City Play Offs Preview

QT is behind us and City Playoffs are upon us.  Here is a quick and dirty breakdown for everyone to discuss.

5.0+  This is a 3 team knockout format.  Since Dallas was last years runner-up at 5.0, and the team had to move up or split up, Dallas would be hard pressed to repeat as sectionals champs.  Regardless, these are some of our cities finest.

In the first match, we have The blogs own Marc Rossouw from the mean streets of Greenhill.  While Wagner will try to invade their turf traveling all the way from Frisco and the Lakes.  This rumble of heavy weights take place at 8:00 on Saturday.  The winner gets to deal Perkison's Village Boys at 12:00 Saturday.  That is a mighty quick turnaround.

Rossouw v Wagner
In the first match between these two Rossouw won a tight 2-1.  Anis Mezzour knocked off Bartzen.  That is a very good win.  Bartzen wins the first set 6-1 and then drops the second one 1-6.  Bartzen is tough and there is no doubt but so is Mezzour. 

Honestly, I have no idea who wins as I think it will come down to that match again.  They split doubles and have to win singles.  Just for fun, I will pick Rossouw.

Perkison vs Rossouw

In round 1, Perkison won a 2-1 with Mezzour handling Walker.  I think there is a good chance it won't be Walker this time around.  I think Collins will get the nod.  I will take him in a close match but his legs should be fresher.  In the end, I will take Perkison in a 2-1.

Best of Luck and should be some good tennis.

4.5  This is a 4 team round robin.  We have QT winner Lakes/Way versus GH/Rossouw's 5.0 in training squad.  Village/Warren brings their guys too.  The favorite is JCC/Reiman.  JCC has a few that are not eligible to play and if they don't win, I think that will be the difference.

Teams
JCC has a Rossouw or Pickettesque sized roster with a lot of very good players.  Although Kiron & Kern played for Pickett in Fort Worth.  Cambron is not eligible.Guillod is 5.0.  There are others too.  It doesn't mean he is toothless but those are some good players that would make a difference.

Greenhill has a ton of players that are good.  Most of these guys have been to sectionals (or farther) a dozen times.  IF Marc manages his roster well and gets his best out; he has a legitimate shot.

Lakes/Way won the QT.  As someone mentioned, they need to get more singles production to hang with the rest.  Welwood and Vu could be the reason the win.

Village/Warren has a number of players that almost get to sectionals every year.  I suspect this will be the same.  I am not saying they aren't dangerous as they are.  They are very capable but all of these teams are really good.

4.0  For some reason this is the level most care about.  I suppose since it is the biggest level that makes sense.  It is broken into 2 flights with 2 QT winners.  I just realized QT didn't play a championship until after it was over.  First time I have seen that.  One strange thing I noticed is the QT winner Canyon Creek had to play reams in their own flight in QT and again now in City Playoffs.  On the other hand, Oak Creek is in the other flight and otherwise, they would be in the same flight as their flight champion.  Since not all flights are created equal, in flighted playoffs, most organizers try to split that up.  Oh well, it looks like they take the math and went with that.

Flight Red:
Village/Gordon is a team that won its flight and had one loss.  I can't take much stock in that loss as they had the flight wrapped and emptied the bench in the last match.

Fretz/Clark won a flight but had a ton of 3-2 wins.  Still, most thought that was the toughest flight so that has to mean something.

Canyon/Creek came in second in this flight with only a loss to Fretz/Clark.  They went through QT and should be a little more battle tested.

Tough flight to call but I am taking the unpopular pick of the Village.  So many times I have seen the team that quietly takes care of business and nobodyt discusses come through.  Who am I kidding I like the chicks at the Village pool.  They deserve my support for that. 

Flight Blue: 
High Point Somabut is the heavy favorite in this flight.  They went through their flight undefeated and not really tested too hard. 

Brookhaven/Bartlett lost twice in a not so tough flight.  They definitely have some solid players but they have to be ready to play.

Oak Creek/Rich was the other QT flight winner.  While they are probably better than they get credit, they are a step below.  Still, don't be surprised if they catch Brookhaven. 

HP v Village goes to High Point.  Somabut has won countless championships at 4.0 and I am sure he will add another towel or jug to his already overcrowded city championship closet.

Good Luck to all and may nobody get hurt