Friday, July 25, 2008

Sectionals Picks (I use the term loosely)

Sectionals are less than a week away. Here are some quick predictions (believe me, not much thought has gone into them, so don't put any money down in Vegas...)
In 4.0 Division I (Dallas, Wild Valley, Waco, Houston, Abilene) I've got to pick my team to emerge. The big match figures to be the Saturday afternoon battle between Wild Dallas and Houston.

In 4.0 DII (Austin, Setx, Amarillo, Midland, Wild Houston) I'm picking the Austin team to emerge. I think the feature match will be Wild Houston v. Austin. Colin McKinsey has publicly proclaimed that he will not be attending Sectionals for Austin, but I doubt he was being honest.

In 4.0 DIII (Wild Austin, San Antonio, Corpus, Netx, Lubbock) I really know absolutely nothing about any of these teams. I'm sure Freeman could tell me about the line 3 doubles on each of the teams, but...I'll pick San Antonio just based on city size.

In 4.0 DIV (FtWorth, San Angelo, Wild Dallas, Valley, Noho) The Wild Dallas team "took it easy" in the city finals. They're the prohibitive favorite in this division. Perhaps Fort Worth can give them a battle. I'll be pulling for Noho, but they'll have their work cut out for 'em.

In 4.5 Division I (Corpus, Wild Dallas, Waco, Houston) I have reservations about Kingwood's singles, but I still think they're the strongest team in this bracket. Remember one thing: The computer will NOT be run during Sectionals (assuming I was properly informed), so players like Henry Gonzales are "safe". As previously mentioned, I'm not a big fan of this, though I guess they didn't want to get into a situation like last year where a match could have been reversed and players had to wait around to make sure they'd actually advanced. Bobo and Whitsett lost what they thought might be a meaningless third set breaker in a match that became 3-2 after a DQ. This year we may see captains pull their players off the court after securing three wins.

In 4.5 DII (San Antonio, Valley, Austin, Noho) I think we will see fireworks, if everyone is giving 100 percent. I do think it's ridiculous that the Valley team is here. They are super-talented and could easily win this bracket, but playing league matches of just one set is just not right. First of all, it screws up the DNTRP calculations, but it's hard to believe that it's a real "league" when there are just 3 teams and matches are just one set in length. I'll pick San Antonio here...I just have a feeling that they can win this thing if they want to. But they could just as easily finish fourth. Toss a coin on most of these matchups.

In 4.5 DIII (Fort Worth, Dallas, Wild Austin, Abilene) I know there's been a lot of talk about Abilene's young guns and even about Fort Worth's Henock Terefe (I've never seen him play, but don't know what all the fuss is about based on his results), but I've just got to go with Dallas here. Those guys have been through the wars and their team is much stronger than last year's shell of a team.

Feel free to post your opinions or even talk some smack.

94 comments:

  1. good predictions in the 4.5.
    I think Houston is the favorite Group 1, although with some luck WC Dallas could pull an upset with a singles sweep and steal a doubles.
    Group 2 is such a toss-up. Austin will be weaker with lack of singles players. SA have no clue how good they are. Valley is WC team, they could do really well if Ingram is allowed to play or finish last if Ingram is ineligble. Then you have NOHO who looks great on paper, but can they beat SA and Austin?

    Group 3: Branch seems too tough but FTW is very close and deceivingly good. I am thinking Dallas with FTW maybe getting the WC 2nd Place spot.

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  2. I'll go with Wild Dallas,NoHo, Dallas and San Antonio as the fourth place team in the 4.5's. The singles guys for both Dallas teams are too tough.

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  3. I am not sure how everyone is coming up with this idea about Henry Gonzales being a huge ringer. I have known Henry for over ten years and, Yes he is a good player and probably one of the nicest guy on and off the court. I have seen guys who are better than he is. He is good and can win a lot of matches, but I have seen him lose matches that he should of won. Hell we lost in the semi-finals of the Tyler tournament in doubles. If he was so good, we should of won the tournament. I think were he has gotten a bad rap is that he makes it look so easy. That is just how he plays, I can give you a list of other players who look that way also.

    Richard Patton

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  4. Anthony:
    Will you have all of your guys there at Sectionals? If so you guys could be dangerous.

    Godd luck.

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  5. Its not suprised Gonzales lost in Tyler since he was playing with a 4.0.

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  6. Henry does have an ease about his game but unlike a player like Branch he lacks a little fire and I am not sure if he play 4 singles matches next weekend in 100 degree weather. His match with Branch at the DCC last 2 1/2 hours, he was still hitting well but allowed Rusty to climb back into the match, in order for royal oaks to do well he needs to dismiss people quickly.

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  7. There's no way Gonzales's partner in Tyler was a 4.0. He was an upper level 3.5 player if anything. Seriously though, any ringer can lose if he's playing with a guy who just picked up tennis.

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  8. Who was he playing with in Tyler?

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  9. How much does Patton pay his doubles partners? He always seems to have a good partner.

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  10. Patton is actually a pretty solid doubles player. Don't know why he didn't get much playing time in 4.5's this year but it would have fun to see him compete out there.

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  11. Wow anyone counting out Houston in Bracket 1 doesn't belong in this Blog. They will definitely be the team to Beat up in Dallas. WC Dallas doesn't have a doubles team that can match up with the Crush. I see Crush beating WC Dallas 4-1.

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  12. To the person that asked how do I find my doubles partner, I simply use the slush fund Freeman has created to pay all his league tennis players. Freeman gives all his players Exxon stock if you sign up for his team. I use my shares and give them to my doubles partners at tournaments.

    Richard Patton

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  13. The Noho 4.5 team may be a serious competitor to get to Nationals. Dave Wanja just posted a very impressive 6-2 6-0 victory over Aadrian Hasker in the Lake Conroe tournament.

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  14. Any Red benzon team is a threat to get to nationals because 80 percent of their players will be out of level. Lamar may not be Georgia or Stanford but the majority of their players are decent 5.5 players.

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  15. Yea Wanja took the lake conroe tourney in open without dropping a set. 4.5 my ass.

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  16. Don't forget he also won the open men's doubs.

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  17. He is probably a 5.0, but that Men's Open draw in Conroe wasn't much. 4.5 probably not, but would fit right in in 5.0.... 5.5, no way.

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  18. Regardless of what people may think about Wanja as a 5.5/5.0/4.5 he is a Benchmark rated 4.5. which in turn means he cannot be DQ at Sectionals.

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  19. someone sounds nervous about a dq

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  20. No need to be Nervous about DQ. There are no Dq's at Sectionals. The player can have Flags and be booted after Sectionals but by then the Damage has already be done. USTA/TTA should have the computers running during sectionals after each match but I dont think that will happen next weekend.

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  21. A current Division 1 player should be embarrassed to be playing 4.5. Benzon and Bobo are snakes they have no shame don't be surprised if they add one or two more 5,0+ players to their roster before the sectionals.

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  22. Wow someone doesn't know their rules. You can't add anymore players to any rosters. Obviously the last poster is not going to sectionals.

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  23. They added Wanja and one of his matches was a makeup match against Knutson's team from May. Thats a little odd wouldn't you think? And based on the scores it was a default for all 5 lines.

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  24. The deadline to add players has since come and gone, Sherlock.

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  25. People like Bobo and Dwyer who put Benzon on their team know what there getting into. Bobo is just as crooked as Benzon is and will cheat and lie to win. I wonder if David Wanja even played one match for NOHO this year.

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  26. Who's Better Kingwood Crush or NOHO ?? Do either of them have a shot at winning Sectionals?

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  27. Yes, but Bobo is a cracker and Red is not.

    That is why you tennis folks are hating on the immigrant.

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  28. NOHO sucks they have the tougher Bracket and should be out on Friday Evening.

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  29. I would be very surprised if Kingwood Crush and Noho weren't playing on Sunday.

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  30. Kris Knutson allowing Wanja to appear in that default will result in Kilshaw missing out on Nationals. Kilshaw was asleep at the wheel in the NOHO league this year and has allowed Red to steal his trip to Nationals.

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  31. Kris Knutson forfeited the match so obviously Wanja was allowed to have one of his matches count. As for Kingwood losing its chance to go to Nationals give me a Break Wanja is Good but not anything that the Crush can't match up with. Stop your Damn Whining and Compete.

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  32. Here comes the bashing. We were civil for a while.

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  33. There are only a couple of teams that can hang with The Crush and Jimmy let one of them outfox & outcheat him right under his own nose! I love it!

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  34. Jimmy = Country Bumkin
    Red = Slick Used Car Salesman
    Bobo = Jimmy Swaggert

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  35. Actually, you can be DQd at Sectionals. It was done a lot last year. This year there has been a change in that self-rated DQs are going to be treated differently than computer rated DQs. If you get DQd as a self-rated player you lose ALL of your matches. For computer rated players you just lose the last match you played - the one causing the DQ. They are running the computers after every round except the finals.

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  36. After the computer DQ boondoggles last year, will Texas be running the ratings during the tournament? Probably not so everyone might be safe until after Sectionals.

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  37. 8. In the event of a disqualification locally from a particular level of play the section has determined that self rated players have all matches taken away while computer rated players would have the last match played taken away. However, at the Sectional level, the Section chooses to calculate dynamic ratings and disqualify those players that meet the criteria for NTRP disqualification following the conclusion of the championship, all points earned by disqualified players at the championship will stand. .

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  38. I will try to find out what exactly will be done this year at Sectionals and report back to y'all.

    Regardless of the "boondoggles", to be most fair I personally think the computer should be run, so that we can send the strongest LEGAL team to nationals.

    The case where the winning team has players DQ'd after Sectionals are over would leave a huge bitter taste in the mouths of the teams they'd beaten.

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  39. Benchmark!!!!!! Are you smoking crack?

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  40. Captains received a letter from Sue stating the computer "red-flag" system would not be run during sectionals this year. No red flag DQ's at sectionals.

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  41. Bring on all the Sandbaggers and Ringers and play out so that we can see some exciting tennis. I'm sure some of them will melt though it will be over 100 degress Fri-Sun.

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  42. I saw this little write up on www.espn.com- thought some might be interested.

    Rankings for USTA Texas Section- Level- 4.5

    1) Ft. Worth- a great mix of singles and doubles players. If this team loses, some team will have to split singles (tough against the likes of Chan, Huffman, etc.) and go 2-1 in doubles. Good experience and a lot of tournament players. Is Chan really from Washington? Very, very solid in doubles too. This team made a great run 2 years ago and should again. Plays in the toughest of the 3 groups so that might wear them down a bit.

    2) NOHO- kind of a mysterious team. Not a ton of match play to go on. Not a lot of challenge in NOHO. Probably the most talked about as far as shady and questionable. That helps give an edge. Not a far reach to call them Texas Champion on Sunday.

    3) Houston- they had their best year last year. Still a tough, tough team but probably a better team last year with Odion. They will have their hands full with Dallas Wild- that match will go down as 3-2 but for whom? If Houston wins- smooth sailing- if they lose 3-2 not bad either- they would be the wildcard because this is the easiest of the 3 groups- they will get 5 lines v. Waco and another 4 v. Corpus- Houston has the depth to make it a long, long way.

    4) Austin- never bet against an Austin team- they have more sectional wins than probably anyone. One of the best matches of the weekend will be Austin v. NOHO- I give the edge to NOHO because of Red's ability to "squeeze" the most out of his lineups and because the blog mentions Austin missing players. Do we believe what we read? Austin always makes the final 4. Red's teams always make the final 4. Hard to believe one of these two might not make Sunday.

    5) Dallas- too bad they are in the toughest group. They got depth but do they have the stars to win. I could see them finishing first, second or third in this group. Depth could play out with 100+ weather. Dallas has the toughest first day of any team. Don't overlook Austin Wild.

    6) Wild Dallas- dangerous- They can compete with anyone lines 1-3. If they win, they will have to do it the old fashioned way- 3 great lines- they could go a long, long way with a bunch of 3-2 wins. I could see them winning their group and not winning the most lines. If the beat Houston- they make the final 4. If they lose to Houston- they won't pull enough lines to wild card.

    7) Corpus- somehow they bring the basic same group every year and almost always make the final 4. They never win once there. This is a tough year and even if they get their iffy college player. They have hope if they can get 2 lines off Houston and can beat Dallas Wild- but then they face the same fate of losing in the final 4.

    8) Austin Wild- the lucky loser- wouldn't that be a hoot if they came to Dallas and walked away with a punched ticket to Arizona- could be posible- Austin teams have a great sucess at Sectionals- even the wild card teams- they are in the toughest group though. They must get off to a great start against Dallas to go to the final 4.

    9) San Antonio- probably the most overrated of the 12. Some thing they are capable because of past sucess. Take a closer look. Besides the highly illegal San Antonio team that won nationals with out of city players and a 5.5 player playing at nationals under fake ID (so we hear)- San Antonio has little if any final 4 experience. That will continue. 2 better teams and not enough ringers to compete with Austin and Red (NOHO).

    10) Valley- some predict this team going far. Some good players but a short roster, lack of depth and a team group make this a 4th place team.

    11) Abilene- a much improved team from last years Abilene that beat the Valley and went 3-2 with Houston. Younger with some new college players and a capable Cherry on top.

    12) Waco- a much improved team from past Waco representatives- younger and meaner. No past history to make us think anything but a 4th place finish in Group I.

    Prediction:

    Group 1: Wild Dallas
    Group 2: NOHO
    Group 3: Fort Worth
    WC: Houston

    Final: NOHO v. Fort Worth
    Winner: Fort Worth

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  43. Interested to hear your prediction for the top 5 singles players and the top 5 doubles teams.

    If you don't know - ask AR Hacker - he will help you out.

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  44. Good Picks but Branch should edge out FT Worth 3-2.

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  45. Nice summary from espn.com there. I think I'm changing my pick (did I ever actually make one?) to NOHO as Sectional champs. It's just a hunch. I was worried about their second singles spot, but maybe Wanja is the answer. Plus, their so called "Division of Death" has turned into a pussycat if the rumors are to be believed (McMillan's DQ, missing Langford makes Austin's singles weaker. Is Lemke coming? Venhuizen and Galvan staying home for SA? Will Valley even have 8 legitimate players?)

    Omon Dibua was moving much better yesterday, so Kingwood's singles may be better than expected and they should remain the favorite...but I'm guessing Heim and Ford have been playing a little possum in the NOHO league and will come to play in Dallas.

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  46. So many choices - wow - is it going to be Houston or North Houston, Houston or North Houston, Houston or North Houston.

    What is this, a Houston Blog ?

    What till we get internet in Abilene and Forth Worth. We may start our own blog and predict ourselves to win. BOoooRING.

    Also, I only trust the AR Hacker with these kind of polls. He is the pole authority on all matters related to TX Tennis. Is it true that he got kicked off this blog for stalking one of the Valley players. If so, let him back on NOW.

    Finally, I just looked up and could not find the info on ESPN any where. R U being serious.

    Wes

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  47. While Benzon NOHO isn't as illegal as San Antonio was a few years ago (also a Benzon team go figure), they aren't far off. All their sigles players are 5.0 plus. Getting Wanja on the team that late in the season should be protested theres no way he got into a played match.

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  48. Are you trying to say that Craig Bo Bo and Red Benzon would cheat? Heaven Forbid!

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  49. I appreciate the shots you've taken at me, but it doesn't say much about you as a person by standing behind "Anonymous". Why don't you have some guts and speak out with your name. I have enough friends in the tennis community that know who I really am not to worry about 1 or 2 cowards. For the rest of you captains and players, I wish you lots of luck this weekend in Dallas. Let's leave all on the courts, and find the best team to represent us at Nationals. See you guys there. Craig Bobo

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  50. HTown sorry to take away your fandom. I am still around was just officiating for 18 hrs the last few days. I am to much of nerd and my predictions are sure to go wrong. Love tennis and wished I was still in Texas, AR tennis sucks for tournaments and league.
    Good luck to everyone playing this coming weekend. I would much rather be playing like many of you, but instead I will be dealing with a bunch 12 and unders at the National 12s.
    No stalking here either, my wife my get upset.

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  51. I don't know the teams well enough but am curious about peoples opinions on the top 5 singles and doubles going to sectionals?

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  52. Top Singles:
    Rusty Branch, Justin Huffman, O. Dibua, David Wanja, Henry Gonzales

    Top Doubles:
    Hurlbert/Armstrong, Molina/Bui, Slezak/Williams, Strawbridge/Livingston, George/Wescoup

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  53. Just curious, but how is Dallas, FW, Abilene, and Wild Austin the toughest bracket? That seems insane!!!

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  54. so what happens with the computers being off if the team that wins sectionals ends up having half their team DQ'ed? Does that mean withoubeing able to fill a team to head to nationals that the next team in line would go instead?

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  55. well whoever does go to Nationals, just remember to ask the other team to use ineligible players and the USTA will allow you access back to Nationals at the next highest level. Just ask AL. ;)

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  56. Yeah leave Bobo alone, it's a home grown team and dammit people like us!!!!!

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  57. Someone mentioned the top 5 singles/doubles teams. Here's my sleeper category:

    Singles:

    1. Alfonso Rodriguez, Rio Grande valley. The fact that he hasn't been mentioned yet in the blog can only mean that nobody's seen this guy play before. A top of the line 4.5 player with no apparent weaknesses, this guy at #1 may not lose a set this weekend.

    2. Alejandro Sanchez, San Antonio. I guess nobody saw this guy play the Alamo City Open in early July. 3.5 hours of exceptionally high quality tennis (albeit a morning match) leaves no doubts about his conditioning even though he lost the match. Anyone playing this guy better be ready to run--a lot.

    3. Roland Ingram, Rio Grande Valley. This guy is on such a deep team that he may not even play singles depending on how many people Guillermo brings to Dallas. But if he does play singles you're advised to stand several feet behind the baseline because he hits flat and hard and doesn't miss much. And he probably will have slept in his truck the night before as he's been known to do.

    4. Wesley Longacre, Waco. He's coming in with a ton of confidence after winning Fort Worth last weekend. And with a name like that, you know he can cover a lot of ground. (Sorry, bad pun)

    5. Bryan Rainwater, Abilene. This guy beat last year's Sectionals MVP Chad Case a few weeks ago at the Mason tourament, not to mention several other quality players. He's got the capability of blowing anybody off the court if his game's on that day.

    Honorable Mention:

    Robert Whitehurst, Corpus Christi. Ironic that a guy that owns billboards would be coming in under the radar, but his forehand is as good as anyone's and can turn a point around from anywhere on the court. His conditioning is suspect, however, so I've got to keep him out of my top 5.

    Doubles:

    It's tough to mention teams since so many guys have been switching around this year, but I'll do my best.

    1. Orlando Galvan & anyone. He's too good on the serving and volleying to be left off the list. He's a threat no matter who he plays with, and with the lineup SA has, he'll be paired with somebody good.

    2. Alan Williams/Chris McDaniel, Austin. They've played together for a long time and are great at putting the return at your feet and then poaching for the putaway. Bring your A game against these guys because they are very consistent.

    3. Herb Morton/Red Benzon. Nevermind that physics defying backhand of Mr. Morton, when Red's serving well and Herb's at the net, you're more likely to be scaling the fence behind you to retrieve a Morton overhead/high volley than getting one past him.

    4. Guillermo Martin Javier Del Campo Garcia Gonzalez, et al. & anybody. Just the time it takes to say his complete name will take 30 seconds off your life, but you could be down 40-0 in the same span of time with G-man and pretty much anybody on his roster facing you. His doubles insticts are excellent and crisp volleys will have you hitting to his partner, whoever it may be, by midway in the 1st set.

    5. Jason Kern/Edward Leija, Abilene. Though I haven't had the pleasure of seeing these guys in action together, their results speak for themselves and they have everyone's respect that I've spoken to.

    Projected Tourney Winner:

    Rio Grande Valley. Old man Guillermo pulled some strings a few months ago to get a 3 team league together to avoid the arduous trip to Abilene and stay under the radar at the same time. If the rumor is true that Uncle Sam is taking away his Ace in the Hole for the weekend then they can be beaten, but if they bring their full squad I can't see them losing 3 matches to anyone.

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  58. Bobo is the new Alann Torres.

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  59. Where do these people come from????
    Your telling me that the team from the Valley, who had 2 defaults in 3 of their 4 matches and 1 in the other, and haven't played a full match(best of 3 sets) is going to come to Dallas with 9 players, and win 5 full matches against the best 4.5 teams in Texas? That's what your telling us?

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  60. You guys are forgetting william Heim on the NOHO team. Likely as strong if not stronger than wanja. Gives NOHO 1-2 punch at singles. Red and whoever are not even the best line one or two doubles on this team.

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  61. valleyview---

    You must not watch much doubles at all.

    None of the 5 teams that you mention will do much damage at sectionals and you fail to even include the best players in your ANALysis. Red Benzon and Herb Morton, are you kidding me?!?! Bobo/Whitsett are on that team and would murder them. No mention of Chris Slezak from Dallas. No mention of Armstrong/Hurlbert/Valentine etc from Kingwood. You should really go watch sectionals and you will see how flawed your picks are and see how much more you should get out.

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  62. The only person from the valley that travels past Corpus is Alfonso, and sometimes Casas (he is a non factor in singles or doubles unless he cheats). South Texas has some really good players, but they do not have the depth that the other Sectional teams have.

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  63. The Valley will be traveling with only 8 players because Roland Ingram was written in for 2 Defaults which makes him ineligible at Sectionals. You can have 1 default but u have to have played a match as well. This will hurt the valleys chances because Roland is such a good singles player.

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  64. Robert Whitehurst? Take off those valley goggles. He lost 2 and 1 to Brent James last year. Also recently lost at Sectionals to Rusty Branch 1 and 1 and Steve Phan 2 and 4.

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  65. Did you mean Wesley James, or is there another James in the tourney.

    I only know of Wesley - I used to date one of his sisters.

    Wesley is not even playing this weekend. He is hurt. Check out this link for all the news :

    www.ESPN//tennis.comment.g?/blisters@//sectionals/Dallasrules

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  66. ValleyView is smoking as much crack as Tim Green.

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  67. Valleyview, I think you underestimate the type of talent that will be on display in Dallas. Alfonso, who is a very good 4.5 player, may go 1-2 this weekend if he gets matched up against the opponents top player. Also, while I appreciate the compliment, there is no way that Ed and I are anywhere close to a top 5 team at Sectionals.
    AR Hacker, while Justin is a good player it's certainly hard to put him in the top 5 when he's not the best singles player on his own team.
    I have a feeling some people will be reevaluating the level of talent at 4.5 after this weekend.

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  68. Yup. Kern recently had a nice win over Jason Gound, who is usually number one in the state in 5.0 tournaments. At 4.5 sectionals, though, Gound's career record stands at 2-4 in singles. 'Nuf said.

    Tournament players are moving up at least a level when they get to Dallas. Tim Green wasn't even good enough to play singles at 4.5 Sectionals most of the time.

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  69. As long as Benzon and Bobo have enough money to get all their shady characters up to Dallas, they are the top pick. But NOHO ringers, make sure Benzon pays you upfront.

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  70. I think Alfonso could do well but the odds the rest of the team can come up with two wins for the entire weekend is highly unlikely.

    It does seem strange they didn't really have to play to make it sectionals but why not send more teams, will there ever be 4 flights of 4.5 like there is at 3.5and 4.0??

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  71. GOOD GOD FEDERER SUCKS NOW! losing to Ginepri?

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  72. My sleeper picks are not necessarily the players that I think are the best ones there, because there are many people going to Dallas that I'm not familiar with, but rather people that I think are coming into the weekend as underdogs who have the potential to surprise a more highly regarded opponent. As far as my prediction for the Valley to go all the way, I wasn't aware that Ingram had been declared ineligible. It will be a much tougher task without him. Dallas would be my second choice to win it all.

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  73. Federer will not lose to Ginepri. He is up 4 love in the 3rd right now.

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  74. not sure if it is official, but if Ingram is not ineligible the **** will hit the fan.

    Good luck to everyone going, do not envy anyone having to play in the heat expected.

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  75. best singles player at the 4.o level is peter razeghi from NOHO. self rated ringer.

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  76. Official Ingram from Valley is ineligible for Sectionals. They are gonna have a tough time this weekend.

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  77. Just trying to be a good sport and help, but wanted to let everyone who is travelling to Dallas know that an expected cold front is coming this weekend. I would suggest warm-ups and sweatshirts. I have lived in Dallas a long time and when we get these cold fronts, you want to dress warm. You will freeze in shorts. Good luck.

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  78. Yeah. I wouldn't even bother packing shorts and t-shirts. Won't need them. Also, when it gets cold like this you don't even need to bring water to the courts. It just goes wasted. A nice pot of hot coffee is best when these cold fronts hit.

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  79. WOW!!! You are funny, I even checked the weather when i read your posting. 97 and 99 degrees are definite warm up weather. I will make sure to pack xtra coffee, leg warmers, and my insulated underwear.

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  80. Ted Puma might need 2 warms up

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  81. That's right. Dress in layers. Lots and lots of layers.

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  82. it did rain this morning here in big D so it cooled off a little, same expected for tomorrow I believe. It is still a little toasty but at least that humidity that has been with for the last couple of weeks is gone.

    That might help some of you slated to play all of the matches.

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  83. No Valley team this weekend, they have withdrawn officially, according to an email I saw from Sue. The spot is being offered to 2nd place Ft. Worth team.

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  84. Thanks Anthony...I just got word myself. It appears that the Mob Squad was not the only team to pull out this year. I can only assume that they thought Ingram would be eligible and are crippled (numerically at least) without him.

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  85. It really is a shame, bc the Valley would have won that sorry division with 7 players - and probably could have won the whole tourney on Sunday.

    Would not be suprised to see FW Wild win that division now.

    Besides FW wild is used to playing in cooler weather conditions and will be well adjusted for this weekend.

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  86. Will there be any repercussions for them withdrawing so late?
    I know some Sections and districts hand out suspensions to those on the team with a late withdrawal. Obviously in this case one could also factor in the recent weather catastrophe.

    Watch for the FTW WC, they have players that have a win over the FTW Main, so they could be dangerous also.

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  87. Yep no doubt the valley was the team to beat, and crazy enough I just saw lightning bolts actually shoot out of my a**, which was kind of cool in a weird way!!

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  88. There will be no penalty for the Valley Pulling out at the Last Minute because alot of there players had damages to there homes from Hurricane Dolly. Don't think they would enjoy the 10hr drive to Dallas shorthanded either. Ft Worth Wild is stong but will have there work cut out for them. Nice to see all the anonyomous comments from Dallas Branch team. Pls come back and post on Friday evening when you guys are out of it. Also don't forget to Dress accordingly OOPS you guys can go home I Forgot.

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  89. to the 5:07 poster. That wasn't lightning.

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  90. What was it then? Were you there, up close and personal to be able to provide that insight?

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  91. Houston teams should just stay home, and save themselves from the beatdowns they will get this weekend.

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  92. Bobo and Benzon are bringing the ringers big time all other teams beware. Your only hopes are to sneak in some SMU players on your roster.

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  93. more ? i thought it would stop with B Heim and Wanja. Please tell.

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