Friday, August 22, 2008

3.5 Fall Preview

So I know you 3.5ers are tired of picking on Ed and David and remembering the good old days when we could all just hate Durdy Garland but alas those days are over. Onto the future.

Flight A:
This is stacking up to be a good flight and I hope some of the better teams play each other early so we can see how this one will shake out. There are definitely some solid players in this flight and some mystery teams like Fretz and the Village who could muck it up and hopefully they do. I will be curious to see how Brookhaven will do without Evan who won some good matches for them in the Spring. I see them in contention like last time but not quite making it.

Pick to win: High Point
Runner up: Canyon Creek
Surprise team: Lifetime/Kaiser

Flight B:
I know many disagree when I announce a flight to be tough but this has got to be the best flight from top to bottom. Greenhill, High Point, Oak Creek, Stonebridge and Westlake. None of these teams were big time depleted from the Spring but OC probably lost the most. Picking this group is tough and I am not saying the Shores will finish at the top but they will not be an easy out at all.

Pick to win: Stonebridge
Runner up: High Point
Surprise team: Shores

Flight C:
This flight is a little light on talent compared to the other flights but there are still some good players mixed throughout the teams. I just don't see anyone beating Oakridge and Gleneagles other than each other but LB Houston could get in there just on pure experience. Canyon Creek has McHugh which should be good for one win but not sure where they can find two more wins against the top three teams.

Pick to win: Oakridge
Runner up: Gleneagles
Surprise team: ummm. I don't see one here so but as I said I think LBH will hang tough with these two teams.

71 comments:

  1. Flight A:

    HP looks decimated. They lost Harrison, Garudhadri, Jauregui and Atlas. Watanabe and Parekh are pretty good but neither can play singles. Chan is probably their best singles players They have solid players in Jamison, Rodriguez, Lafferty and Sutherland but absolutley no ringers. If HP wins, it is on solid depth and a weak league. HP will probably find a few people for the spring and be good again but with the roster they have, they are very average.

    I like CC, Brookhaven or maybe the Village. I know absolutely nothing about the Village except the entire team is self rated. That can mean they are either really good or absolutely nothing to worry about.

    My pick Brookhaven

    Flight B
    My pick is Oak Creek. They have holes to fill but less than anyone else. Weinman, Conley, Kotlarek & Depew are as good as anybody.

    Stonebridge will come in second but can muck things up. My pick is Greenhill for third. HP/Entrekin is the darkhorse because they hav some new guys that I am not familiar with.

    Flight C
    Appears to be the easiest and Gleneagles and Oakridge should battle it out. It is really a very dull flight. Maybe, Ratcliffe can get a few guys for Oakridge and blow the flight wide open and make it interesting. Gleneagles always has a tougher time because they are a little more limited on who can be on their team.

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  2. With Dirty Garland representin' at Nats, who can we hate this fall?

    High Point is always a good team to hate; you can never hate those guys too much.

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  3. Ok ok. Can you get the 4.0 preview out. That is what this blog demands. 4.0 talk.

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  4. as long as Bender is on their sideline cheering as they tank games then yep I would say High Point is a safe bet to hate.

    Check out those combo results, oh my makes Dirty Garland look like Mr. Clean.

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  5. I played on the HP combo team. we had 3 weak lv 4.0 players and a couple 3.5ers playing injured. Bender had nothing to do with the team. He didn't organize it, he'd didn't play or captain. And he did not attend any matches much less cheer. I doubt he even knew the match schedule.

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  6. Cary is underrating Crusty Oak Creek Yet again,

    the reason that teams like OC, HP, LT, or GT have good teams every year is that they have booming tennis centers with leagues and drill to scout from,

    Often time players are turned away from these teams,
    Where a team like GE or CC may scrap together a good team, but if someone quits or gets bumped the likely hood that they will be replaced low,
    I would look out for HP and OC to recruit strong,
    However,
    Ultimately the fall is just for fun, save the ringers for spring.

    The "Oak Ridge Boys" are always good for a reaction when ragged on.
    But not too much, We don't want those old bastards to have a stroke.

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  7. 3.5 teams in Dallas had a lot of guys bumped to 4.0. Fall competition will be below what we saw in the spring. I agree that Oakridge will be very tough.

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  8. i wish the fall was just for fun but unless something has changed the winner gets a DCC spot in July which is a pretty nice prize and keeps the fall very very competitive.

    The one thing that did change this year for us in Dallas is the Fall DCC is before the year end ratings. This is very different from before because we knew before the Fall DCC who had been bumped so beating some solid players in the November DCC could cause some bump ups that may have been protected all season. I like this in generally but for my group personally I am not all that excited but oh well, I do think it is a good change.

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  9. That is a good change. The mid-year ratings shouldn't come out until after sectionals either because that is when all the ringers and sandbaggers are exposed. Never understood that.

    I expect Oak Ridge to be strong. Especially when I send Ed some high school superstars. :)

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  10. Yes, Nancy, and red flags should be run every night at Sectionals so that cheaters like Flora are DQed on the spot.

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  11. don't get us started please

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  12. Nancy has one hell of a lot of nerve talking about "exposing ringers and sandbaggers" after all the blatant lies he told trying to defend the Garland cheaters (Flora and Courtney). Nancy is such a hypocrite!

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  13. It is a level 3.5 Preview. Noel is a 4.5 player. Why does he have to comment on a 3.5 blog? Espec about ringers and sandbaggers. Why doesn't he just leave us alone?

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  14. This is also a 3.5 Fall preview and what do John Sisk and Glen Flora have to do with that? You guys have no problem coming into the 4.5 threads and bashing me or Sisk or Garland. I only see 2 posts on here that actually pertain to the topic, so I figured I would keep up with the trend.

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  15. Go to hell, Nancy!

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  16. You're a good man Corey!!!

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  17. You guys that are badmouthing Corey obviously have never met him or you would have nothing but nice things to say. I've talked to him at several tournaments and he's only had nice things to say about anybody.

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  18. I know Corey better than you do. The guy's snake. The nice guy routine is just an act.

    Plus he has blatently lied numerous times on this blog trying to support the ringers at Garland. I don't expect much from bloggers but a little honesty.

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  19. You know me based on an online blog and you claim to know me better than somebody who has met me numerous times. Very realistic.

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  20. No one blogs as much as Corey Noel. He must not have a job or life. Corey is like a lady that can't keep her mouth shut. You no the type. Blogs constantly and most is worthless.

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  21. Nancy likes to yap!

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  22. I agree with some of those statements.

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  23. LOL. okay, finally something funny. that was good.

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  24. Personally, I am jealous of anyone without a job. Working is for chumps.

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  25. Anon does not know Corey!Anybody thinks Corey can't play,PLAY HIM OR SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stay off the blog,cowards!
    Sisk

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  26. I know I can't play double's!Would you like to play me in singles?
    Sisk

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  27. Corey can play! I am horrible,I've already reserved my spot with Bender for 3.0 National team!
    Sisk

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  28. If you're so honest and open then why can't you post your name? Maybe we should vote for you for president.

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  29. Sisk, your a cheater_ been proven with DQ and those that saw Flora. Noel is a liar proven multiple times with his posts trying to defend you guys. Now its time for you both to shutup.

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  30. Defending guys makes me a liar. And all the teams at nationals are cheaters. The team from Atlanta Garland will be facing had 4 DQs. Lifetime had 11 players moved up while John had 6. Which team is a bigger cheater?
    You have proven to be a coward by not posting your name.

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  31. Supporting your friends = good thing
    Lying = bad thing

    You consistently lied about the ability of Flora and Courtney. Comments like
    "they really aren't that good"
    "close practice matches"
    "all the top teams at Sectionals will have similar players"
    "miraculous improve" etc. etc.

    And to say every does it is very misleading. There was no 3.5 player in the state of Texas that was even close to Flora. I have never been to Nats but in Texas nobody did what Garland did.

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  32. Can we just stop this and actually talk about the season? Sisk is gone and a discussion on Flora can now move to the 4.0 threads.

    Was Flora too good for 3.5? Yes, not even Corey is denying that now. You win.. let it die. He is not going to Nationals and Sisk is. Whether you like it or not, you cannot change anything.

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  33. Corey,
    I agree with the prior blogger. Your comments supporting Flora/Garland were at a minimum very misleading.
    Also, it shows poor judgment on your part to come onto the 3.5 thread and talk about "exposing the ringers and sandbaggers". That just makes you look like a hypocrite and it irritates people that were victims of Flora/Garland cheating.

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  34. In all defense, I have decided that Courtney is not very good after all. He has 4.0 - 4.5 shots, but has 3.0 consistency.

    He tries to make the same shots today, that he obviously used to be able to make 5 years ago. But, he doesn't have the same court time anymore. So, he looks much better than what he actually is. I don't think he wins half his matches at Nationals (A thread to be started in October)

    NOT trying to get the Hate Garland thread going again, cause it does need to be dropped. but that is my impression of Courtney. (Of course we all know about Flora, so please don't bring that up one way or another)

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  35. I think the anonymous with the 1st entry knows a bit about the 3.5 league (August 22, 2008 1:26 PM). His picks for flight B look very good and I agree with him - Oak Creek and Stonebridge will be strong. I think you will also have to look out for Westlake, if their players are healthy. GH - BK

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  36. I think the anonymous with the 1st entry knows a bit about the 3.5 league (August 22, 2008 1:26 PM). His picks for flight B look very good and I agree with him - Oak Creek and Stonebridge will be strong. I think you will also have to look out for Westlake, if their players are healthy. GH - BK

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  37. Well I think we could have a truce here if Corey agrees to:

    1) Not blog about his concern for exposing sandbaggers and ringers. We all know that is not sincere.
    2) Not blog on the 3.5 thread

    ARE ALL ANONYMOUS POSTERS IN AGREEMENT? Corey is a 4.5 player and his buddies all play 4.0 so we should be able to have a thread where 3.5 players talk about our 3.5 competition w/o Corey's input.

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  38. It is hard to imagine that it took 1 post to talk 3.5 and 35 more before we actually talk about the league.

    I think the first post guy is pretty close but I think HP/Jamison is better than he mentions. Also, I think the league is pretty weak.

    Like the original guy, the Village team is the biggest wildcard.

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  39. The thing about Courtney is that he did not have a chance to show what he could do because he was injured. You could be right or wrong.

    But I have seen the top HS players from Highland Park and their top 2 or 3 always play at about a 4.5 level. So I think Zack played at that level a few years ago. He is a young guy. If he stays healthy he should again be an excellent player (way above 3.5). But that's just my guess.

    I hope he is well enough to play at the 3.5 Nats in October.

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  40. it appears there is a concentrated effort to get all players moved up one level by USTA. Maybe they felt there was too much of a difference between 3.0 and 3.5 or something? But it does seem like we are seeing that shift. I read that Sectionals was not near the level of playing that it was last year, so they are trying to push eveyrone up? I agree, the 3.5 looks weak this year. Lots of new players with opportunity to step up and play and win.

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  41. Which fall team has the most new self-rated players? Those new players often determine who eventually wins.

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  42. Just curious ... I no the DTA won't change.

    How many people think the fall winner should be given a spot in the 2009 City Championship and how many people would favor only a spot in the QT?

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  43. not a bad poll question to ask. I have often wondered if the fall should be different. Dallas is one of the only places I know that has a set up quite like this. I would find it hard to see the DTA changing the set up since our numbers really don't drop off at all in the Fall whereas if you check out the leagues in FTW right now you will see a significant drop in numbers, it was the same in So. Cal. I am playing on a 4.5 team in FTW, and there are only 5 teams whereas Dallas has over 20 teams.

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  44. Gosh, that's a horrible statement. It is about getting new blood into the system though, as long as people are playing by the rules. You can't have the same guys playing on your team year in, year out, as the better players eventually get moved up and out. You have to replenish with new players that have growth potential. That are not out of line either.

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  45. I don't know how serious the USTA is about moving people up. Lets wait until year end when 50% of those moved up are back. last year, I had a friend who was moved up mid-year and he did not play a single additional match and he was brought back down at year end. He did not appeal either.

    Some players have been at the same level for 5 years straight and been to the playoffs all years with good records and were never moved up.

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  46. "as long as people are playing by the rules."

    I think that is the problem; there are too many that are not playing by the rules.

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  47. Flora and Corey are going to Nationals with me! If they don't ask for I.D's both will be playing! I'm waiting for anon poster to comment about Atlanta? Corey speaks facts,is Atlanta in the clear Einstein?
    Sisk
    Are there any teams w/o any out of level players at Nationals? School me on a pure 3.5 roster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  48. Sisk, I hope that is a joke.

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  49. I agree with you Sisk, if I were going to nats. I would want the best players I could find. Those players would kill the local folks. I also believe that winning nats. would be a compliment to the competetion in my area if it were a close sectional or even city playoffs.

    Signed,

    I know, another Anon.

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  50. Anybody know anything about Village 3.5? They've got 15 guys on their roster and only a few look familiar.

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  51. I will take that bet that zach will win more than 50% of his matches at nationals and that's with mostly underhanded serves (which he has been hitting for about the last 5 weeks). He will beat anybody on either of the Lifetime 4.0 teams as well as the Lakes.

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  52. Really? Cause he lost to a not very mobile Brandon Myers from LTF 4.0 in singles last week in str8 sets in Ultimate tennis, whom would be ranked 6th? on the team for singles?

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  53. Oh, and that's behind Hill, Forest, Wines, Diano, Mudsam

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  54. OK John, I will bring my rackets with me to Tucson. I can pretend to be David Smith. Zack lost to a 4.0 player in ultimate, i don't believe it. How can a 4.5+ superstar lose to a 4.0 player?!?!?!
    By the way, how do we know you anonymous guys in this section are 3.5? I would assume 2.5 or 3.0 but that's just me.

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  55. It is always nice to get the gay point of view from nancy.

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  56. First of all how many guys could your gay man crush Eddie beat if he had to serve underhanded? Secondly Meyers would kill Wines in singles! So your rankings might be a little off, he would also probably beat the others you listed at least 50% of the time. Not sure why you are so anti Zach, he and Glen will dominate 4.0 singles in the Spring!

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  57. so is that why Wines played singles every week, and Myers played doubles all last season?

    I am just saying that he goes for too much. He has about a month to get better though.

    I would get that guy out 3X a week to rally the ball before nationals, excluding him from anything that requires him to raise his arm above his head.

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  58. To Whoever Cares, Senior State Sectionals at Newks Sept 19,20,21. Benders senior team Dallas Champs. Oak Ridge has been invited as a Dallas Wildcard. GO DALLAS!!!!

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  59. Why dont we stop talking about garland cheaters, Noel and all the ringers lets move on to a new season and start to focus on it.This section of the blogs is for 3.5 information and not all the bullshit on some of the other sections . Lets keep it within our level and its players. I think all the CRYBABIES should be on the 4.0 blog now. GOOD LUCK TO ALL 3.5 LEAGUE TEAMS THIS SEASON.

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  60. I agree and it would be nice to not have to hear from Corey Noel on the 3.5 blog. He is a 4.5 player yet he seems to like to stir thing up on the 3.5 thread

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  61. How about this? Until my name is mentioned in this or any other 3.5 thread, I will not post. I didn't voluntarily start posting in the 3.5 section, but you guys won't leave me or my friends alone. I'm not going to sit back and let everybody read these one-sided comments about garland.

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  62. Everyone volunteers to post in these threads. The GTC mafia acts like they are a gang. If one gets dissed the others jump the person. Many may post anon so that they don't wear GTC cement golashes.

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  63. Personally i dont blame Garland so much. sure they had a few players out of level. but sisk is not a bad guy. i do think noel has been less than truthful and deserves so of the criticism he has received.

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  64. Noel keeps posting on the 3.5 thread because of the gay connection with young Garland players

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  65. Corey is a pusher in 3.5's, could'nt beat anyone at LTF! Doubt if he could make Benders 3.0 team.

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  66. Corey has a decent record at level 4.5 so I'm sure he's a good player. But he heads up the Garland mafia and doesn't seem to be a very honest guy. And his obsession with the 3.5 thread is really sicko.

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  67. The 3.5 thread is like a drug. Every time I experience it I get less and less out of it, but I can't stay away. And it's shortening my life.

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  68. Nancy, you are a piece of work

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  69. How are you doing Eddie?

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  70. Someone could,nt let Corey out of the 3.5 threads!:):):):)

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  71. FLIGHT A (Toughest flight)
    1) Canyon Creek/Jolly
    2) High Point/Jameson
    3) Brookhaven

    FLIGHT B
    1) Stonebridge
    2) Greenhill
    3) Westlake

    FLIGHT C
    1) Oakridge
    2) Gleneagles
    3) LBH

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