Only some early results so far with SA, Waco and Houston starting out with convincing wins. Although Koziol got pushed to 3 sets from a Wild Lubbock player so maybe that flight might be tougher than expected. We know how the Red Raiders fared last weekend here in Dallas.
Post what you know. I know the last Dallas match is at 4:30p so should be results coming in all day long.
Best of luck, yep even to Garland.
Garland just posted a sweep over NETX. Some close doubles matches but Flora and Harvey won decisivly in singles.
ReplyDeleteno add scoring due to heat today
ReplyDeleteNOHO just lost 3-2 to Lubbock. That division will be tough.
ReplyDeleteJust got back from watching Lifetime beat Waco on my lunch break. When I left, Lifetime had won 3 of 4 lines. Looks like Lifetime just may be the team to beat. They lost line 1 singles to Burgess Meredith. Waco's best players by far were on line 1 doubles but Morrison/Mahr figured them out and beat them in a 3 setter. We're on our way to a Dallas/Wild Dallas final.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that the only way to make it out of sectionals is by having ringers on a team. Garland has Flora and Courtney/Lifetime has Mudsam and since I live in Dallas that's all I know about, but I do not wish any of the cheaters any good luck-no matter which team it is.
ReplyDeleteDid they play no-ad last weekend? I'm just wondering because last weekend was about 10 degrees hotter and I don't remember that ever being mentioned? I've never heard of no-ad being played in any USTA event without a rain delay.
ReplyDeleteI guess it was not because of heat but threat of thunderstorms this afternoon
ReplyDeleteThere was a rain delay this morning.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time for Nancy Noel to chime in and give us the ladies point of view.
ReplyDelete"Flora is not a ringer. Those 120 mph serves are just an optical illusion." - Nancy
"Flora is not a ringer. Yes, he is far, far better than any other 3.5 player in the country. But that's just because all the other 3.5 players in the country suck" - Nancy
Lifetime wins 1st match against a tough tough Waco 4 1.
ReplyDeleteWon against NETX 5 0.
Both teams we played today had won their previous match against the teams we play tomorrow.
My hats off to Andy Mahr today, who must have activated his super reflex button on the 1st match.
ReplyDeleteMahr made some INCREDIBLE volleys and digs that no one has any biz making. Hats off to Mahr.
Second match against SETX was just ugly tennis by us and them. Lots of double faults and missed shots.
Garland might be in trouble if they don't watch out.
ReplyDeleteMidland team they beat 3-2 this afternoon got WAXED by Houston 5-0 in the morning.
Garland will have their work cut out for them at 3:30 on Saturday.
Congrats to Lifetime on a tough win over Waco. Our guys won all three first sets in doubles, but lost all three second sets, and all three tiebreakers. Good luck the rest of the way.
ReplyDeleteGarland is in good shape with Harvey and Flora almost certain to go 2-0 and then they only need one doubles line.
ReplyDeleteLifetime has a very strong 1-2 if Tuorto plays. Whitt is just does nto strike fear in many players. Lifetime will be stronger if Tuorto is available for Saturday and Sunday.
Who cares about Garland and Lifetime? They are cheaters have ringers on their teams. Ft. Worth is playing it straight up and it seems that San Antonio is too! It really sucks to see 2 of our local teams doing the same type of things that Houston has done all along. I could never root for Garland or Lifetime!!! Go Ft.Worth!!!!
ReplyDeleteUnless Fort Worth did not lose any player to 4.0 you can't say they are playing straight up. I don't care that much to look it up but I'm sure they did. I know it's sad to say but playing straight up will only result in losing.
ReplyDeleteI know all of the guys playing on the Ft. Worth team and they are all regular 3.5 guys and they will be losing several, but they are not anything like Flora, Courtney and Mudsam. That's what I mean by straight up. Maybe they'll lose, but that's OK. No one can win them all and it's better to lose playing it straight than to stoop to having ringers; anyway you look at it that's still called cheating.
ReplyDeleteHow is losing several,but are 3.5 playing straight up? On this stage or National,at any level? The team that advances to nationals,and gets beat,what does that make the national team? At any level?
ReplyDeleteI think most people expect a certain amount of out of level. Since I have not seen any of these so-called ringers, I will reserve my opinion as to if they are truly out of level. While I have not seen them play, I have seen a definite shift in the Corey propaganda from they are just high end 3.5s to they can play in 4.0 to finally you must have these kind of guys to win. If I were Sisk, I would put a steal his computer because he is not doing him any favors.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I think it is similar to speeding versus reckless driving. If one is going 75 in a 70, you are unlikely to get even a ticket but might get a look or warning. If you are going 80, you will get a ticket. If you are going 95, then you may get arrested and it is definitely at least reckless driving.
If these guys are truly way out of level, then that is unacceptable. If they are reckless driving that is what irritates the other players and captains who are trying to play fair. Winning at all costs is not acceptable. Whether it is true that you must cheat to win is not the point. If you gain the whole world but lose your soul... what have you gained? In the end you might win a 12 inch plate and an expensive trip to the desert.
Poster 6:06 am, you must be an idiot! Every team will lose players every year unless they're all playing way under level; the problem lies when a team gets players that can kill most every regular player within the level that they're playing in. That's unfair and wrong. If you defend that then you are the same, so there's no reason to communicate with you any further on this subject. Go Ft. Worth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlenn Flora is way, way out of level. Anyon who has seen him play will tell you that _ except for a few of his Garland cronies that lie to try to cover up. The worst of all of the liars is Nancy Noel.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have any doubts, just watch Flora this weekend.
I saw Sisk last night and heard the good news that they are 2-0 and I just saw LTF has moved to 3-0 as of this morning.
ReplyDeleteI am a little concerned about the Garland close win over Midland, that is the same team we dismantled and didn't drop a set in 2007 and if I am not mistaken they finished last in our flight.
But as long as you all keep winning 3-2 it won't matter. Their level of team bumps up as they play Austin and then will bump up again late in the day v. Houston
Lubbock seems to be having another good weekend, when the hell did they start getting good????
For the poster how is whining about Flora and Mudsam. It is easy to talk about them now let's see how they do in the Fall and Spring 08 before we start erecting statues of them as the greatest 3.5 players ever. I think Eddie would say Mudsam would be their 3rd best singles player at 4.0 and maybe even 4th so how is he soooo amazing.
And I also agree with the poster who said shut up with the 4.5 talk, anyone who says these guys are 4.5 has never played or even watched a 4.5 match.
Thanks Cary for adding some sanity to this blog. How did you do this morning? Sorry I didn't get to talk longer.
ReplyDeleteThat couldn't not have been put any better by 8:30 am.
ReplyDeleteIf a team wins nationals, then isn't that whole team technically "out of level"?
I think there is some speeding involved, but no reckless driving.
I have said all along that LTF has never sandbagged any scores. THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF CHEATING!!! I am sorry, but I will stand by our values and integrity any and every day. Not once have we every attempted to massage a score.
So, we have a really good player that is winning matches, and the computer says that we are within level. So, as of right now, we are within level.
If that changes, then we will move on. It would be a shame and a crime to tell someone to not win as well as you possibly can. Only That is a crime, only THAT is cheating, and THAT is NOT how we operate here.
And On a Final Note
ReplyDeleteI think the reason that he has not been DQ'd yet is BECAUSE he is not sandbagging his matches.
I personally think that If you beat a strong player, but then barely beat a mid level or weak player, that is how the computer, or maybe even the committee manually picks out players that are cheating.
I think that when you try to hide or mask, that is when you are more likely to have problems.
I know it is not Dallas but did anyone see how tight the Flight I group finished. Looks like San Antonio will advance due to 7 fewer games lost as they were tied with FTW via record, matches won, matches lost, and sets lost.
ReplyDeleteCan we say every game counts?
Captain Kinson blew there chances with lineup changes. He played Campos and must have thought he had a chance. should have stuck with Lecliar to win in Doules it would have been the difference maker!!! Maybe a lesson learned???
ReplyDeleteKinson was not the captain nor was it his idea.
ReplyDeleteGarland and lifetime both made it to Sunday semis.
ReplyDeleteGTC v SA
Ltf v Lubbock
Hey,
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to all the shit talking from Houston and Austin on our website, how we were going to get killed? Austin finished almost dead last with both teams.
Houston did not fair so well either?
Philip Key almost hooked called Garland out of the sectionals.
ReplyDeleteIn tie break match for what looked like was a critical match at the time, Key hooked MATCH POINT call against Houston. Ball was at least 2 but probably 3 balls INSIDE the line. Crowd went wild, and line judge over ruled the point and awarded to Houston. It was such a flagrant bad call it deserved a no review or point replay. It was an obvious cheat call for match point win.
Match went to 9 9 on that call.
9 serving 10, Hooked called 2nd serve out. This one actually hit the middle of the line, but obviously in... hooked that call for the win. Line Judge over ruled that call too and awarded point to Houston.
Garland ending up losing that line. Total match count was 2 - 2, but Delira & Defeo were able to pull out the final line win 3 - 2.
I sure hope that Sisk has a strong conversation with Key about flagrant bad line calling. If I was on that team, and we won that way, I would not have been able to sleep for a month.
I am glad ref awarded point to other team with no chance for replay. I was embarassed for Garland.
Philip Key has some serious damage control to worry about. I got two verbal first hand confirmations, Key hook called Lifetime and Glenn Eagles in City on flagrant critical points as well. That is not a reputation that Garland needs. They already catch enough crap without this being added to the list, don't you think Sisk?
I think Sisk needs to send a strong message to this player. That is NOT acceptable and we have a documented trail on critical points for Philip Key.
This is the kind of commentary that I have no problem with because you sound like you were there and saw what happened firsthand. That is hard to imagine Phil doing that but two overrules from an official is pretty meaningful. I've played Phil many times and I've never had that problem but there is often a difference in line calls between fun matches and real matches. The only question I can ask is were there any suspect calls from the other team leading up to this?
ReplyDeleteIf not, I will definitely discuss with John to see what the deal was. I agree with you that bad line calls should never be tolerated and I would never want to win a match that way.
Phi was lucky not to get a code violation for a unsportsmanlike, due to the flagant calls if they were that bad. Typically if a 3rd overrule comes into play there will be a warning issued and then it goes into the code.
ReplyDeleteThe calls were close and the ball dropped in at the last second. I think Phillip really thought the ball was going long and he missed the call.
ReplyDeleteThe calls in the match were fair throughout.
The referee was correct in making the overrule call but the first one should have resulted in a replay of the point. The ball was returned in play and was not a put away for Houston.
The serve was a first serve and was returned weakly and Houston put the ball away. In that case, the ref was correct in awarding the point to Houston.
I have no knowledge of the situations with other teams but I have played Phillip in the playoffs before and had no issues with any calls.
Garland earned a hard victory and should be allowed to enjoy it.
Good luck tomorrow to both teams representing Dallas.
RM from Stonebridge 3.5/4.0
It is well known that Philip Key makes bad line calls at crtical points in matches. Delira is another guy that does the same thing.
ReplyDeleteThey both fit in well with the Garland crew.
I have played Phil before. He was a nice guy but he made some terrible calls. I never argue a call but I do remember blatantly bad line callers. In most cases, I think bad calls even out but he was definitely a "if in doubt.. call it out" kind of guy. He definitely was not givng any close ones our way.
ReplyDeletejust FYI as an official an overrule of a call by an official is NEVER replayed.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster at 5:12 8/9. I'm curious where the shit talking from Austin and Houston is on your website. I play for Austin and we didn't even know this site existed until we arrived in Dallas and people were talking about. I searched around and found no place where any Austin players were talking shit. We came to Dallas knowing we were going to have some very tough matches, and like most teams thought we may have a chance if we play our best tennis, but it would be very tough. I can speak for all of Austin's players and say we applaud every team that made it to Sunday for good play especially Dallas for sending two teams.
ReplyDeleteAustin-er,
ReplyDeleteit is in the old blogs from before, in the history on the right side.
It would be a pain in the azz to find it,but someone blogged that Dallas basically couldn't hold a candle to Houston or Austin, more or less.
Poster and Corey,
ReplyDeleteAll is correct,nothing worse than a bad call or calls. Houston is a good team,I'm glad the match did not depend on that line! I'm with Corey! Bad calls suck!!!!!!!!
J.Sisk
Not to add to the dumping on Phil but last year when Leonard and I played him. Leonard had to say something because I served an ace (I know hard to believe) but it was a point to go up 2 games and he called it out. We ended up losing that game and the set and went to a 3rd set TB.
ReplyDeletePhil is a nice guy other than that but might need some glasses, maybe he and TQ can get a 2 for 1 special.
To Poster 7:33 pm. I don't want to harp on this too much, but this needs to be fixed and resolved before he takes the court tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe ball on match point was 2 to 3 balls in. It was that not close. He was not even running for the shot. He WANTED that ball to be out, and his heart over-ruled his eyes and mind. That has got to stop.
If he can hit a ball in the middle of his racquet he can see well enough to make a good call. I saw it, and I can't even give him the benefit of the doubt on the call. It was that bad.
It was a hook call. Talk to him tomorrow before he takes the court.
Sorry,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to hit enter, and just hit it earlier, while watching transformers movie.
thanks John. I knew you would take care of it.
I AM Roger LeClair. James and I had no control over what happened today! NO - James was not our captain! Whoever said that is an idiot and apparantly knows nothing of our team. To the poster that spelled my name LeCliar - IT BETTER HAVE HAVE BEEN A TYPO! Now then - SA will win tomorrow. GARLAND DOES CHEAT - VERY SAD - line calls, distractions, and WAY overrated players - I saw it for myself and I AM one of the best players so SAVE YOUR BULLSHIT EXCUSES - Any of you want to call me uninformed - just call me - 214-287-4476 - or better yet, pick up a damn racket and play me - or if your brave enough, play James and I - cmon - dare ya
ReplyDeleteOH, and to your point about us plaing straight up, WE DID! Dallas didn't! If I don't see those two players in my 4.0 Fall league this year, I will make it my personal mission to screw the Garland team as badly as I possibly can, and I'm sure I can get plenty of help. :)
Oh, I think it's pretty chickenshit to post under anonymous - Put your names - back it up - but I know you won't!
1. Learn to spell
ReplyDelete2. No I don't "no"
3. You just made my point for me
RL
Roger, are you throwing your captain under the bus for the line-up? What does it mean when you say James and you had no control over what happened to you today?
ReplyDeleteCarey,
ReplyDeleteAre you still pissed at T.Q. because you never beat him and most likely will not have a chance to better your 0 & O score. Key is a HOOKER!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I would never throw my Captain "under the bus". He did his best with what he had to work with. And.... we're from here you idiot.
ReplyDeletestill too scared to sign it huh? figures -
RL
Oh, I get it. The capt'n was doing the best he could with what he had to work with. What the capt'n had to work with was a 3.o hacker that goes by RL and RL has a big ego, is opinionated and throws his capt'n under the bus. If your from Ft Worth enjoy your drive home. BTW, why do all of you guys from the NRHTC have a need to hook. Is that considered part of the game in Tarrant Co.?
ReplyDeleteKey and Delira both make bad calls at critical times in big matches. Watch them today in the semi-finals and I'm sure you'll see what everyone is complaining about.
ReplyDeleteAnd that clown, Noel, will lie to defend the Garland cheaters no matter what the facts or circumstances. "Hard to imagine Phil doing that . . ." get me a fuxxing break!
LeClair is right, Garland does cheat.
DO WE SEE A PATTERN WITH GARLAND 3.5?
ReplyDelete1) Encouraging a player to change the spelling of his name so that he can self-rate at too low a level.
2) Getting strong 4.0 players to sit out a few years then self-rate 3.5.
3) Recruiting High School Superstars (that actually play around level 4.5) to join their 3.5 team.
4) Tanking and "Score Management"
5) Gamesmanship
6) Bad line calls
San Antonio: Watch your wallets when you play Garland!
My understanding is that you can request an official to call lines if you are thinking you are getting hooked. I know I did not have a problem with line calls from Philip Key, but my team mates and observers wondered about line calls at crucial times with other players from Garland.
ReplyDeleteThe Finals are set. Garland vs. Lifetime. :-)
ReplyDeleteGarland and Lifetime has made the finals. Both handled their Semi Final match rather easily.
ReplyDeleteI wish both good luck and the winner will represent Dallas and Texas well.
Congratulations to both teams and good luck.
I have played Garland several times now. Everyone is going to make a questionable call every now and then, cause you are running for a ball and trying to watch the ball and the line at the same time. It can happen on occassion, that is a part of tennis.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is when it is a bad call on purpose; Whether they just wanted it to be out w their heart and/or their is more then 1 bad call. Key was bad about that. I am sure that Sisk talked to him about it, and hopefully it is a dead issue at this point.
Like someone said previously, you can always get a line judge if you feel the need to do so.
Dallas v Wild Dallas final at 1130 am at high point.
Sounds like RL needs anger management classes. Sore loser with an attitude. Apparently thinks he is a Great Player NOT.Also Congrats to the dallas cheating teams making the finals.I Guess it does pay to lie and sandbag.Dont like either one but guess I will pull for lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThe 2 teams with the sandbaggers made it to play each other. May the best cheater win NOT. They both will rot in hell.
ReplyDeleteGarland is going to nationals so all you guys have something to whine about for the next 3 months. Looks like karma finally went their way after all the smack talk that's been against them for the last 6 months+.
ReplyDeleteGTC=2008 Nationals Champs.
Congratulations to Garland. They had the best team all year and it showed. They will represent Dallas well.
ReplyDeleteThey will represent Dallas also with the most ringers in the state.
ReplyDeleteTHERE IS NO GOD!
ReplyDeleteDirty Garland Won Sectionals.
To Poster: August 10, 2008 11:21 AM
ReplyDeleteYour such an ASS. We never cheated once. Sorry you might think our guy was out of level but we played within the rules, never sandbagged a match, and we have a computer system that, as of the time sectionals started, said we followed the rules exactly. You can not ask anything more of us.
To John Sisk:
Great match. You beat us... twice.
I am too sad to give it much more effort than that right now. My fingers weigh 10 lbs each as I type. BTW, All line calls were very fair in the Key match. Others may say things, but I say thanks for being a man of integrity and making sure we were good there.
I wish you guys the best. Go win it all. I really wish it could have been us.
Glen Flora should be DQd going 10-0 and never really been pushed. John Sisk ought to be real proud of his high school kids and Harvey.I am sure next year he will do the same thing again. Maybe Corey Noel can change his name and play 3.5 next year for Sisk. This stuff makes me SICK.
ReplyDeleteFlora is now on the DQ radar. Enjoy it while it lasts. Garland won't be able to squeak by 3-2 anymore without him. No chance at Nats. Sad day for Dallas tennis to let a team like that represent us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a poor thing to do-not play their ringer in singles in the final. They had one and didn't even use him when it was all on the line. A chance to go to Nationals and Mudsam was on the bench. Richie is OK against average 3.5 guys, but not at this point; where was Mudsam and why didn't he play for the biggest game of the year?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, who is this Donald Harvey? I guess he's another secret weapon(ringer) that slipped by the ringer radar. Garland seems to find them every year. I hope you lose at Nationals.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Garland and good luck. Bring the trophy back to Big D. Sisk I see you take a lot of heat on this board, but have never met a nice guy. The few times our teams played this year, I really enjoyed your team. Wish it could have been us enjoying the suds after the match today but it wasnt meant to be.
ReplyDeleteNice win and once again - good luck.
What happened to Mudsam? Not sure he would have beat Flora but I think he would have beat Harvey. Why didn't Morrison & Mahr play line 1? Aren't they LT best team? Got to believe that if LT would have had Mudsam and played straight up they would be going to nationals. Guess they didn't really want to go. Will never understand that one.
ReplyDeleteBMO,
ReplyDeleteCorey is not an asshole,I,m not worried about the haters.I would defend you if name calling were directed at you. You are a solid,rock solid player. I will contact you about next week. Our match could have gone either way both times. It came down to Jacques and Jerry both matches! They and singles were clutch!!!!!!!!!
Sisk
Harvey,Flora,Courtney anybody else wins for Garland are "ringers" What is flashy about Don's game? You have never seen him play! You're just looking at his flashy score! Anybody that has seen Don play this weekend,chime in!
ReplyDeleteSisk
To Sisk, no one called Harvey flashy. It was a question asking who he was, so grow up. If you're all of the time defending yourself and team then it must mostly all be true. Just be honest, agree with your adversary and go on to nationals. You've earned it, right?
ReplyDeleteMy oldest daughter was playing a soccer tournament in Austin (qualifier for going to Disneyworld in January). It had been on the calendar long before I even knew about the USTA Tennis Leagues...
ReplyDeleteI left town after playing friday. I really wanted to play but I prioritized my kids.
Flashy scores are more indicative than flashy strokes. John McEnroe did not have flashy strokes and he was still pretty good. Fabrice Santoro has down right awful looking strokes but he made a long career on the ATP. Since someone will think I am comparing Harvey to a professional... I am not, but flashy strokes do not tell the story.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see Johan prioritized with his daughter. I have 4 small children and would have done the same. In the end, this is merely 3.5 tennis. It is no different than church softball league; the only difference is we use a racquet and yellow fuzzy balls. I hope she got to Disneyworld because those memories with your daughter will last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI hope Garland's plane crashes on the way to Arizona.
ReplyDeleteI am never playing USTA tennis again,
PS
I hate Lifetime, too
Thanks Greg, yes she did, it's going to be tons of fun for her and the whole family!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to thank Mark and all of my teammates for the letting me play with you all, you have been great to me!
It was nerve wrecking being in Austin watching my daughter play and at the same time waiting for the next SMS from Dallas on the results.
You did an awesome job coming within one tiebreak of going to the nationals!
Prather,
ReplyDeleteMolina and Curren did not just flip a switch and become 4.0. Ryan is new,but how long have you enjoyed Molina as a(3.5) wink wink
Sisk
I watched the 3.5 finals today, and I don't see what all the complaining is about. Both teams had some players that could win some matches in 4.0. but there wasn't anyone that was playing way out of level. Someone has to be the best 3.5 singles player in Texas. Congrats to Garland, and good luck at nationals.
ReplyDeleteDo you want Harvey's Bio or do you want to meet him? Come to gtc on Sun at 2pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sisk
ReplyDeleteIf you look at LTF's Fall 2008 roster from last year they only added Johan, Turturo, Marcus and Mahr. Otherwise, it looks like the same team in fall that went 5-3. Four strong additions helped them advance but if you look at the play of the other guys who have been the nucleus of this team for the last couple of years, they made some very strong progress in their games. Just because they ended up as very strong 3.5 players that got bumped up, there must have been a lot of effort on their part to take their games to a higher level.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as familiar with Garland's roster, but Flora was head and shoulders over any 3.5 player I've seen. Still, Garland is going to have to win one doubles line every match to have a chance to advance at Nationals.
just curious, Mudsam is saying he was out of town but he played according to the results on Sunday morning against Lubbock?
ReplyDeleteDid you play quick and then drive 3.5 hrs back to Austin? Seems kinda odd?
Garland's flight looks pretty tough at nationals - Southern, Carribean, and Missouri Valley, all of whom have had pretty good results the past few years. If Flora didn't strike out, they may have a shot at the final four.
ReplyDelete5 things:
ReplyDelete1. Johan,
Congrats on the daughter making it to Florida!! That is awesome for her, and Greg Wiley said it perfectly, I have nothing extra to add to what he already covered perfectly. I am sure that every team had a player that couldn't play. I know that Lubbock couldn't bring one of its stud singles player.
2. We were trying to line me up on Delira, and Sisk outlined us twice. Great job of cat and mouse. That is part of the game.
3. Harvey is nothing more than a stragic 3.5 player. Ok. TRUTH. The guys strokes are nothing short of UGLY, but the guy JUST WINS. BTW, I saw Koziol play, and the same thing goes for him. Perenniel 3.5 players all the way. I did not see ONE 4.0 shot from either of those guys. NOT ONE. They just win, every time.
4. Nancy, My apologies. This loss today has made me believe that I think I now know what PMS must feel like. I snapped at you, and I apologize. I am feeling really sensitive right now. ha ha. I think I will be better in about 3 or 4 days... ha ha again.
5. I asked Lubbock how they all got so good all the sudden, and he told me there was a collective effort for everyone to play down in Lubbock. FURTHERMORE, the same Lubbock player effed up and told me that one of its 4.0 guys is actually a pro at one of the country clubs out there, and that he sandbagged his way through every match, including sectionals last weekend. (So, I am assuming you would be looking for the undefeated name)
I don't know if anyone has run DQs yet, but Flora has six beatdowns in six matches at sectionals, plus three others at DCC. He may not be allowed to make the trip.
ReplyDeletebmo, Check out Mel Mcree on TennisLink. He beat the 15th-ranked singles player in MENS OPEN, and yes, he plays on Lubbock's 4.0 team.
ReplyDeleteI cannot see anyway Flora did not strike out. If he did not strike out, the DQ counter had to be permanently turned off after the regular season. This in no way means that I hope he strikes out but I cannot imagine he could escape the computer.
ReplyDeleteIn the playoffs, he played 155 games and won 121. That is 78% of games won against all benchmarks. If you takeout the Mudsam match at the City playoffs it gets much more lopsided. If my math is wrong.. forgive me, I did it in my head but it still should be pretty close.
I hope he did not strike out. Also, I hope Courtney is able to get well for Nationals. If they have Flora/Courtney/Harvey at singles, they will be formidable. If they only have Harvey, they have a serious uphill battle.
Regardless, best of luck in Tucson.
Mudsam was gone since Friday. They recorded the ACTUAL match correctly on paper, but when they input it into the computer, they must have selected Mudsam instead of Morrison. I played with Andy Mahr everytime, like I always did.
ReplyDeleteCorey, I've only met you once, and you seem like a nice guy. On Aug. 7th, in the other thread, you said, "If he goes undefeated at Sectionals, then you guys can make a case. Until then, you don't have one." Are you now saying that the Flora naysayers have a case?
ReplyDeleteNo problem bmo. As I've said all along, I don't have a problem with people who are willing to use their name to state their opinions. I can assure you that John and I talk at least once a day and we are in agreement 99 percent of the time. It's a shame that pretty much the only reason I get on this blog now is to defend him or myself (and to boast about my own accomplishments according to everybody else).
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see John and my other friends on that team go to Nationals and I wish them the best of luck.
If I were in the 3.5 division I would be happy to see them go to Nationals because now you know you won't have to see that team again. I wasn't so lucky with Branch in the 4.5s but we will have to do better next time.
Congratulations again to Garland and I'm sure we will be at GTC pretty much every Sunday between now and nationals if anybody wants to come out.
David,
ReplyDeleteJust so I'm clear. It's okay to sandbag but just not by a lot. I know you've appealed back down to 3.5 at least once so why is it okay for you and nobody else? Obviously Flora is at the top end of all 3.5s, but I would assume that most teams saw him coming and stacked their singles lines to avoid him.
Glen is the perfect guy to have on a team because he only gets better as the season goes on. Did he start the season as a 3.5? Yes (evidenced by his loss v. High Point). Is he a 3.5 now? Obviously not.
As a team captain, I always look for the guys who have huge potential. For example, the players who played competitively in juniors and have stopped playing.
One thing you guys don't seem to understand is that Glen and Zack both filled out the self-rate form honestly and were recommended to sign up at 3.5. The grievance was filed on Zack and Tosha and the rest of the committee agreed he was at the proper level. Now the complaints about him have stopped, partially because of his injury I'm sure.
Unless your team has no self-rated players or nobody moved up to 4.0, I don't see how you can complain. Players from both Lifetime and High Point have come out and congratulated John and the rest of his team, when will you do the same David?
I saw Harvey play, and he would be lost at 4.0. His strokes and ball placement would never hold up to an even average 4.0 player. His shots are slow and sliced into the corners with no pace. An even decent 4.0 player would tee off on his shots and sink them down the lines easy.
ReplyDeleteBMO,
ReplyDeletethx good man! I'm sensitive to those close to me,including you! I'm in your fox hole!
Sisk
Prather's performance this weekend should grant him another 3.5 rating!Step up!!
ReplyDeleteSisk
Greg,
ReplyDeleteOn your 3.0 national team,how many were 3.0?
Prather,
ReplyDeleteThat is all I have,would you like to play singles for money?
Sisk
Me! Corey would crush you,no fair!
ReplyDeleteSisk
All I do is defend Sisk and all you do is attack him. What's the difference? What about De La Rosa? That's old news. He wouldn't have even been in the top 8 on Garland's team by the way. It would have been better for John's reputation if he did play. I just want to find out what your rules are. It's okay to play 3.5 if you are a 4.0 but not if you are a 4.5. You don't go after Jacques because he is your friend but you criticize me for defending mine.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if you want to attack John for his recruiting or strategies or whatever, what I have a problem with is you attacking the character of somebody you don't even know. This is just tennis. John has a family and friends just like anybody else and all of them will attest to his character outside of tennis.
You pick a partner and John and I will take you guys on anytime.
Get your facts straight man. Glen Flora was a luck find clear and simple. His company had just moved him to the area and he happened to work around and live in Garland. He found a local tennis center and was basically discovered. There was no time for him to play tournaments or do anything of that sort. The fact is the rating system is working. Glen was moved up and in the Fall you will see him on the 4.0 team. There was no conspiracy.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is worthless and isnt even about tennis majority of the time.
ReplyDeleteThose who can play do, those who can't spend there day writing negative crap about people, prodding them hoping for a response so they can attack them even more.
I do give Prather a little credit, although I disagree completely with what he says, at least he post his name.
JB
Sisk = Winner Of Texas Sectional. Good luck at Nats.
ReplyDeleteMudsum Family deal = I'm crying and have goose bumps.
Prather = Avg. 3.5 but good 3.0 player and sore loser w/ a pocket full of excuses. He did'nt play bad this weekend, thats his normal game. Here's a 1/4, call someone that cares. Unbelievable.
Prather may not be articulating his point very well, but what he says has merit. There is a significant difference between a player that has a computer rating based on tons of matches that create that rating and a self-rated player that goes undefeated at sectionals and many agree is out of level (whether 4.0 or 4.5)
ReplyDeletePrather has a strong history at 3.5 and has been bumped, appealed, and been bumped again. He says he will stay at 4.0 (time will tell)
The appeal of computer ratings is a USTA option that many don't agree with but that is the current rule.
Which players made the biggest difference in the playoffs? How many of them were self-rated?
Flora, Harvey, and even Defeo were all self-rated. They went a combined 24-2 in the play-offs, including all three lines that won the final match.
Hopefully, that helps make the point about self rated players. By the way, the fact they get bumped after the season does not change the fact that they unfairly alter the current season.
Dallas 3.5 player
Congrats to both teams, they played really tough today. It was a wierd ending. Jonathan and Vance were on fire in the 2nd set and looked as if they might just win the TB 10-0 but it just unraveled so quickly and they couldn't get back on track. Defeo and Delira had a lot to do with it because after playing some subpar games they were able to regroup and win the deciding match.
ReplyDeleteAs far a the bitching and moaning as much as I enjoy reading it and getting a chuckle out of it I am not sure it will lead to any good. The USTA obviously needs to make some changes and I think in time our system will be revised but there will always be people trying to work the system. Heck I got called a cheater this weekend and I haven't even won anything at 4.0...yet.
I will say to Prather that if these two teams made it to the fin als it is shows that something is working in the system because most of the tennis I watched looked like 3.5 tennis and I can't say the same for 3.5 sectionals in 2007.
Good luck in AZ Garland.
NANCY NOEL IS SUCH A LIAR!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you "Google" Glenn Flora you'll find that he played #1 singles on his High School team in Indiana both Junior and Senior years. (One of the top HS in Indiana for athletics.) He was NOT a 3.5 player at the beginning of the year. That's ridiculous and just Nancy Noel lying again.
Flora is a solid 4.5 player. Not the best 4.5 player in Dallas but he would win 50% of his matches playing 4.5. Anyone who says different is either a liar (like Noel) or a moron.
Congrats to John Sisk and Garland. The whole Sectionals experience was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks once again to our captain Mark, I loved how he gave everybody an opportunity to play and be a part of the Sectionals experience this past weekend.
Hats off to Jerry and Jacques, they outplayed us in that tiebreaker, but being on centerstage for that final set with most eyes on our match was a lot of fun.
Zack COURTNEY
ReplyDeleteCourtney could not play at Sectionals because of a shoulder injury.
But Courtney played #2 singles for Highland Park High School when they finished 2nd place in the Sate Championship. The guys has been playing tennis since he was knee high to a grasshopper. And he has had outstanding coaching along the way.
And, yes, the top Highland Park High School tennis players play at about a 4.5 level every year. That's a fact.
He's another guy that should NEVER play 3.5.
NANCY NOEL HAS NO INTEGRITY WHATSOEVER. He knows that these High School supstars have no business playing 3.5. Yet he will lie all day long to defend them.
It is disgusting and ridculous for Nancy Noel to compare his High School superstars with guys like Prather and Molina that have played 3.5 for many years and just have improved over time.
ReplyDeleteThese are young guys that played 4.5 level tennis in High School.
Dave Prather is a great guy who is always honest. I would trust him with my wallet any day.
Nancy Noel is a chronic liar and total scum. If you have seen those High School guys play and go back and look at Nancy's comments _ that should be obvious to everyone.
John Sisk should not put High School superstars on his 3.5 team. Although a lot of others cheat as well, that does not make it right. (I'm a 4.0 player and I know what a 4.5 player looks like!)
ReplyDeleteBut worse, in my view, is Corey Noel who has obviously been lying to try to defend the Garland team. I do not agree with calling the guy "Nancy". But I do agree with most of the negative comments made about the guy. He certainly likes to play fast and loose with the facts.
All of that high school information was put on the self-rate form that both Glen and Zack filled out which recommended them to play 3.5. Tosha Smith in Austin is also aware of this information and continued to allow Zack to play 3.5. Whether Glen played high school tennis in Indiana or not I have no idea but I don't believe he or Zack picked up a racket for 5 years or more.
ReplyDelete4.5 players know what other 4.5 players look like, 3.5s don't. There were several 4.0 players watching the finals yesterday and they did not see anything suspicious.
You can keep calling me a liar but my opinion isn't going to change.
i'm starting to be hurt by all this "not a 4.5" talk. i guess i have to work out the problems with my serve.
ReplyDelete-HS superstar
THE LIES CONTINUE . . .
ReplyDeleteFlora slowed things down in the finals and took a lot of pace of the ball because he knew a lot of people were watching _ and he was having a VERY easy time with Tuorto.
No 3.5 player in the State of Texas is even close to Flora.
Both Flora and Courntey played at a 4.5 level in High School. That's well documented and Nancy knows that.
You just can't believe anything Nancy says!
What level someone played at in high school is not relevant unless they were Super Champ, anything less doesnt mean squat.
ReplyDeleteEveryone on this board, including John and Corey will probably tell you these guys are not 3.5 players. Only the real idiots would suggest they are 4.5 players now. he fact is the day these guys joined the team they were boderline 3.5/4.0 players, mostly due to the fact they hadn't played tennis on a regular basis for some time. Thanks to the league and John's practices they got better and were true 4.0's by the time sectionals came. All within the rules.
Does anyone know if USTA Texas runs the computer after each sectionals to see if there are any strikes leading to a DQ? I saw that mentioned on the Houston League blog.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is hilarious - it is so obvious this is the same4 guys posting over and over again. You have John and Corey on the defense and Prather and one guy on the attack. Mr. Anonymous thinks he is sly by posting over and over again to give the impressions so many people feel the way he does.
ReplyDeleteAre we to believe that Corey Noel did NOT know his two HS tennis superstars played tennis in High School??? What a joke! (After all the time they spent together?)Noel is just making things up as he goes along. Really pathetic!
ReplyDeleteAnon #3
The Txeas Section will run the NTRP computer and if any player picked up a third red flag during Sectionals they cannot play at Nationals with their team. However, all matches played at Sectionals stand.
ReplyDeleteIf that is the case, when do they run the computer. Like the guy said up above, Flora's results are probably making Sisk a little bit nervous.
ReplyDeleteIf that is the case, when do they run the computer. Like the guy said up above, Flora's results are probably making Sisk a little bit nervous.
ReplyDeleteCan the winning PLEASE STOP!! someone please stop attacking, and someone please stop answering.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing anyone can do. The guy will be good, but still lose matches in 4.0, and Did anyone see the Lubbock autrocity from 4.0? I would have thought that would have stopped the talk about Flora.
Can't we find anything else to talk about? I think we need to change the thread to the whine thread. You can't do anything about it anymore. There is no point to it.
I FIGURED OUT HOW TO RESOLVE THIS!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we arrange a match between Glen Flora and Forrest Fueille off the record. I would love to go watch that match. Make it a full 3 sets, and arrange it somewhere where the courts are good for watching, and you can drink beer somewhat openly.
Allen High School? They actually have some decent stadium seating, and no one is going to be checking coolers there. How about this Sunday?
If nothing else, it will settle the blog crap, AND, if he does win, it is still off the record and won't hurt GTC. Of course, I have checked with neither player, but I would hope both would be up for the challenge.
There stills of play are almost the exact same, but we get to see Flora play against a proven player.
ReplyDeleteI really could not put odds on that match, cause it is just an unknown. Flora has never played a proven 4.0 player, and that is exactly what Forrest is.
ABSOLUTELY NOT - I WILL NEVER LET THIS GO. NANCY and SISK cheated all the other Dallas Teams and frankly all the other State teams at sectionals.
ReplyDeleteThey knew these kids could wax half the people in 4.5 QT tournament and yet played them at 3.5 anyways.
The problem with that scenerio is that Forrest got bumped to 4.5 and Flora to 4.0. Even though there was a protest to get bumped back down, Forrest is still a 4.5 level player, and Flora, 4.0. Different levels.
ReplyDeleteumm, is VJ not a proven 4.0 player. What about Trey? Some of us have already seen Glen play 4.0 players. Forrest would tear Glen apart - sorry to disappoint but it wouldnt even be close and I don't really see where either player would have anything to gain from that match. If Glen were to somehow win - then he is the biggest cheater/sandbagger to walk the earth. If Forrest wins - he beat a 3.5 bump up. The beer sounds nice though.
ReplyDeleteGarland and Lifetime, Congratulations to both teams on a tremendous run through sectionals! Having played many of the players and watching the rest several times on both teams I can honestly say that all of the players are great guys (contrary what what several people have been saying that dont really know them). Some of the tennis this weekend was better than others but the bottom line at this point is winning and advancing. One team did that slightly better than the other. I have nothing but admiration for all the teams that make it this far regardless of the "ranking" of the players. Good luck to Big John, Danny and the rest of his team at Nationals I hope they bring a championship back to Dallas! And to Bmo, Mark and the rest of Lifetime you guys played great and came up a hair short, nothing to hang your head about. See you Liftetimers on the court! It was great watching you guys battle and compete with each other and at the end of it all shake hands and respect each other, thats what it should be all about! Way to go guys!
ReplyDeleteKim
um...i'm a houstonian, but i'm having trouble figuring out exactly what garland did wrong?
ReplyDeletedid they lie on their self-rate forms? did they purposely lose matches and/or "massage" scores? or did they simply find a very good player and put him on a 3.5 team when he was probably better than that? last time i checked, that's not against the rules...
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get a SANE and moderated Pre-Season discussion going over and my forum,
So come by, Register for an account,
and post something,
http://dallastennis.yuku.com
Not that Cary's blog was not ground breaking, But it's just a runaway train now.
You can't win in an argument versus an Anonymous poster.
There are too many here throwing stones from behind the safety of the anonymous shield.
Congrats to Garlands 4.0 level team going to 3.5 Nationals.I dont know John Sisk but almost everyone except Cory Noel thinks he would do anything to win.Good High School players should not be playing at 3.5 level. The self-rating system is not working like it should It allows too many players to play a level below what they should. David Prather has been my best friend for about 25 years. He is the most ethical person I know but is being attacked by this blog for it.He has been my teams Captain and has never done anything that would be considered cheating!!! I just wish other teams Captains had the same values he has. We lost to Lifetime in the finals of Qt and congradulate them for a Great season. Too Bad Mudsam could not play Sunday. Possibly a different Winner going to Nationals??? Looking forward to the upcoming Fall Season.
ReplyDeleteoc bl - just curious why your site is going to be any different. I mean the first post I read on your site calls out Garland as Dirty and Bazans team as GAY. You want to get people to jump on board, stick to tennis and lets try to remove the bashing of other people/teams.
ReplyDeleteyep Marc we got a let John get his since Rusty Branch took it hard last weekend and he didn't even win the tourney.
ReplyDeleteI will post you a preseason thread so we can talk about the fall but I feel like we just finished the Spring.
It's all about the blog tourney, the fall league is merely a diversion until Eddie is healed and challenges us all again in a few months.
I do find it funny that playing HS is so amazing, I played for only one year but in that time worked up the ladder to become our top doubles player, I guess I should have realized then I have no biz playing singles. Our top two singles players at SGPHS would be top tier 3.5s and mid range 4.0s but not way out of level. I am still looking for them in the yellow pages though, anybody know Fray Walker? And that hot chick that played singles, Thuy I believe, short tennis skirts and muscular ankles OH MY! But I digress.....
I have read enough and I am just dissapointed in a few people. First off, I am extremely pissed that anyone would call Phillip Key a cheater. He may have made a bad line call at a critical moment But known cheater, no way..I am sure you would never mention the number of times he plays out balls during a match..He is the worlds worst at playing balls that are out than calling balls in---out! Honestly, I think he has more of a sight issue on fast serves than any other type of shot...He may have sight issues on that note. But a cheater..no way..you do not know this very kind and fair man..Be careful with the name calling when referring to Phillip. Just be warned!
ReplyDeleteDavid---I know we are friends..but I am sad and dissapointed to read your comments. I will stand behind my team only because I have known these guys for about 4 years and all of them are good people! Especially, Big John! He is a great guy and good friend. Maybe, it is time for us to join forces for next years 3.5 team I know for a fact both your guys and our guys would and could all become great tennis buddies if we just gave it a chance! I know you and Ed and Enrique and the rest of your guys and I think it would be a great idea! Think about It! You will always be my friend too! No matter what has been said or what will happen in the future. Our friendship is with no conditions!
I also want to thank Lifetime Fitness for their sportsmanship and just being a great team with awesome guys. I have met most of you and this win kinda sucked because I would have felt better beating Houston for the final than Lifetime because I think Brian and the rest of the crew are just cool guys and I hope our teams get together for some club play and beers!
Brian! let's talk about the team playing again..5 lines using our line ups straight up...I will buy the keg of beer and Phillip some contact lenses and our team will supply the burgers and hot dogs and tater salad. You guys just show up and come exact your revenge and have some fun...I just volunteered our guys for food. I guess they will get the info once they read the blog..John? What do you think?
Kim..I second your thoughts!
since this is about Noel, why does his team get to stay on the 4.5 league roster, when he only had 5 players sign up. I thought you had to have 8 signed up to play fall league by last night.
ReplyDeleteI like to have fun,
ReplyDeleteAnd I like funny things,
But I am getting really close to not coming here anymore, because this is not "tongue in cheek" anymore.
This is bordering on Cartoonish Super Villainy.
People are being attacked and hurt in a cowardly fashion.
To the best of my knowledge I was the very first person to ever post a comment on this site and this maybe my last post.
You can no longer come here and make a point with out being drowned out by the yelling of a million anonymous malcontents.
I have tried to do a lot to make this blog fun,
Contributing my meager IT and photoshop skills and admining the challenge ladder.
But,
Frankly I don't know why I should bother with such a hateful and petty bunch.
(Not everybody, But you know who I am talking about)
Why does everyone have a man crush on Forrest? He should have been a 4.5 to begin with. Didn't he play at UTEP or somewhere like that. Similar to Baird and Hanna playing for DBU,he should have never been allowed to be a 4.0. He's just playing at a time when there are average 4.0's and he's way about their level, allowing him to win the majors like he does.
ReplyDeletePrather, Molina, are nice guys. Sisk is like the " Jason Freeman" of Dallas, minus the Exxon stock he gives his players. Very sad that a grown man, like Sisk, would damage the reputation of a whole tennis community, just for selfish reasons. High school kids, unless, they have been not playing for 6-8 years, should not be rated at 3.5, especially right after school, it's ridiculous and I am hoping he will have a reduced star lineup for NATS so his team gets their ass kicked.
ReplyDeleteMarc. I get where you are at man. I was there a few months ago with this site when anons that don't know me kept saying dumb stuff and questioning that I was injured (i have 5 screws and 3 holes in my shoulder to prove it). I think some civility is needed on this site. I know it was voted to keep anons, but this is just crazy now. I think there were about 5 dumbass anons that voted 100 times to keep the anonymous posted available. something must be done or most of the good guys will treat this site like the National Inquirer. Look at it in the grocery line to see the carnage, but never buy in. Eddie
ReplyDeleteMaybe create some IT structure that only allows you to post anonymously 1x per stream from the same computer. or have it where you have to register to post. you could still post anonymous, but you know that if you get out of hand the owners of the site could look you up and put it out to the other bloggers that it was you posting anon. Do something
ReplyDeleteForrest went to UNT. I did think it was funny once his 4.0 appeal was granted, the Golden Boy status started to fade.
ReplyDeleteThe site needs a moderator. If a post is no longer informative and just some anonymous asshole making a BS statement - delete it. Frankly Carey, I doubt it would come to this, but as this is your blog, you are making yourself open to a law suit (I know its sad that its possible), but if someone is slandered here in a way that they could prove hurt their business or reputation, they could sue you. It probably isnt likely, but do you really want to leave yourself open to that?
ReplyDeleteI like the layout of OC BL site - as it isnt a blog, but more of a bulletin board where users can actually create threads and have responses posted to it.
Once again - if you start a blog or site, it has to be moderated or you will find that site ends up just like this one - haven for hate mongers.
You guys need to lighten up. I'm always getting bashed on this blog. It's no big deal. I just look at it as harmless BS. If you can't take the bashing then quit reading the blog. If everyone was nice it wouldn't be any fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat news I just talked to my job an they will allow to just babysit you all 365 days a year and still give me a paycheck every two weeks.
ReplyDeleteAre you all serious, I will revisit the idea of not allowing anonymous posting in the future but for the time being you guys get your panties out of twist. BTW Eddie I don't like the Enquirer but I ready US Weekly like a bible.
There is always going to be a few who are crazy as there are in actual play (Renwick, Northcut, sorry I couldn't help myself) but each time someone responds to them it gives them power.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised by some of these whinings since I have had plenty of players who act the same way and no longer play on my teams ("don't play me with him", "I don't like doubles but I can't win singles", "put me with the best player at line 3", etc)
Puhleeeeeeeez!
Also I am always open to someone to help with creating posts and moderating, etc. The pay is minimal, actually it is a negative amount so keep that in mind.
All of a sudden I am missing tournament play from this weekend. No drama, just people playing tennis.
I second that. We don't need these constant anonymous postings.
ReplyDeleteThe original intent of this blog was to talk about upcoming league matches or tournament matches and talk about matches that were just played.
Personally speaking, I would have loved it if someone spoke up and said that in a 3.5 Sectionals Finals match with no heat index anywhere to be found, cool wind blowing very pleasantly, why we couldn't have played that third set out.
Don't know if the outcome would have changed, but would have made for an even greater final match on our end. Not complaining just asking the question.
Jonathan
I am not crying about it. As a competitor I don't mind people talking trash. In fact I really like it. I just don't like that they can hide behind anon and say crazy stuff knowing that they will never have to face the music. Talk trash and then let's see if you can back it up on the court. It get's stupid when guys say you suck or so and so would kick his butt and they post anon. Talk trash to me... that's fine, but then let's step on the court so I can embarrass you or you can embarrass me for talking trash and post the results. that is what bothers me about it. Eddie
ReplyDeleteI will gladly agree to help moderate this site if it will help. I am sure we are all getting a little tired of NANCY NOEL and Fat boy sisk giving us their excuses. Let me know how I can assist.
ReplyDeleteSigned
ANONYMOUS
This is the kind of stuff I've been campaigning for all season. I agree with Jonathan, this blog is supposed to be about discussing league tennis and players' matchups. When somebody says the Garland team should get in a plane crash on the way to nationals, that kind of stuff shouldn't be tolerated but can't be stopped with the current system. Obviously John and I have taken more heat than everybody on this blog but I, like Keith, don't take it too seriously anymore because I too think it's the same three or four people regurgitating the same arguments over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI have no problems personally with David, Marc, Brian, or anybody else on this blog because I know very few of you in "real life."
I look forward to seeing if the other blog is any different.
Congrats to my former teammates and my good friends at Garland on winning Sectionals! Good Job well done!
ReplyDeleteMVP is Obviously Glenn-lol
Jermaine
Just an FYI for all you Garland haters..this will make your day! Glen Flora has been D'qued for Nationals. So, take a deep breath and take a good laugh..and exhale and then realize...Garland is still going to Nationals and with Zach Courtney, Jerry Defeo and Don Harvey, George Harvey and the rest of the "dirty garland" team. So, regardless all your bitching and crying has not stopped the Garland train from rolling thru your backyard and leaving a cloud of dust in your face all the way to Tuscon AZ. We will still be a contender at Nationals. BTW..this message is strictly for the anon posters who have nothing good to say about others on this blog!
ReplyDeletecorrection...George Hardwick.
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic news!!!!
ReplyDeletesure, it would be fun to play Rock. I will talk to my team, see if we can find a time.
ReplyDeleteStill would like to see the Flora Fuellile match especially since it definitely means nothing now.
NO EMOTION, JUST THE FACTS . . .
ReplyDeleteGlenn Flora played 6 matches at Sectionals against the best 3.5 players in Texas and NEVER HAD A COMPETITIVE MATCH. In fact he never lost more than 1 game in the first set of any match. (And he did slack off in 2nd set of several matches, greatly reducing the pace he put on the ball.)
Garland violated the standards of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmenship by recruting two High School superstars that previously played at approx a 4.5 level.
The guys pointing this out were not "whining". They had a valid complaint. When cheating is obvious, then players should speak up.
The two guys that consistently lied to cover up for the cheating were Corey Noel and Jacques Delira.
I'm glad Flora was DQed.
FYI..you keep saying Glen Flora is a 4.5 to help drive your point down our throats...But, I will bet money there are plenty of people on this blog that would strongly disagree with you. You are just another sore loser venting and crying about the system. The system does work and I will agree that Glen is out of level in 3.5 play but not out of leval in mid 4.0. I will always stand by my knowledge that Glen was a good 3.5 player at the first of the season. But, do to his abilities he surpassed everyone the last 3 months. But, Glen did not see the best singles players at Sectionals mainly because captains conceded the loss and thru out sacraficial lambs to be slaughtered by Glen. So, regardless the scores were not indicative of Glen playing the best players in 3.5...like Mudsam and Ragu and the big kid from waco. It was lopsided on the other end of the spectrum too! But, I love the fact you cry babies get a little satisfaction. It is like a nipple back in your mouth..Maybe it might shut you all up for a bit. Really! I doubt it!
ReplyDeleteWhy should Texas be represented with middle of the road 3.5 rated players? Instead of a team that has a chance against the best 3.5 4.0 teams in the nation. Really! C'mon now..I am confused?
ReplyDeleteThis is my first post and I am sure I will get lambasted for something in here. I have been reading this BLOG since I heard about it early this year at Tri-Level Sectionals. I have found it entertaining and informative. I have always wished for more 3.5 discussions, but under the heading of be careful what you wish for… I got it. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI should preface further remarks with the fact that I am from Fort Worth and was part of the “loser” 3.5 team here at Sectionals. Since you guys let Jason Kern post though, maybe it will be alright. I have been playing USTA league since 1997 and USTA tournaments since 2004. I should also state that I am currently part of the #1 men’s 3.5 tournament doubles team and am currently #6 YTD in men’s 3.5 tournament singles. (None of which helped when I lost to Carlos Campos 1 & 1. Ouch!) I have also been to west regional’s for mixed and sectional’s for mixed, combo, tri-level, senior men’s, and men’s. I state these facts to lend some level of credibility to my statements to follow. (i.e. I have been around a lot of 3.5 tennis and of a pretty high quality) And in the name of full disclosure, I did appeal my 4.0 rating at YE 2007. I will not be doing so in the fall and I am looking forward to the challenge/a**kicking ahead.
Since I lived close to Dallas, after my team was eliminated and since my wife’s women’s 3.5 team was still in the hunt (they lost in the semis to Wild NETX 13-15 in the deciding match breaker, the team is going to nationals), I decided to stay and watch the men’s 3.5 semifinals and finals.
I want to start by saying I thought most of the tennis I witnessed all weekend looked to be at the high end of 3.5, but was 3.5. There were some I would question or at least admit they looked out of level, but not many. In the finals specifically, I really only saw three people play that looked better then 3.5, to me. They were Glenn Flora, Brian Morrison and Andy Mahr. These guys all looked better than 3.5 to these eyes and I even heard a few comments from a league coordinator regarding their “3.5 shots”. Obviously, there might have been many other players out of range this weekend, but I saw the finals, which seemed to me a good benchmark. Also, I wanted to limit my comments to what I personally witnessed. Of these “out of level” players only Glenn and Andy are self-rated. So, hats off to Brian, great job on improving your skills while at 3.5.
On the subject of self-rated high schooler’s, not every high school player can even play at a 3.5 level. At my son’s high school, aside from he and one other player both of whom played at the Texas Champ level, there was no one an average 3.5 player couldn’t have beaten. His team won their district every year for about the last 12 years!!. Having said that, I don’t know anything about high school tennis in other states, but I do know in Texas to be competing in the 4A high school state championship I would expect the player to be of Super Champ quality and that is certainly not 3.5. If the #2 player at Highland Park on a team that was playing for the state title wasn’t a SC, I would be very surprised. Since I didn’t see him play, I won’t comment further.
I suspect we all wish there was a better solution to the self-rating system, but being rated by a pro had its draw backs as well. I am against DQ’s at Sectionals for anyone who carries a computer rating, including appeals, but would have no problem with a team suffering the consequences of a DQ on a self-rated player while at Sectionals. I think that might help keep a captain from pushing the limit on talent.
Those who have been around league tennis a while should know better. But, short of a system that punishes them, who can blame them for pushing the limit of the system? If they don’t push the limit someone else will and then they will be on here bashing someone else. Rightly or wrongly, that is the way it works.
I should add that while I don’t live in Dallas and may not understand the city’s league dynamics or history, I know many of the people either posting or being discussed. At least those who chose to include their names. Most of these folks I don’t know too well since I met them competing in tournaments, but I consider them friendly rivals. Some of them are Roger Leclair (my doubles partner), David Prather, Eddie Hill, Jonathan Marcus, Jacques Delira, Enrique Molina, and others. I should add that I don’t know any of the players I identified as out of range nor their team captains.
I will close by saying sorry for the long post, but I really wanted to try and correct some of what sounded like exaggerated statements to an out of towner. I had a great time at Sectionals and saw some great tennis! The team FW brought over had 11 or 17 people bumped to 4.0 mid-season; I guess next year we will know we need at least 12!
Good luck to the Texas representatives at all levels. Signed, James Kinson.
Dave,
ReplyDeleteI think maybe we should leave this in the same category as politics and religion. Do not discuss with friends...Ha Ha Ha...talk to you soon! I am a blog aholic!
James..you are an outstanding person and a true gentleman! Your comments are honest and true and delivered with class. I cannot agree with you more...I wish you guys were closer! The Aranda/ Kinson doubles machine is a team that needs to be at Nationals representing Texas...I think I can get my hands on some fake ID"S!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts James. I only saw the finals and I do know many of these guys and have played against them and I agree it looked like 3.5 tennis to me and that is a great thing. As much as I want to win I hope in the end our system works.
ReplyDeleteIt does go to show the USTA is open to change after some computer rated players were popped last year, now it will be interesting to see what happens for next year. I am happy to see they are trying. I have to 2nd your thoughts on Bmo, I played him a 1 1/2 half ago and I wouldn't have let him ride the bench on my 3.5 sectional team a year ago but he is now playing damn good tennis. He will be an asset to team Eddie, unless he wants to join a winner. Hint hint...
James - Well said Partner!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad James is the nice one, that let's me be me (ya ya ya, I know...I'm conceded, cocky, not nice, and generally an ass - nothing my wife doesn't tell me weekly :) ) - On that note - Sisk - We're coming after you! Bring on your best ringers! :)
James and I will be playing in the Dallas league this fall
To the anon that said you could be me (or us) 0 and 0 - Still havent heard from you chickenshit! It's not like I didn't tell you how to get ahold of me
Yes I am talking trash! :) (James is gonna shoot me for this one) :)
Jacques, David,
Do you guys want to get in a match with James and I before SA Sectionals?
Now then - if anyone actually takes this blog thing seriously - GET A LIFE!
Rog
Jacques, thanks for the kind words! Represent Texas well in AZ. Later, James.
ReplyDeleteRatcliffe,
ReplyDeleteIf we are cheaters,quit asking for my players! That's what gets me! Garland sucks,but if they can only keep 3 players GIVE THE REST TO ME!I'll respect my elders. You keep it quiet,me too! Leave Corey out of this!
Sisk
NANCY NOEL,
ReplyDeleteAnonymous posters are not are NOT problem. The problem is GARLAND CHEATING. Your complaints about the blog are just an effort to take focus away from Garland cheating and YOUR LYING about the abilities of both Flora and Courtney.
At Sectionals Flora had 6 matches against some of the top 3.5 players in Texas and did not have any competitive matches. That's a guy that is way, way out of level and he was rightly DQed. And your consistant lying to try to cover up for Garland says worlds about what kind of a person your are.
Anon #3
Rog,
ReplyDeleteI think Dave and I could be talked into some doubles..But, maybe we could play also with Defeo and I against you guys..just for more practice before SA Sect and Nats.
The question I have is how would Glen Flora have done against some of the 3.5 guys that have real good tournament records like Pedro Ruiz and Scott Alpard? Both Pedro and Scott have lost only one tournament match this year and are at the high end of 3.5 and will be competitive at 4.0 next year. If Flora would likely beat these guys 0-0 or 1-1, then he is clearly way out of level and deserves the DQ. By the way, I agree that those people who post anonymously should not be allowed access to this web site. If you are not man enough to sign your name, then you really have no business in commenting. What are you afraid of? Mike Getz
ReplyDeleteMike Getz,
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, I don't think you have seen Flora play. Many of us have. He could beat you 6-0, 6-0 without working up a sweat. He plays at a 4.5 level. In the last 5 years that I have watched Sectionals there has never been a guy as strong as him playing 3.5. His DQ was a no brainer.
The guys trying to defend him on this blog are just liars from Garland doing some "damage control".
In 2009, Flora will be one of the top 4.0 players in Dallas and he will get bumped to 4.5 at year-end. Then the liars from Garland will tell us how much the guy has magically improved.
omg, again with the 4.5 talk. puhleeese! Flora will go slightly better than 0.500 depending on how he is used at 4.0. If he plays line 1 singles and Garland is a in a strong flight he will struggle. He can't beat 3 or 4 players on team Eddie and couldn't beat Jean Nguyen on Somabut's team. That is just a few names I can think of oh yeah Jenkins, Walker, Powell, Pearson, Walters. Ok so there are many. Now I will say use the kid at line 2 and he may just be a lock there against most teams.
ReplyDeleteGood thing for him is he won't be bored beating up on old guys for another year.
To anonymous 1:37 p.m.
ReplyDeleteMy previous comment already told you how I feel about people that post without leaving their names. And my question was not how Glen Flora would do against me, it was how he would do against people that I KNOW have done well in tournament play this year by virtue of their tournament records, (NOT THEIR TOTAL POINTS ACCUMULATED - WE ALL KNOW THAT IF YOU PLAY IN ENOUGH TOURNAMENTS YOU CAN ACCUMULATE ENOUGH POINTS TO BE RANKED IN THE TOP 10, I AM A GOOD EXAMPLE). But you are right, I have not seen Glen Flora play. So what I was wanting to know, has anyone seen both Glen Flora play and people like Pedro Ruiz and Scott Alperd and if so, whether you have any thoughts on whether it would be a competitive match or whehter Flora would blow them away? Mike Getz
Mike, I have not seen him play those guys but I've seen him play others in practice. He has lost to Trey McKinney in practice a couple of times, and Trey lost a few matches this season in 4.0 team tennis. I would assume he's lost to other people in practice but I'm only out there sporadically.
ReplyDeleteGood luck trying to get people to post their names though. I've been trying all season with no results. I too don't have any respect for a nameless person's opinion.
ReplyDeleteMy "opinion" on Corey is that he sounds like a really good guy with a ton of tennis talent. He also sounds like he is a really smart person and has a tremendous ability to speak the truth at all times. Again just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnon.
To John Sisk, whats going on with your team??? I didnt know that I need your permission to inquire about your players or Free-agents. But dont think I am doing anything you wouldnt do to improve my team. I know during the past season you invited a couple of my teams players to your practices. Molina,Curren so dont say anything negitive about my actions. Maybe you consider it cheating I dont know. Anyway Good Luck to your team at Nationals.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Robert Martin and i do play 3.0 and have been bumped to 3.5 but did get my appeal. I think this blog is hilarious and keep it going. Now as far as all the sandbagging I had a Team last year go to the Finals and someone you should be familiar with is Bender from Collin County. If Dallas lets teams like that in I have lost respect for Dallas. Bender had 25 players 7 DQ and after winning Nationals at least 8 were bumped to 4.0, we are they now ??? Not playing because they cant beat up on 3.0's anymore. If 2 or 3 ringers are playing on each team just have your ringers play better and quit crying.I wish the Texas USTA would read this they would bump 3/4 up another level so they can see how bad it is. I would love to play 3.5 but I am not a 4.0 that appealed yet so have fun for those they didn't get their appeal. If some of these players talking all the smack would play in tournaments so they can actually play competition then we would all be equal.To all computer rated players good for you and all self-rated players play at your level(grow some balls. I had fun rambling on this page and believe James and Roger would have beaten any doubles team in Sectionals if given the oppurtunity.See all of the tournament players in the real league and all the rest SEE YA!!!
ReplyDelete7 DQs? No offense but that sounds like a bunch of crap. I have never seen more than 3 on one team and if they had 7 DQs and still won nationals or even got to nationals then that has to be the single greatest team ever put out in the history of USTA... regardless of level. Nobody could have ever outsandbagged that team.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have never seen 8 players kicked a full point. I know the USTA allegedly kicked a lot more players the full point last year but at least 8? That would mean their entire Nationals Squad was kicked to 4.0.
I do not know any of the players but I know that High Point had several players on that team.
Later, I am going to look at tennis link to see if that is even remotely true. I have been playing USTA league since it was known as Volvo. If anyone reads this that remember it as Volvo, let us know so we can tell who else is an old fart.
I remember and played in it when it was called Volvo.
ReplyDeleteI am David Prather, who is this old fart?
Robert Martin must be quite a charater. He is still crying about getting beat in 2007. I'm a 4.0 player and have no idea what happened in level 3.0 last year. And don't really care. But I'll bet this Martin guy is lying about amy Dallas team having 7 guys DQed and 8 guys double bumped.
ReplyDeleteI do not know the guys, but here is what I found on TennisLink:
ReplyDelete2007 Collin County Men's 3.0
Roster 18 (Martin said 25)
DQed ONE (Martin said 7)
Doubled Bumped 3 (Martin said "at least 8)
Looks like Robert Martin is telling some tall tales!
Still whining about losing more than a year ago . . .
I played on the "best 3.0 team in history."
ReplyDeletePretty much everything Mr. Martin said is GREATLY exagerrated. The person above laid it out. We had 1 DQ and three guys double bumped. Oddly, the three guys double bumped had no business being double bumped. We really did not have anyone who should have been double bumped. Joe Hevey, Ulrich Lorscheider and Berco Neiman were the double bumps. Anyone who knows those guys know that they are completely lost at 4.0 and have no business there.
He played on the Ft Worth team and we did play them in the finals. Oddly, they were far worse than any team we played in our flight. We were unsure if they were just really tired after the weekend or what. Our deep team (that also happened to have sectionals in our own city so all were available) kept our legs fresh while the teams that could only bring 8 or 10 may have begun to tire.
While I amy not be deemed an "old fart" I remember Volvo. Or does that mean, I am nbow officially an "old fart?"
Mike, since no one else has taken a shot at answering your question, I will. I have at least seen both Flora and Ruiz in a couple of matches each. I have yet to see Alpard however. In my opinion, while both Ruiz and Flora are young, athletic, and fast, Flora has MUCH more tennis skill. My expectation would be a one sided match that Flora wins easily. As Ismael has stated in an earlier post Ruiz has just started playing tennis, so give him a year or two and the answer may be different.
ReplyDeleteSee you at Sectionals in SA, James.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteHaving seen both Alpard and Ruiz, as well as Flora:
Flora would kick the crap out of either Alpard or Ruiz. Neither would come close to giving Flora a competitve match. Flora is far more polished with both greater power and better control than either of the other guys. And he has played at much higher levels in the past.
Only the Garland liars will tell you differently.
Greg, only if you actually remember Volvo while at the age to play in it.
ReplyDeleteDavid Prather
David,
ReplyDeleteI was of the age... just barely but I was of age. I guess you might say I am a young old fart.
There is a Rat in E. Ratcliffe.
ReplyDeleteDear last Anonymous poster. If you have something to say to me please be man enough to sign in and make your point!!! Otherwise shut up!!! Noboby cares what you think anyway whoever you are.
ReplyDeleteEd,
ReplyDeleteDon't let those guys bother you. It is just the Garland players throwing stones. They are upset with anyone who says anything about their cheating and lying.
If you're not cheating then you are not trying.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
GTC
To the BIG MAN w/ little man syndrome:
ReplyDeleteNot a Garland Associate. I captain my own team!!! Had thought about recruiting some of the Garland players and decided that would compromise my ethics & integrity!!!