I wanted to wish the blog a Happy Birthday! One year ago today I got really bored at work and was reading about Houston tennis as I was closet drinking to forget about Houston derailing our Las Vegas plans in 2007 and thought I could take my mind off that my creating this blog.
I truly thought it would be me and Marc trashing each other forever but it has really caught hold here in our tennis circle. I hope it can continue to grow with the help of great contributors like Marc, Racer X and New AR Hacker and of course Corey Nancy Noel for his tirelessly posting efforts in every single thread I post.
I hope I can keep you entertained but of course I know I will never make all of you happy, (whiny bi**hes, I am talking to you).
I think the Fall season will bring some great competition and lead into a very hotly contested Spring season in 2009.
And I have to thank Dirty Garland as well for providing all types of drama for us to get riled up about. Don't ever change Sisk and Snotjock, we hate you just the way you are.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!! I am off to play tennis and then hit the pool with a frosty cerveza.
I will put up some week one stuff late Monday or on Tuesday.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
4.0 Fall Preview
I may have to rewrite this if some rosters change this week but I will go off what I see so far. I hope the Lifetimers are happy with my thoughts and now you can post about how your close losses show how fabulous you are. Post to your hearts content LTF.
Flight A
Well Springpark still has their doubles teams intact minus Rasor who did come up very big at sectionals. The loss of Davis and Mcgowan is more than huge, although Mitch didn't live up to ringer status at Sectionals he was still a force in the regular season and DCC. I think they are used to winning and will be the team to beat and I will be curious to see who lands on that roster, your move Walters.... After that we have the Garland "C" team who was added once their 3.5 team was forced to move up/split up and the Canyon Creek "B" team, I have to think both these teams will have a rough go here. The LBH team has a few good players but don't see enough depth to make noise, JCC and Fretz have solid players but yet again depth will be an issue for both of them unless they have some roster bolstering soon. That leaves Brookhaven and the Village. BH made the playoffs although they underwhelmed upon arrival and not sure they will make it out of this group. The Village made a huge grab in Kyle Rhodes but I am not sure he can carry a team that has hovered at 0.500 lately, although Kyle can turn a 2-3 loss around. I believe there is another team in there but I don't know much about their roster so I won't guess.
Pick to win: ????
Runner up: Springpark
Surprise team: Village
Flight B:
Much like Springpark, High Point/Somabut is used to winning but lost lots of players and really the only "A" team members left are Voss, Nguyen and Smith and the legendary forehand of Carlquist. There are some other good players on their roster but I would not be surprised to see some additions to make them stronger very soon. LBH/Hicks played well in the Spring but much like Brookhaven underwhelmed big time in the QT so it all depends on which version of these players show up to play, I am surprised Kyle Rhodes didn't opt to play with this group, I think he would have made them a favorite in this flight. I think this 2nd Village team will struggle but other than that I think the rest of these teams could make noise and cause problems for HP and LBH. The 2nd Lifetime has some solid players, Stonebriar has talent, althought Moomjian might be gone by season start. I heard Sisk's team is being called the "B" team but looking at that roster, hmmm, don't think so.
Pick to win: LBH/Hicks
Runner up: High Point
Surprise team: Garland
Flight C
Oh boy do I really have to talk about them. Ok I guess along with Brookhaven, Lifetime/Eddie is the favorite here. I like Burt's group but I am still shocked they couldn't get 1 line v. Springpark to get to the QT in the Spring but alas that is the past. I am sure they are hungry again. After that Garland will be OK although I am struggling to see line 1 singles in that roster or depth at doubles past Odulio/Gervelis. Singh will need to step up and looks like he will have plenty of playing time if he wants it. Eagles Landing looks solid but they will need to get out those top guys each week to be in the mix.
Pick to win: Lifetime
Runner up: Brookhaven
Surprise team: Hackberry
Flight D
Good ole Flight D. I know I should jump back to the Lakes and Greenhill who seem like they should keep up their winning ways but I don't have good feelings about their rosters. Stonebridge and TBar also seem like question marks to me due to some losses and lack of strong singles play. Eldorado and OC also have good teams but lack that certain something to get to the top so guess who that leaves. Brookhaven Bartlett crashed hard in the Spring but I know Brad likes to win and I can't see this team having two bad seasons in a row.
Pick to win: BH/Bartlett
Runner up: Lakes
Surprise team: Not sure I see one so I will nominate High Point, these guys are looking good at practice lately. So what the heck.
Flight A
Well Springpark still has their doubles teams intact minus Rasor who did come up very big at sectionals. The loss of Davis and Mcgowan is more than huge, although Mitch didn't live up to ringer status at Sectionals he was still a force in the regular season and DCC. I think they are used to winning and will be the team to beat and I will be curious to see who lands on that roster, your move Walters.... After that we have the Garland "C" team who was added once their 3.5 team was forced to move up/split up and the Canyon Creek "B" team, I have to think both these teams will have a rough go here. The LBH team has a few good players but don't see enough depth to make noise, JCC and Fretz have solid players but yet again depth will be an issue for both of them unless they have some roster bolstering soon. That leaves Brookhaven and the Village. BH made the playoffs although they underwhelmed upon arrival and not sure they will make it out of this group. The Village made a huge grab in Kyle Rhodes but I am not sure he can carry a team that has hovered at 0.500 lately, although Kyle can turn a 2-3 loss around. I believe there is another team in there but I don't know much about their roster so I won't guess.
Pick to win: ????
Runner up: Springpark
Surprise team: Village
Flight B:
Much like Springpark, High Point/Somabut is used to winning but lost lots of players and really the only "A" team members left are Voss, Nguyen and Smith and the legendary forehand of Carlquist. There are some other good players on their roster but I would not be surprised to see some additions to make them stronger very soon. LBH/Hicks played well in the Spring but much like Brookhaven underwhelmed big time in the QT so it all depends on which version of these players show up to play, I am surprised Kyle Rhodes didn't opt to play with this group, I think he would have made them a favorite in this flight. I think this 2nd Village team will struggle but other than that I think the rest of these teams could make noise and cause problems for HP and LBH. The 2nd Lifetime has some solid players, Stonebriar has talent, althought Moomjian might be gone by season start. I heard Sisk's team is being called the "B" team but looking at that roster, hmmm, don't think so.
Pick to win: LBH/Hicks
Runner up: High Point
Surprise team: Garland
Flight C
Oh boy do I really have to talk about them. Ok I guess along with Brookhaven, Lifetime/Eddie is the favorite here. I like Burt's group but I am still shocked they couldn't get 1 line v. Springpark to get to the QT in the Spring but alas that is the past. I am sure they are hungry again. After that Garland will be OK although I am struggling to see line 1 singles in that roster or depth at doubles past Odulio/Gervelis. Singh will need to step up and looks like he will have plenty of playing time if he wants it. Eagles Landing looks solid but they will need to get out those top guys each week to be in the mix.
Pick to win: Lifetime
Runner up: Brookhaven
Surprise team: Hackberry
Flight D
Good ole Flight D. I know I should jump back to the Lakes and Greenhill who seem like they should keep up their winning ways but I don't have good feelings about their rosters. Stonebridge and TBar also seem like question marks to me due to some losses and lack of strong singles play. Eldorado and OC also have good teams but lack that certain something to get to the top so guess who that leaves. Brookhaven Bartlett crashed hard in the Spring but I know Brad likes to win and I can't see this team having two bad seasons in a row.
Pick to win: BH/Bartlett
Runner up: Lakes
Surprise team: Not sure I see one so I will nominate High Point, these guys are looking good at practice lately. So what the heck.
Mixed DCC
So in 9.0 the favorite team from Greenhill beat the Village to take the sectional spot. Two close matches and one blowout by Pham/Gonzalez at line 2.
In 8.0 High Point/Lazarine in convincing fashion swept all three of their matches. They didn't even a drop a set. I would think this team will be a favorite at sectionals.
In 7.0 a pretty big upset occured as High Point was beaten by Greenhill. It came down to a 3rd set tiebreaker and Greenhill won, the other two matches were somewhat lopsided. A very curious result, after looking at again I still don't get what happened. But congrats to Greenhill on your victory.
Mixed Doubles sectionals is in Corpus Christi, October 3-5.
In 8.0 High Point/Lazarine in convincing fashion swept all three of their matches. They didn't even a drop a set. I would think this team will be a favorite at sectionals.
In 7.0 a pretty big upset occured as High Point was beaten by Greenhill. It came down to a 3rd set tiebreaker and Greenhill won, the other two matches were somewhat lopsided. A very curious result, after looking at again I still don't get what happened. But congrats to Greenhill on your victory.
Mixed Doubles sectionals is in Corpus Christi, October 3-5.
4.5 Fall Preview
Well 4.5 to me looks more wide open than in the past. Mainly because some teams have decided to branch out and create more teams. There are many teams with as few as 10 rostered players, that could change but it seems like teams are shooting for more playing time which I think is always a good idea. There are some exceptions like the 18 man team at High Point and the 17 man roster out of Hackberry.
I really think this will tighten up most of these races and who knows maybe Branch will take a break from winning the fall or someone might just beat them.
Flight A:
Team Loose and Branch decided to split up and I would not be surprised if they both finish at the top and it will be curious to see their results when they play one another to see if they will have a chance to help one another move on to the playoffs. The two other contenders would be Northwood and Brookhaven to stop the OC party at the top.
Pick to win: OC/Branch
Runner up: Northwood
No surprises but it should be a photo finish between Brookhaven and HP/Loose for 3rd place. Not sure if three will advance but that might be the format.
Flight B:
I guess since TBar retained a lot of players they have to be a favorite but not sure any new names look impressive, heck this whole flight isn't that impressive. No offense but Flight A looks a little stronger. Still someone will come out of this flight and will be used to winning some matches and could be a factor in late November. I guess I have to look to High Point to make some noise not because they got a bunch of bump ups but because they have a lot of guys from their Spring team that did well. I would love to see Royal Oaks keep going strong but without the big three it seems unlikely.
Pick to win: High Point/Pham
Runner up: TBar
Surprise team: Springpark if they get Gene on the team, if not hmm I guess OC Feldman will finish in a close 3rd.
I could be way off but on these but I am going stick with these picks, I will be interested to see if any new names pop up over the next couple of weeks on some of the regular contenders.
I really think this will tighten up most of these races and who knows maybe Branch will take a break from winning the fall or someone might just beat them.
Flight A:
Team Loose and Branch decided to split up and I would not be surprised if they both finish at the top and it will be curious to see their results when they play one another to see if they will have a chance to help one another move on to the playoffs. The two other contenders would be Northwood and Brookhaven to stop the OC party at the top.
Pick to win: OC/Branch
Runner up: Northwood
No surprises but it should be a photo finish between Brookhaven and HP/Loose for 3rd place. Not sure if three will advance but that might be the format.
Flight B:
I guess since TBar retained a lot of players they have to be a favorite but not sure any new names look impressive, heck this whole flight isn't that impressive. No offense but Flight A looks a little stronger. Still someone will come out of this flight and will be used to winning some matches and could be a factor in late November. I guess I have to look to High Point to make some noise not because they got a bunch of bump ups but because they have a lot of guys from their Spring team that did well. I would love to see Royal Oaks keep going strong but without the big three it seems unlikely.
Pick to win: High Point/Pham
Runner up: TBar
Surprise team: Springpark if they get Gene on the team, if not hmm I guess OC Feldman will finish in a close 3rd.
I could be way off but on these but I am going stick with these picks, I will be interested to see if any new names pop up over the next couple of weeks on some of the regular contenders.
Friday, August 22, 2008
3.5 Fall Preview
So I know you 3.5ers are tired of picking on Ed and David and remembering the good old days when we could all just hate Durdy Garland but alas those days are over. Onto the future.
Flight A:
This is stacking up to be a good flight and I hope some of the better teams play each other early so we can see how this one will shake out. There are definitely some solid players in this flight and some mystery teams like Fretz and the Village who could muck it up and hopefully they do. I will be curious to see how Brookhaven will do without Evan who won some good matches for them in the Spring. I see them in contention like last time but not quite making it.
Pick to win: High Point
Runner up: Canyon Creek
Surprise team: Lifetime/Kaiser
Flight B:
I know many disagree when I announce a flight to be tough but this has got to be the best flight from top to bottom. Greenhill, High Point, Oak Creek, Stonebridge and Westlake. None of these teams were big time depleted from the Spring but OC probably lost the most. Picking this group is tough and I am not saying the Shores will finish at the top but they will not be an easy out at all.
Pick to win: Stonebridge
Runner up: High Point
Surprise team: Shores
Flight C:
This flight is a little light on talent compared to the other flights but there are still some good players mixed throughout the teams. I just don't see anyone beating Oakridge and Gleneagles other than each other but LB Houston could get in there just on pure experience. Canyon Creek has McHugh which should be good for one win but not sure where they can find two more wins against the top three teams.
Pick to win: Oakridge
Runner up: Gleneagles
Surprise team: ummm. I don't see one here so but as I said I think LBH will hang tough with these two teams.
Flight A:
This is stacking up to be a good flight and I hope some of the better teams play each other early so we can see how this one will shake out. There are definitely some solid players in this flight and some mystery teams like Fretz and the Village who could muck it up and hopefully they do. I will be curious to see how Brookhaven will do without Evan who won some good matches for them in the Spring. I see them in contention like last time but not quite making it.
Pick to win: High Point
Runner up: Canyon Creek
Surprise team: Lifetime/Kaiser
Flight B:
I know many disagree when I announce a flight to be tough but this has got to be the best flight from top to bottom. Greenhill, High Point, Oak Creek, Stonebridge and Westlake. None of these teams were big time depleted from the Spring but OC probably lost the most. Picking this group is tough and I am not saying the Shores will finish at the top but they will not be an easy out at all.
Pick to win: Stonebridge
Runner up: High Point
Surprise team: Shores
Flight C:
This flight is a little light on talent compared to the other flights but there are still some good players mixed throughout the teams. I just don't see anyone beating Oakridge and Gleneagles other than each other but LB Houston could get in there just on pure experience. Canyon Creek has McHugh which should be good for one win but not sure where they can find two more wins against the top three teams.
Pick to win: Oakridge
Runner up: Gleneagles
Surprise team: ummm. I don't see one here so but as I said I think LBH will hang tough with these two teams.
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