Friday, April 18, 2008

Results from Week One

There are not many results in yet, but I can give a brief report on what I know.

The marquee matchup last night was between Ssshhhwings and the Mob Squad. As expected, Mob Squad was strong in the singles and Shwing in doubles. Ted Phoummarath and Steve Phan both seemed to do much of the running, but each came out on top after surrenduring just five games. The lower doubles lines went Shwing's way, as Mob Squad had a 4.0 player in each spot. Kim/Lindloff and Benoit/Judson were both impressive in their victories. As he always seems to be, Red Benzon was in the middle of the decisive match, and he and Minh Phan squeaked out a 7-6, 7-5 win over Peter Rothe and David Hall. Rothe and Hall played well...I had heard that they were having a bad year, but Peter looked fitter than I've seen him and David was on top of his game.

In other 4.5 matches, the Yutts pulled out a 3-2 win over Sugar Creek. Notably absent from the Sugar Creek lineup were Jason Cooney and John Burrmann. The Yutts capitalized and took line one singles and line one doubles. The 4.5 Hurricanes had little trouble with a Lakeside Estates team comprised mainly of 4.0 players, winning 4-1. Richard Patton and Phong Regent won with a double bagel, and Michael Chec/Charlie Smith gave up just one game.

In 5.0, Allen Teague's Old School team lost 2-1 to Craig Bobo's squad. Alex Beaux took down Tor Krosby in singles. Jody Deluca looked like his wrist has recovered from surgery as he and Laurence Sambito won for Old School.

The two heavyweights in 4.0 cruised to easy victories. Chancellor's dispatched of Pecan Grove with ease and the Hurricanes cruised past the Acers 5-0. The Sienna Plantation Top Spinners beat the Rolido Boys 4-1 and look like they could be a factor in 4.0 division III

79 comments:

  1. Does anyone know any of the 4.5 results from division II?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jedi Knights beat Rice last night 3-2. Strong doubles lines with weak singles.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 4.5 div II, Rice singles, Magid and Bui, took both lines easily. Knights had some struggles in doubles, but pulled it off.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Black Sheep won in divII 4-1 against the Ball Busters at LLC. Only loss was at 1 singles (not sure who). Other 4 lines won easily.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What was the results from the Kingwood vs Westside matchup?

    ReplyDelete
  6. the MET 5.0 team won too yesterday night. I think they swept but I'm not sure...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Met 5.0 swept Lost Forest 3-0. The scores are posted. Interesting to see Arun played a 4.0 player in singles.

    All of the scores for 5.0 & 4.5, except for the Kingwood/Westside, matches have been recorded.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kingwood is trying to determine how to post a clean sweep so no one gets "red flagged" after the first match.

    ReplyDelete
  9. If that is the case, then some of Freeman's 4.5 players should have "red flags" with the scores they put up.

    ReplyDelete
  10. With the exception of 2 guys (singles), Freemans team played a 4.0 team at best. Check their ratings.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anyone who has played summer league knows that a roster 90% full of 4.0 rated players is likely not going to be competitive in 4.5 summer league.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Freeman's team will meet their match with Kingwood

    ReplyDelete
  13. Probably so. Kingwood is stacked with players that are solid. However, i doubt they will win many more appeals when some of their players get bumped up AGAIN considering last years trip to the Sectionals final, and i am sure they be at Sectionals this year too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kingwood beat Westside 4-1. All 3 doubles matches went to 3rd set tiebreakers. Omon Dibua won a fairly close 2 setter while Gary Armstrong won easily. Westside was 2 points from winning the 2 third set tiebreakers they lost.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kingwood brought their B team. Any time Hai Vu and Phy Huynh are playing one doubles you know it's not a strong lineup.

    ReplyDelete
  16. YES!!! We are in 1st place....for at least one week :)

    As my hero and personal trainer George Costanza would say "I'm out!"

    ReplyDelete
  17. Don't worry Freeman. I have faith you can screw it up this year just like you did last year (twice).

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jason Freeman think he can dominate 4.5 just like he did 3.5 and 4.0. Jimmy and Red are a lot smarter than those 4.0 captains.

    ReplyDelete
  19. If I get a chance to screw something else up, I'm sure I'll take full advantage of it....but no matter how bad I screw up it probably won't be as bad as adding Veilluex's doubles partner last year.

    Good luck against Burke today!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have no grand delusions of dominating anything,
    I just hope both my teams are competitive and my guys have fun.

    There are many folks smarter than me at all levels, not just Red and Jimmy.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I honestly think Freeman's team can give Kingwood a run for their money.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I concur that there are MANY captains smarter than Freeman but few who are as persistent and up front about their goals. He tells you what your trying to do and how your going to do it and then follows through. The Exxon stock is nice also. Other than that he sucks. I don't think Freeman would be in it if he didn't think he could give the best teams a run for their money.
    Oh and I'll take all the luck I can get.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The Thursday summer teams should consider a NOHO 4.5 team for Saturday play.

    ReplyDelete
  24. It looks like that would be an easier way to qualify for sectionals than to go thru the rigorous Houston league

    ReplyDelete
  25. It might not be too much easier since Benzon and Kilshaw already have teams up there.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Knutson's team might be pretty good too.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Funny to see Red play with Dwyer's team considering all the shit those guys have said about each other

    ReplyDelete
  28. Does anyone really trust Red?

    ReplyDelete
  29. If you do trust him, then you must have just met him. Give it a few weeks and then you won't.

    ReplyDelete
  30. You guys leave that fat filipino boy alone or he will run tell his mother

    ReplyDelete
  31. Kingwood will be in first place after this week's match. Freeman's team cannot hang with the big boys.

    ReplyDelete
  32. If the Met team is not a big boy team then who is, other than Kingwood?

    ReplyDelete
  33. There are lots of very solid teams in the 4.5 league, however, Kingwood is expected to do well because of their results last year, with most of the same team returning. Not sure if there is anyone that can pull 3 lines from them, but lets wait and see after the July playoffs.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Freemans team will beat Kingwood without a doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's early in the season, remember captains are still looking for "new" talent to add to their rosters. Teams can add players to their roster up until the final two matches to get a player qualified for the playoffs. With seasoned captains/players like Freeman, Kilshaw, Benzon, Dwyer etc., there are bound to be some unknowns appear over the next few weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Freeman's team is competetive. They'll have to slug it out just like anyone else though...

    ReplyDelete
  37. Unless of course you're talking indirectly about Freeman's 4.0 Team. THAT I'm sure is pretty loaded.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Big Boys? Are we talking about fat teams or fat memebers?

    ReplyDelete
  39. keep an eye on the westside blacksheep team. Tommy Ristau has quietly assembled a damn good squad. division II in 4.5 will be interesting

    ReplyDelete
  40. Who on that BlackSheep team is playoff/sectionals caliber player?

    ReplyDelete
  41. didn't they just miss going to sectionals last year? they have added a couple new players since then. we'll just have to see how they pan out.

    ReplyDelete
  42. 4.5 division II is the most competitive division by far with 4 good teams and 3 playoff calibre teams in Jedi Knights, Black Sheep and Copperfield.

    Jedi Knights go up to Copperfield Thursday night, should be a good match.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I agree. Whoever finishes on top in div II has a good shot in the playoffs. Rice lost their first match but they seem to have a couple really good singles players. If they don't get swept in doubles they could probably beat most teams on a given night. Still think Copperfield and Westside are the favorites in div II though.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Div 2 may be balanced, but none of those teams is even in the same league as the Met or Kingwood.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Funny how you can say that without knowing anything about the new players on everyones teams. We might want to wait till a at least week 3 before crowning a champion don't you think?

    ReplyDelete
  46. What is the proposed matchups between freeman's Hurricanes vs. Kilshaw's Crush? Singles seems close with Sarosh and Hunckler vs. Dibua and Phi or this new JuanLopez or Daniel Hanley. Doubles edge has to go to Crush though.

    Anyone have any predictions??

    ReplyDelete
  47. The MET and Kingwood have to play each other 3 times, so lets wait and see how they fare each time. And dont forget that the Westside team is there, they had some close matches with Kingwood, despite Kingwood supposedly putting their "B" team out there according to a previous poster. The whole Kingwood team deserves some credit, the majority of them played their asses off last year to get to Sectionals, and almost made it to Nationals.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Black Sheep came within one set of pulling an upset of Crush last year.I'm sure that they have another Lukas Jendek stud on there roster again this year.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Does anyone know how many teams actually get into the playoffs?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hunkler vs Dibua or Sarosh vs Dibua, either one would be an interesting match to watch and could go either way.

    Gary would be a tough guy to beat as well and both Hunkler and Sarosh would have to play their "A" game to beat both Dibua and Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would think Armstrong would more likely play doubles with Hurlbert to solidy a win there. People have put Ahmed down for his fitness, but i have also heard he hangs with Arun Nanjappa in matches and that is no easy task. Ahmed would wear Armstrong down.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I don't think the number of playoff teams is determined until closer to July. Based on the past couple of years I would think at least 4 teams would make it and maybe even 6 as last year. However, I think the HTA had court issues last year which might help make their decision to go with 4 as opposed to 6.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Kingwood outclasses the Met in singles and doubles but matches should be very competitive. The Met is the only team deep enough to challenge Kingwood right now.

    How is Schornick playing? If he is in 2006 tournament form then the Met just got stronger in singles and doubles.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I agree with the last poster, most of the matches should be very competitive. But i dont agree with Kingwood outclassing the MET team overall. KW has some really great players, but the MET team is not a slouch and could definitely take some of the lines if the line ups fall right.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Sarosh hasn't even played a 4.5 league match and now you think he can compete with Dibua. Arun is a great player and his record shows it. what makes you think sarosh can hang with him.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Based on watching Sarosh play it is clear he can hang with most 4.5 league players. I think Sarosh is the biggest X factor for the Met team. It will be intreating to see "if" he can hang with the elite 4.5 players. The good news is we will find out this Summer just where he stands.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I've seen Sarosh play one of the top guys on my team. I think he will be competitive with the top players.

    ReplyDelete
  58. That's only if he cheats.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Looking at the league results from last year, seems like Sarosh didn't even drop a single set all the way from city wide to Sectionals to Nationals in Arizona.

    That definitely speaks about his performance and fitness to play 4-5 matches back to back.
    Especially under the Dallas heat(100+ deg)during sectionals.

    I think this guy would cause some big time damage this year at 4.5's as well.
    Wonder why Freeman hasn't played him yet? Maybe this week...

    ReplyDelete
  60. Who are the top 2 players for Kingwood and MET? Like the trump cards?

    ReplyDelete
  61. We will see May 1 Kingwood vs Met.

    ReplyDelete
  62. They play each other 3 times, i am sure the first match is not going to be the tell all of line ups and who is the "top dog"

    ReplyDelete
  63. Greg, are you playing out of LLTC because you wanted your toughest team to be Swinggggg?

    ReplyDelete
  64. who are the best two players for the Met and Kingwood?

    Met: Yang and Hunckler
    Kingwoood: Dibua and Armstrong

    ReplyDelete
  65. Met: 4.5 Doubles Coke Winner
    Kingwoood: Hulbert and Armstrong

    ReplyDelete
  66. I think the Mob Squad was forced to play out of LLTC (or Homer Ford) because the HTA was not allowing any more teams out of MPTC because of a lack of court space there. They wanted to play out of MPTC.

    ReplyDelete
  67. The Mon Squad clearly has the top 1-2 punch in 4.5 singles with Steve and Ted. Also, Red and anyone is a top doubles line. They will win a lot of matches 3-2.

    ReplyDelete
  68. They should do well, if the captain can keep the egos under control. I doubt Steve Pham will play every match. I'm sure Red will recruit additional ringers for the team.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Mem Park forced teams to use other facilities as their home base because the Houstonian has moved in to Memorial with a certain number of courts at their disposal at all times.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Looks like everyone on the mob squad weighs as much as red. Please keep an eye out on your pets.

    ReplyDelete
  71. One thing for sure is Crush and Hurricanes will battle it out.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Mob Squad fat jokes again? Can we act mature? The reason why they are playing out of LLTC is because its near the buffets.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I would not underestimate the team of "fat boys"

    ReplyDelete
  74. tomorrow's 4.5 winner predictions:

    div I.- Kingwood 5-0 WSTC 3-2

    div II.- Rice 3-2 Copperfield 3-2

    div III.- Yutts 5-0 MobSquad 4-1

    ReplyDelete
  75. div I.- Kingwood 5-0 MET 3-2
    div II.- Rice 3-2 Copperfield 3-2
    div III.- Yutts 5-0 MobSquad 3-2

    ReplyDelete
  76. West Side has no chance to beat the Met.

    ReplyDelete
  77. for the close line up tomorrow:

    div 1- Met wins both singles and 1 double
    div 2- Rice wins both singles and 1 double
    div 2- MPTC loses both singles, but win all 3 doubles.

    ReplyDelete
  78. div I.- Kingwood 5-0 MET 3-2
    div II.- WS 3-2 Copperfield 3-2
    div III.- Yutts 5-0 MobSquad 3-2

    ReplyDelete
  79. Kingwood will not win 5-0 but they will win handily with their scrubs.

    ReplyDelete