place in Ladies 8 Ball and Ladies 9 Ball
Feature photo: Left to right: Henry Sevcik and son Logan Hoy, Amy Williams, Kevin Williams, Robert McDaniel and Johnna McDaniel—contributed photo.
If you have a sports team or athlete who would like to be featured in an article, please email [email protected].
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news and weekly e-newsletter, please click here.
