NJ pool players beat field of 6,000, win championship in Las Vegas

Two South Jersey residents took home a cash prize after winning a doubles pool tournament in Las Vegas.

At the end of April, Joey Rivera and Jatin Bhakta of Somerdale competed in the 2026 American Poolplayers Association Poolplayer Championships. The tournament was held at Westgate Las Vegas on April 26-27.

As one of three annual APA tournaments, the Poolplayer Championships featured 15 divisions and more than 6,000 players.

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Joey Rivera and Jatin Bhakta after winning the APA 9-Ball Doubles Pool Championship.

The self-described "A-Team" of Rivera and Bhakta was one of 384 teams across the country to qualify for the APA 9-Ball Doubles Pool Championship division. “A-Team” regularly plays pool as part of the local APA league in South Jersey.

After two days of competition, the Camden County residents took home first place in their division, beating “Clutch of Latonia” from Kentucky in the final.

In total, Rivera and Bhakta won $5,000 with their victory.

Shawnee senior Tyler Rotkowitz (9) finds himself alone at the edge of the goal circle during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee junior EJ Martino (18) heads toward the goal during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee senior Tommy McAneney (7) pivots away from Kingsway junior Zach Connell during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee junior Grayson Santucci (13) pops the ball free on a faceoff against Kingsway sophomore Quinn Winters during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Kingsway sophomore Charlie Morris (22) closes in as SHawnee senior Tommy McAneney spans the field for an open player during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Kingsway junior goalie John McEntee, left, and Shawnee junior goalie Tyler Nusse touch gloves between the starting lineups before a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Kingsway senior Thomas Gardier brings the ball over midfield during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Kingsway sophomore Quinn Winters (1) celebrates a goal with junior Patrick Civitarese during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee sophomore Johnny Sears (2) and junior Grayson Santucci watch as Kingsway senior Micheal Conklin fires a shot during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee senior Jack Creaney tries to stand up Kingsway senior Michael Conklin (21) during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee junior Bobby Meehan (4) gets his stick in the way as Kingsway sophomore Charlie Morris cranks up a shot during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee senior goalie Tyler Nusse helps with the clear during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Shawnee junior Grayson Santucci (13) cradles away from Kingsway junior Zach Connell during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

1 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee senior Tyler Rotkowitz (9) finds himself alone at the edge of the goal circle during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

1 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee senior Tyler Rotkowitz (9) finds himself alone at the edge of the goal circle during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

2 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee junior EJ Martino (18) heads toward the goal during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

3 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee senior Tommy McAneney (7) pivots away from Kingsway junior Zach Connell during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

4 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee junior Grayson Santucci (13) pops the ball free on a faceoff against Kingsway sophomore Quinn Winters during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

5 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Kingsway sophomore Charlie Morris (22) closes in as SHawnee senior Tommy McAneney spans the field for an open player during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

6 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Kingsway junior goalie John McEntee, left, and Shawnee junior goalie Tyler Nusse touch gloves between the starting lineups before a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

7 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Kingsway senior Thomas Gardier brings the ball over midfield during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

8 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Kingsway sophomore Quinn Winters (1) celebrates a goal with junior Patrick Civitarese during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

9 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee sophomore Johnny Sears (2) and junior Grayson Santucci watch as Kingsway senior Micheal Conklin fires a shot during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

10 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee senior Jack Creaney tries to stand up Kingsway senior Michael Conklin (21) during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

11 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee junior Bobby Meehan (4) gets his stick in the way as Kingsway sophomore Charlie Morris cranks up a shot during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

12 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee senior goalie Tyler Nusse helps with the clear during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

13 / 13

HS boys lacrosse — McAneney, Rotkowitz hit milestones in Shawnee win

Shawnee junior Grayson Santucci (13) cradles away from Kingsway junior Zach Connell during a 10-5 Shawnee road win at Kingsway. May 12, 2026

Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at rinaganti@usatodayco.com. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: The 'A-Team' of Joey Rivera, Jatin Bhakta of NJ wins pool championship