Thursday, August 6, 2015

3.5 Round up - Attack of the Giant Swamp Creature from Houston


Freeman leads his 4.5s in to pillage the little 3.5 campfire.

Imagine my surprise when I saw Houston’s very own Jason Freeman was spearheading a 3.5 team this year.  Need I say more?  Since all his guys are at least solid 4.5/5.0 at every level I see no reason to think he won’t just be using the same players for 3.5 (driver’s licenses anyone?).  Having gotten close enough to see the prize in 4.0 the last few years I think he crosses the finish line this year and takes home a national title, albeit in little boy tennis. 
The 3.5 beast he rides into Dallas is so huge compared to normal 3.5s that you can barely see Jason himself leading the charge.  If you look closely though you can just make out Jones and his McKinney boys about to get crushed in flight play.

With that prediction behind us the rest seems a bit anti-climactic.  But, here we go anyway with two more predictions.  Dallas is down this year and Austin is up at the 3.5 level.  Not a fact, but a good guess.


I’d pick Austin as a flight winner but when you’re in the same flight as the pending national champions it’s a little tough.  Just look at that picture above again.  Houston to win flight 1 with Wild Dallas just edging out San Angelo to stay out of last place.

This is nature kids.  Wild Austin eats Dallas, Wild Houston eats them, and Houston east everything.


Flight 2 has Wild Austin upsetting Dallas (who clearly isn’t as good as the past few years).  Fretz went 4-4 in it's flight and had to claw its way through QT and City playoffs to get a  sectionals participation medal.   


They're cute but no match for the BEAST.


In flight 3 it could be a tough battle between Wild Houston and San Antonio.  I’ll take Wild Houston on a hunch.  Like I said, at 3.5 I don't know hardly any of these guys and I sure don't know any out of towner 3.5s.

Since they only have three flights, the best second place record advances.  Assuming the top record plays the second place team, I like Houston to beat any of Dallas, San Antonio or Austin, with Wild Houston edging San Antonio setting up an all Houston final. 

It’s that old 4.0 nightmare all over again.

63 comments:

  1. The only real question at 3.5 is - will Freeman play himself on Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why is Wiley 3.5 and on a Freeman team? Shouldn't he be on Clark's team?

      Delete
    2. Maybe you haven't heard but he moved to Houston months ago

      Delete
  2. And in case you were wondering, I like Bender's team to win 3.0.

    ReplyDelete
  3. not surprising, if Freeman can get Benzon down to 4.0 after being a 5.0 within the past 24 months, anything is possible. Pathetic loser captain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tony Le one upped him. He got 2 players up to 5.0 from 3.5 in less than 12 months. Nice work...

      Delete
    2. Lol!!! That s hilarious.

      Delete
    3. Uh, Red has certainly not been a 5.0 in the last 24 months. (hint: he was a 4.0 in 2014).. Try some fact-checking.

      Delete
  4. Don't win to many times. You will be suspended from usta.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lose too many and you'll be suspended.

      Delete
  5. Michael Kelley has been suspended one year from any and all activities regarding the USTA. He cannot attend nationals in November and is banned from combo and trilevel thru August 2016. This may be the best day in the history of the modern world!
    Thank you DTA! Thank you anyone who had a hand in this! This is AWESOME! DRINKS ALL AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pretty sure there have been better days. If this is your best, that is pathetic.

      Delete
    2. This is my best day! You are pathetic. You must be Kelly writing that because every one else loves the ban. Including every single person who has called or emailed with the news.loser

      Delete
    3. The pathetic actions of these people is what everyone should be focused on. If you think they just win, then you have never seen their behavior when it is a close match or they lose. It is embarrassing that Dallas has accepted this behavior for years. GREAT that something is finally being done to make tennis the nice competitive sport it should be. Except for this team, ALL of Dallas tennis is thrilled with the ban. The only people upset must be their own team mates.

      Delete
    4. Agreed. This allows clubbers and others a chance. As clubs we are entitled to go to nationals as well, not just them. I for one know I now have a chance

      Delete
  6. I hope that's true. Bender, Le, and all the other cheating clowns should follow suit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. They dont care about Le, he has not dominated. Kelley has dominated and they finally got him. Kudos to all those behind the scenes!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't know Kelly but the DTA being able to kick people out of tennis whenever they want to should concern everybody

    ReplyDelete
  9. Replies
    1. Pob because he wins but this is a joke. This would have made national headlines. Suspended a year, no way.

      Delete
    2. really Pearson? Don't be caught defending a tanker like Kelly.

      Delete
  10. pretty sure this is a joke

    ReplyDelete
  11. Not a joke. All of Alan's top guys are suspended. Alan, Gene, and mike. I'm sure this is not the end of this.

    ReplyDelete
  12. If the DTA has gone and done something as stupid as last time it may be Brandon and company that's out this time. Guess the new executive director has let everyone know what she's all about.

    ReplyDelete
  13. There will be a lawsuit filed. This is the only way to get the attention of the wrong doing of the DTA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunate but it may be the only way to drag all this out into the light. I'd bet there are a few people who will file it for free at this point.

      Delete
  14. Folks if this is true this is scary.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've always said I will be honest on this blog. I may be the only one. This is true. As of today Mike, Gene, and myself have been suspended. We will file an appeal with the dta, for what it's wroth. I still love that one. Once all the appeals have been filed and the smoke clears, I will give a full explanation of what happened.

    As of now, mike and Gene are gone for a year and I'm gone until January. The funny part is that I'm the only one that did anything wrong. Or that is not he said/she said. I called a person a female dog on the blog. I didn't name names and I probably never will. But, I received the smallest punishment. Until now. They may change it because the person who handed out the punishment reads the blog, but is impartial.

    Alan A.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you got suspended for something said on a blog, or even a match, I am sorry to hear this.

      If you and Mike Kelly got suspended for obvious tanking of matches and encouraging others to do the same, don't let the door hit ya...

      Delete
    2. Alan A. if this is true that is bullshit, tired of the PC crap going on.
      1 year is excessive since I remember USTA dropped the ban on the NORCAL team from 5-10 yrs ago that used illegal players at Nationals.
      Hope you file a suit and DTA takes it in the shorts

      Delete
    3. Alan's definition of being "honest' certainly does not match that of just about everyone else who plays in USTA leagues.

      Delete
  16. no comments until after all appeals have been filed

    ReplyDelete
  17. So how much time was talked about the "actual grievance" vs talking about 2 grievances filed against Kelly in last 10 years and 250 matches later?? Sue them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes!! Please "sue" a recreational tennis league that you have blatantly cheated in so that you can win a little trophy.

      Delete
    2. Completely agree with this comment - Great and true comment! Sue a recreational tennis league after tanking for years and harassing people on the court when the matches are close or you are losing ------ all to win a stupid small trophy at a level you don't belong in anyway.

      Delete
  18. Everyone knows the truth, it is because of their unsportsmanlike conduct and misconduct and bullying. This should have happened years ago. Way to go DTA!


    ReplyDelete
  19. What bullying. They just win.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Everyone knows the truth, it is because of their unsportsmanlike conduct, tanking, misconduct and bullying. This should have happened years ago. Way to go DTA!


    ReplyDelete
  21. Prove he has been cheating! ! That's what court dates are for, everyone has an opportunity to prove wrong doing, guilt or innocence before a REAL JUDGE, not a DTA appointed panel.

    ReplyDelete
  22. it will not be hard to look at match results in men's leagues vs Mixed/TriLevel/Combo/Tourneys and know there has been systematic tanking.
    Just going to require someone to do the work.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I for one thinks this move gives others a chance to win and I applaud it. He has dominated mixed around here since 2007 and is by far the best 4.5 mixed player in Texas WHEN he wants to. Let's give others a shot as I think ooodles of city, sectional and national runs should be kept to a minimum. I know Brookhaven and Canyon Creek are offering free happy hour tonight in his honor along with a lot of other teams around Texas. This is a win/win day and giving others equal opportunity to be a viable contender at sectionals is more than fair. There should be a limit as to the number of national he can attend. It is funny but with this suspension he will now have missed or been banned from his FOURTH national event. I LOVE IT!!!!!! 4 national events down the toilet! AWESOME! Go team fight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. just to clarify. Plenty of 5.0 Men who would be "the best 4.5 mixed player in Texas". They have just chosen not to tank to get down to and stay at 4.5

      Delete
    2. well, i would argue that point. Mike has a knack and knows the game better than anyone. Just that he makes it look easy makes most people think its a breeze.

      Delete
  24. We live in a great society n i have been lookin forward this day to arrive for 5 long years. thanks to all. hope u never play again.better part of this he will be so rusty next year it wont matter when he comes back he will be an afterthought and a joke of a playa

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sometimes it takes just 1 person to speak up and do the right thing. One brave voice. No more allowing this behavior. It may have been a difficult process, but I am proud to know her and call her my good friend. I thank her. On behalf of Dallas tennis it is obvious WE ALL thank her. We also thank the DTA leaders and volunteers who spend their precious personal time and finally made a difference in this wonderful sport. We all owe it to this one lovely stand-up lady who saw the process through and never gave up;as much as it exhausted her. Cheers to you and bringing spirit back to Dallas tennis!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers indeed. Evidently with a drink in each hand according to people who were there.

      Delete
    2. Don't be ignorant. It is easy to make things up about people you don't know. to believe liars and cheaters or what you read on the Internet.If you knew her you would know that was never the truth. Again as someone mentioned above, Alan's 'honesty' is very different from most people. he wasn't there so as a group they are pulling at strings to find anything to excuse their inexcusable behavior. Grow up and know the facts buddy

      Delete
    3. So if members of her own team went on the record about how embarrassed they were by her behavior that day would you consider how well you know her? Wait and watch. I already know.

      Delete
    4. Ahhh. Good ole misdirection. Would not expect anything less from losers like Alan and Mike Kelly.
      You guys can try to change the conversation but everyone knows you guys would fake a disability to try to win the special olympics

      Delete
  26. 9:15 PM is right on! Funny how Alan says he's always honest on here, but only when he so chooses to tell of something that went down, yet when you ask him specific questions, no answers. Fat ass go what he deserves along with his cronies, all there is to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great. This should settle it pretty quickly, Alan
      Which of the following is not a tanker?: Mike Kelly, Mike Pearson, Mike Zackary, Mary Zackary, Andy Alarid, Keith Clark, Yourself.

      Eagerly awaiting your version of "being honest".

      Delete
    2. Probably none of the above. I can't say positively because I never watch them play. I don't get beat on purpose, but I play with 4.0 players in 4.5 at line 2 against the top teams. I did not tank any 4.0 matches. I lost to a good player who is now a 4.5 and I usually don't practice during the men's seasons. I practice mixed.

      Will anyone match my honesty with leaving names.

      Delete
    3. 11:41 - How petty of you to resort to name calling and making fun of someone's weight. Jerk.

      Delete
    4. I don't mind. I'm a little chunky. But at least I don't hide behind my comments. Thanks for the support.

      Delete
    5. You may want to rethink that strategy. You've managed to get yourself suspended while admitting that the best players on your teams are "probably" cheaters.

      You seem to think that by openly admitting that your players are probably tanking but that you choose to look the other way to further your own ends wins you points for honesty. That's not being honest, that's admitting to dishonesty.

      Delete
    6. I don't mind what people call me is what I meant. I do not tell people to tank. But if someone calls me and says that they are a 4.0 or 4.5 and I can use them, I do.

      Delete
  27. I'm going to file grievances against BH and CC for their constant bad calls. Their calls are well known. Their facilities will be banned for life with their calls.

    ReplyDelete
  28. So far you have been pretty right on. Dallas did beat Wild Austin. Any chance we can beat Houston?

    ReplyDelete
  29. No way. What you see happening this week in 3.5 is gonna happen next week in 4.0.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What about in 4.5?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dallas made a fight of it.

    ReplyDelete