Red Flight (odds to win flight)
Oakridge (Even)
Just too much firepower for the other two teams to handle. Molina, Curren, Prather, Bert and the rest of the old guys will be tough to beat. I could see them having some close doubles matches with CC but overall they should cruise through this flight.
CC/Jolly (10 to 1)
My sleeper pick to win their flight but instead they slipped into the QT by losing in the final week of the season. I think they should be happy to get this far but their road gets cut short by Oakridge.
Westlake (100 to 1)
Back in the QT again much like last season I don’t see them getting any further than this. Eddie Johnson can hang with anyone at singles but past that I don’t see much going in their favor. I wouldn’t be shocked if they pulled a win over CC if they don’t bring their top 8 but not likely.
Blue Flight (odds to win flight)
LTF (Even)
They are just so deep it is hard to pick against on my preseason favorites. I thought Jonathan Marcus would be a big addition but I am not even sure he will be used in their singles lineup. With Tuorto and Blackburn they have some solid guys that can do damage. Richardson, Ferrell, Morrison, Hamaty, Bonneau and Barron are also tough. Oh and how could I forget new addition Mudsam, he should make a difference as well.
GH/Kayser (10 to 1)
The fall runner-up should not be overlooked like they were in the prior playoffs by me and others. They may not have any all stars at singles not that Sims and Stein are pushovers but not ringers at all. Too bad they had the DQ or this could be real interesting. Still they have great doubles experience and they will need to get on a roll again to make something happen.
CC/Carman (100 to 1)
I would go higher on the odds but that would just be mean. Congratulations to Canyon Creek for taking two teams to the postseason, 1 more than High Point and two more than LB Houston. Who said country clubs are at a disadvantage? The best thing they have going for them is nobody expects them to win at all so they will be playing and god forbid HAVING FUN, so watch out as many of you know a lot of us play our best tennis when there is no pressure whatsoever.
RED V BLUE Final
This is just too hard to pick but if I have to go with Lifetime because of depth all the way down to #3 doubles. Depth might not matter if Curren, Molina and Prather win their matches but if they do not then LTF should be able to handle the rest. I really wish both could go to the DCC because they are both strong enough to compete at that level and beyond.
I work till 4p that day but I will be right down the street so I should be there for the finish, look forward to catching this one.
BTW the rumor is true only one 3.5 team from Houston will qualify for sectionals. tenatively they are flighted with Wild Dallas so you might want to make sure and finish first at the DCC because I speak from experience you don't want to see Houston on Saturday, you would rather find them on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteCary, when do you think we will hear for sure about the Sectional Schedule?
ReplyDeleteIs it certain that Dallas will send two 3.5 teams to Sectionals???
A few weeks ago I would have predicted Oakridge to beat Life Time. But Mudsam is really an outstanding player and will beat any Oakridge player pretty easily in singles. (Mudsam is not as good as the two high school superstars playing for Garland but he is better than any other 3.5 player in the league.) So I agree with you and give a slight edge to LTF _ because of Mudsam.
ReplyDeleteBoth Oakridge and LTF have a bunch of really good guys and it will be a shame to see either team lose. Good luck to both teams. It should be a great match! Ticket sales should be very high for this one!
sectional schedule should go up on the texas site pretty soon. I got the info from the Houstonian contingent and it came directly from Sue Maurer in Austin so it is legit.
ReplyDeleteI will keep an eye on the site but I think you will see it very soon and then soon thereafter the ESR will be on that same site.
Definitely two dallas teams to sectionals, per Austin FTW, Austin and Dallas got those spots based on our participation numbers and the last wild card spot went to Lubbock which they earned through a random draw that included all teams with participation over a certain level.
I called the Dept of Homeland Security on Mudsam,
ReplyDeleteSo he should be in Guantanamo by Sunday and a non-factor for the Final.
I think Mudsam is a high level 3.5+ but a legit player. Not like the 4.5+ HS stars recruited by Garland. Mark Ferrell has a lot more integrity than John Sisk and that sleazy Garland crew.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is obsessed!
ReplyDeleteWe need a separate thread called "Garland 3.5 CHEATS".
ReplyDeleteAnonymous posters using the word "integrity" in a sentence. The irony!
ReplyDeleteI agree... Sunday will come down to LT vs Oak. I think Oak has defeated LT twice in the last two years. Now that they have Curren to go along with Prather, Bert, Molina, and some other tourney tested players, it could be another Oak victory. Where would that final be played on Sunday? I think I can sell a few tickets and make some money to buy my son some shoes.
ReplyDeleteJacques,
ReplyDeleteIntegrity and Anonymous are not mutually exclusive. If I give money to my church or charity anonymously, there is likely a high amount if integrity (but not in all instances).
Integrity, USTA league and message boards have far rarer instances of integrity.
Signed
Anonymous--just not the one from above.
Mudsam and Tuootuo are really good. I think the Oakridge/LT winner could grab one of the sectional spots. Garland/HP/Qualifier/Qualifier Runnerup are all worthy of going to sectionals and only 2 get to go.
ReplyDeleteThere is all this talk about depth, what would this league look like if you could have only 10 members on a team. Would give more players opportunity to play & really challenge a capt. in setting up his team.
ReplyDelete10 Member teams would cause a heck of a lot more defaults too. Injuries and unavailables are problems for captains. The teams that win often times have large rosters and win because they are not giving any lines up.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, a 14 or 16 member limit would be better and solve some of the last minute addition issues. Garland/HP/Lifetime had some last minute additions and as has been debated ad nauseum... they are all pretty good.
yep I would have defaulted at least a line in every match if I had only 10 guys. Heck I was unavailable for 1/2 our matches because I had babysitting duty and had my daughter with me.
ReplyDeleteRoster limitations don't make much sense but I do think they could raise the amount of qualifying matches for moving onto the next round of course it would need to be tied to the amount of regular season matches we play, with only 7 matches the current 1 and a default might be OK but if we get back to playing 10 to 11 matches (hopefully very soon) and someone is playing once and taking a default and waiting till the playoffs, then that is just shady.
The comment was strictly meant towards the blog and anonymous posters nothing more! But, thank your for making my point much clearer. I appreciate all the help!
ReplyDeleteUnderstand the challenge of 10-12 players & also the default. I have real challenge with defaults in that the score is 6-0, 6-0 and that is what goes on the record of the winning team. 0 games lost on this line. Now if I have to play that team that lost and they show up all players, I have to beat one line 6-0 6-0 to keep up with games lost record. I just think having fewer players, you would have a feel for your competitor & they for you. Probably would not be playing players just for them to get time on the courts as it all counts. To me you would then have a "team".
ReplyDeleteWell let's see . . .it started with John Sisk coming up with an idea for a ringer to change the spelling of his name so that he could inappropriately self rate 3.5. Several of the Graland players knew and approved of this scheme. When they were caught, and their ringer DQed _ the Garland guys lied to try to cover up what had taken place. That's integrity!
ReplyDeleteNext we had a solid 4.0 player sit out a few seasons and join Graland's 3.5 team with a self-rated 3.5. Not illegal _ but gives you insight into how Garland rolls.
ReplyDeleteNext, Garland recruits two High School tennis superstars. SNOTjock bloggs and tells us that he's played these guys in practice and it is very, very close competition. That's like saying Cary Bazan is very close in ability to Rafa Nadal. That's integrity!
ReplyDeleteOnce we see these cheaters (Glenn Flora and Zack Courtney) play it is obvious that they are 4.5+ players and they been been coached to keep their scores close. That's Garland integrity at work!
ReplyDeleteNext, SNOTjock Delira tells us how he is "practicing and working hard to make level 4.0". What a joke.
ReplyDeleteCheck TennisLink, SNOTjock played 4.0 in the fall and had a 1-0 record in singles and a 3-2 record in Doubles. If he was "trying to get ready for 4.0" he would be playing 4.0 now. His goal is to make 3.5 Nationals. And he is willing to lie and cheat to get their.
That's Garland integrity!
Next, AFTER recruiting two High School superstars that play at a 4.5+ level . . . SNOTjoke tells us to quit complaining and shut and play. Itsn't that wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGarland recruited these two HS ringers because they were afraid to play the other teams with their existing talent. SNOTjock and John Sisk were afraid to play David Prather, Marc Klamecki, Jonathan Marcus and others. So Garland recruited ringers to play for them.
That's just like picking a fight and then backing down and having your bigger brother fight for you.
SNOTjock, you have balls and you have no brains. You are a hypocrite.
You got others to do your heavy lifting because you were afraid you would get beat if you played #1 singles for your team.
Garland integrity at work!
Next, SNOTjock tells us YES, HIS PLAYERS ARE OUT OF LEVEL AT 3.5 BUT EVERYONE ELSE DOES IT.
ReplyDeleteIt is true the best Dallas 3.5 teams all have players that could compete at level 4.0 _ much like SNOTjock himself. But the other teams do NOT have 4.5+ level players which can virtually win any match they want at level 3.5. That's cheating _ Garland integrity at work again!
Garland, here is some friendly advice:
ReplyDeleteWhen you cheat, just go ahead and do it. Stop lying about it. Everytime SNOTjock bloggs he sounds more and mmore like a fool.
You guys badly want to make Nationals and you are all willing to cheat and lie to get there. We all understand. No need to continue your pathetic attempts to cover up.
yikes I thought I didn't like Garland, I think my dislike would be a friendly competitive 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, our friend here is way past 10 on the scale now. Any cheaters in the QT you would like to talk about Mr. Anon?
ReplyDeleteSo if Garland admits they are cheating you don't have a problem with it? Don't you have a job or do you spend all day at home reading this blog? You spent at least 45 minutes typing in this thread, repeating the same stuff you've said all season. Get a life and spend this much time on the court, and maybe you could have been a "high school superstar."
ReplyDeleteGarland,
ReplyDeleteGood luck in Nationals!
You have the makings of a good 3.5 team. That is what it takes to get there. I have heard it from other teams around Texas. You need a few 4.5 players to get to National. And even there the other teams have more 4.5 players. Some people are just bagging on you because they are not on your team.
I know Oakridge has a very strong team but I give Canyon Creek/Jolly a decent chance to upset them in the QT. Canyon Creek has 18 players and often they did not have their best line-up for local matches. If their best players are available they will have three very strong doubles lines. I think they can win 2 of 3 doubles lines and I think Reitzer can pull out a singles win for a 3-2 victory. Can't be sure but I think this one can go either way. (No disrespect intended for Oakridge because they can certainly beat anybody on a given day.)
ReplyDeleteReitzer, seriously has he posted a good result all season. Someone said he had open heart surgery, even with new wiring I don't think he can beat Prather, Molina, Bert or Curren. Heck not sure he could beat Radcliffe in singles.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know Reitzer had open heart surgery. But God bless him, it's good that he is back playing, even if it is at a lower performance level.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the USTA website, it looks like the 3.5 Texas Sectionals will be headquartered at High Point this year. Besides HP, sites for play include: Collin County, Canyon Creek, Spring Park, Huffines, and Northwood Country Club. (I think it is mostly the ladies that play at Northwood.)
ReplyDeleteLarry Reitzer can not beat any of Oak Ridges singles players. They also wont win all 3 doubles lines They may not win any.
ReplyDeleteI had a dream in red
ReplyDeleteWestlake beats Canyon Creek
Oakridge beats Westlake
Oakridge beats Canyon Creek
same dream in blue
Lifetime beats Canyon Creek
Greenhill beats Canyon Creek
Greenhill beats Lifetime
and in the maroon dream (red & blue)
Greenhill beats Oakridge (USTA DQs 4 players for OR)
Okay I told you it was a dream, didn't I.
???
ReplyDeleteI have played both Sims and Stein. Both are good players. This could be a sneak attack, with only having to win 1 doubles.
ReplyDeleteI like your dream! Unfortunately there are 2 nightmares before that dream comes true. One is Liftime and the other is Oak Ridge. They both have very good teams. It is good to dream! BK / GH
ReplyDeleteWhat's up w the Challenge ladder Marcus beating Molina 6-1, 6-1? I have heard of fake posts before (which should be a big NO NO to use someone else's name, BUT, is this a fake challenge ladder entry? How can that be? Did Molin'a get hit with a sharp stick in the eye, and jonathan made him continue to play? comments?
ReplyDeleteWhat's up w the Challenge ladder Marcus beating Molina 6-1, 6-1? I have heard of fake posts before (which should be a big NO NO to use someone else's name, BUT, is this a fake challenge ladder entry? How can that be? Did Molin'a get hit with a sharp stick in the eye, and jonathan made him continue to play? comments?
ReplyDeleteOn any given day, one player can play great and the other one just OK. It was Jonathans great day.
ReplyDeleteI would like to get a hold of that stick because I am playing Enrique on Wed. It might be his knee, if it is like mine it does limit some setting up for shots, I can step into shots now but before it was a little tough.
ReplyDeleteI saw dirty garland at Watergate.
ReplyDeleteThere is also inconclusive evidence that it was actually j sisk in the oval office. Monica lewisnky was simply the body double cover up.
1:13poster
ReplyDeleteHave you seen vinnie play? How do you know i ordered the misspelling of his name? George is as far removed as Vinnie! Questions on line answered honestly!If these guys were on your team they're strong 3.5,any other team 4.5+
Molina,Klameci,Curren,Prather are they 3.5? Let's play! Don't attach me to scared of any tennis player,I'm not scared of you or anybody! Surface from the darkness! I'm waiting!!!!!!
J.Sisk
Sisk,
ReplyDeleteYou and SNOTjock were so afraid you could not win _ that you recruited 4.5 level players to play for you.
Flora and Courtney are LIGHT YEARS better than Molina, Klamecki, Curren, Prahter,etc. AND YOU KNOW IT.
Wow...I have never felt so admired by someone I do not even know!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the attention!
SnotJOck
where and when are the qualifying tournaments?
ReplyDeletehttp://dps.usta.com/usta_master/usta/doc/content/doc_75_549.pdf?7/2/2008%204:16:08%20PM
ReplyDelete"light years"ahead are you nuts?! They have never played,How would you know Einstein? Surface!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn
I haven't seen Garland play this year. How do Flora and Courtney compare to Vijay Singh?
ReplyDeleteI would love to comment on the question about Flora and Courtney and how they would compare to Vj. But I would be a liar either way I answered. Plus, I have no integrity. So, I will pass and leave it up to the anonymous poster's BIG imagination!
ReplyDeleteI seen them and both Glenn Flora and Zack Courtney are way better than Vijay Singh. You'll see for yourself at the City Championshops.
ReplyDeleteit's anon again, i am sure we can trust him. If these guys were so amazing I think Steve or Corey would have grabbed them for their upper level teams as well.
ReplyDeleteboth will get crushed by the old Waco guy (Koziol or Kozumel??) I heard plays with an oxygen mask on and still crushes the opposition at 3.5.
I heard Courtney and Flora beat Jesus and Roger Federer in a doubles match 6-1, 6-1
ReplyDeleteBut Jesus was having problems gripping the racket because of the holes in his hands. :(
No you didn't!
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone talking about Garland? HP is going to Nationals. Just ask them. They have no doubts.
ReplyDeleteGrievance failed. Garland will bring the beatdown at the DCCs and you guys can't do anything to stop it. What now?
ReplyDeleteLet's see maybe someone will call Tonya Harding's ex husband Jeff Gillooly and Shane Stant to wait for Zack and Glen outside their practice facility?
ReplyDeleteThe practice facility is too rough for Jeff and Shane.
ReplyDeleteI knew Mr. Sisk was a good man. I could tell by his post(s). You other guys just need to try a little harder in the fall. I don't know, maybe practice as much as you scheme and blog.
ReplyDeleteHP and LTF will advance to sectionals at 3.5, Garland will be lucky to finish 4th ahead of Gleneagles at the DCC.
ReplyDeleteI thing LTF and Garland will advance... Not impressed with HP.
ReplyDeleteOC BL would take out Zack as well so I would like OC to win over Garland and others. No one is talking about them but they are pretty solid. They have Klamecki, Barnhard, Rivera and a couple of late additions that flew under the radar like Romero and Miller. Flores hasn't really worked out which would kind of sucks for them.
ReplyDeleteYou must not have seen Zack Courtney or Glenn Flora play. Both are far, far better than Klamecki, Barnhard, Rivera,etc. No disrepect intended for the Oak Creek guys, that are all very strong players. But Flora and Courtney are at a totally different level.
ReplyDeleteSo wow, all this talk about Garland teams only says one thing: Garland is the team to beat. I haven't read about any other team under such scrutiny. I say GO ALL THE WAY GARLAND!!
ReplyDeleteJermaine
OC is pretty tough. They will match up well with Garland. It's going to be a 3-2 match either way. I predict a lot of these City Championship team matches will be 3-2 narrow victories.
ReplyDeleteAll of these good teams, you could send any of those five (QT winner included) and have great representation at Sectionals. This is Dallas' year!
Looks like it is going to be a competitive City Championship with some strong teams across the board. Garland will come out on top only if the doubles lines play above average. It could be a close race between HP, LTF, and Garland
ReplyDelete