Kingwood squeaked out a 3-2 win in a hard fought and well-played matchup with the Met last night. Neither team had its "best" lineup out there: Kingwood was unable to use Omon Dibua or Juan Lopez in singles, and much-discussed Sarosh Ahmed did not play for the Hurricanes.
David Yang gave Gary Armstrong all he could handle at the top singles spot, but ultimately fell short in the third set tiebreaker. Brian Mills had a solid win over Phi Huynh at two singles. Mills has now played 14 matches in USTA competition this year (singles and doubles, tournaments and league) and is still undefeated. The Southeast Texas player must be considered one of the top players in the Houston league this season and will have to be considered a favorite in all of his matches in city playoffs.
Ben Whitsett was unavailable last night, so Phong Regent filled in admirably as Craig Bobo's partner. Phong has recently had a second child and hasn't had as much time to devote to tennis, but the veteran helped win two close sets over Glenn Wright and Stephen Valentine. Hai Vu and unbeatable Tim Hurlbert convincingly won at 2 doubles, spoiling Chris Stanich's 4.5 debut. Line 3 doubles was the match of the night. Omon Dibua was noticably hobbled, but convinced Captain Kilshaw to put him in the lineup. He and Brandon Burris squeaked out a 6-7, 7-6, 10-5? win over Jacob Vernon and David Duplechin. Vernon played very well in a losing effort.
Kingwood has a leg up on the division championship as the Met will now have to sweep their other two matchups to win the title.
Westside won its matchup with the Jedi Knights 4-1. Copperfield has not reported its score, but will need to win 8 out of 10 lines in their last two matches (last night included) to tie Westside for the division title and requiring a comparison of sets and possibly games. Alan Teague and Tommy Ristau won a tight three setter against the Coursons. Ted Erck again lost for the Knights and is now 2-3 on the season.
In one of the few 4.0 matches reported, the JCC dudes continued their slide, losing 3-2 to the Westside Phoenix and falling to 6-2. JCC is not the youngest team around, and veteran doubles players Joe Warren and Chuck Stasny had to retire after one set last night. JCC is now tied for second place at 6-2, but has a nice edge in lines won. However, they still have one tough makeup match to play. The Hurricanes continued their waltz through the regular season, beating Rice behind the singles play of Scott Foster and Reef Merhi.
In 5.0, the Met kept its hopes alive with a win over Old School. Amit Garg dominated Tor Krosby in singles, and Chris Zolas and Mike Panesar picked up line one dubs for the Met. Lost Forest's 5.0 team won their match as well. Red Benzon and Alim Mambetov contributed a doubles win to the cause.
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4.5 Copperfield Lobsters won last night 3-2
ReplyDeleteI wish Sarosh would have played last night to either shut up the smack talkers or validate their over-rated theory.
ReplyDeleteNow we have to endure more "what-ifs" from the anonymous crowd.
I feel like I am watching the democratic primary. I wish it would have ended so much earlier...don't really care if Sarosh kills people or gets bageled.
I was there last night and very impressed by both teams. Both teams are loaded with solid players up and down and the quality of tennis was very high. It's not hype, I think these are clearly the two best teams in Houston.
ReplyDeleteHow can you leave out The Mob Squad? Haven't they made it to Sectionals every year they played?
ReplyDeleteThat's the past.
ReplyDeleteMob Squad is clearly a threat to any team, and so are the Westside Black Sheep. Not sure the Black Sheep had all their best players out last night, but they have the potential to do well in the playoffs.
ReplyDeletei knew that sa-roach would not play. his ego is too big to allow him to lose. quit running scared like a roach and play some tennis.
ReplyDeleteFoad your Sarosh postings are getting old. Give it up and get a life.
ReplyDeleteI agree Foad, play some tennis and stop posting.
ReplyDeleteThe Mobsquad was good when they had Hai and Phi and that Rodrigo guy. Their just average now.
ReplyDeletelook at the scores between the ssshhhwings vs lost forest. talk about a beat down. ssshhwings have a chance to overtake yutts for the second spot in div III.
ReplyDeleteHurricanes are definitely a formidable team but against the Mob Squad they would definitely outmatched in the Singles part. There is NO one on the Hurricanes that poses a Threat to the Mob. Kingwood Crush is even Vulnerable against the Mob in the Singles with Lopez and Dibua out of the singles line up. It's Copperfield who might pull some upsets this year.
ReplyDeleteWho are their top two singles guys? Can they beat Dibua and Lopez when they get healthy?
ReplyDeleteBrian Mills could beat any of the singles on Mob or Kingwood. His game is not going to blow you away, but he is smart, and more consistent than all of the 4.5 guys I have seen in any division.
ReplyDeleteThe Mob Squad would be favored to sweep the two singles spots against any team in Houston but they have no guaranteed doubles lines.
ReplyDeleteCopperfield can put out a line-up that would beat any team in Houston as well.
What happened in the Lost Forest/Bear Creek 4.0 match last night?
ReplyDeleteLost Forest is lucky to have won a match this year and someone is pointing out the beat down the Schwing gave them.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it must be one of the Schwing player trying to pump up his team. They should beat them bad.
ReplyDeleteIf Swing beat Yuttes 4-1 next week they clinch the 2nd spot in the playoffs for Division III. If they win 3-2 then they will be at the mercy of the Mob Squad's effort to win at least 1 line against the Yuttes the following week. Who will win? What are the best line-ups?
ReplyDeleteDivision III is now the most intersting division. It has been the most competitive all year.
it's do or die for the yutts next week. they have to bring their guns. i would pick the shwings 4-1 over yutts, only if they play v. giordanelli and lindloff for singles. don't see any of the yutts singles player beating these two guys.
ReplyDeleteJust saw that Southeast Texas has their league all registered. Jacob Vernon and Brian Mills are both on that Team. Are they allowed to play in the City Playoffs for the Hurricanes and participate in the Beaumont League? Seems kind of unfair that they get 2 chances to Guarantee a Sectionals spot. They should have to choose IMO. Can someone clarify this situation.
ReplyDeleteJust saw that Southeast Texas has their league all registered. Jacob Vernon and Brian Mills are both on that Team. Are they allowed to play in the City Playoffs for the Hurricanes and participate in the Beaumont League? Seems kind of unfair that they get 2 chances to Guarantee a Sectionals spot. They should have to choose IMO. Can someone clarify this situation.
ReplyDeletePeople do this all the time. It is hedging.
ReplyDeleteThey must declare for a team and only play for that team until their season ends.
Since SETX does not have a playoff, they can declare for the HTA team play through the city playoffs and then go to Sectionals with the HTA team. If they lose in the HTA playoff they can go back to the SETX team.
Freeman is good counsel on the ins and outs of how to work this....
Several guys are playing in the Houston league and the NOHO league to hedge their bets.
ReplyDeleteI should know the rules better than I do. Players are forced to declare their team on June 30th. Are they still allowed to play for their NOHO or SE TX team in the interim between June 30th and the end of city playoffs?
ReplyDeleteNOHO is completed on 6/28 so that is a don't care.
ReplyDeleteThe SETX season is just starting so that is a very interesting predicament....
Who is Jason Freeman screwing to get 3 Beaumontians on his team? I thought you could only have one guy outside of 50 miles? Can that be protested to Tasha?
ReplyDeleteIs screwing Freeman a reward or a punishment?
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know the results from copperfield vs. lltc?
ReplyDeletelook at the first posting from this morning. Copperfield 3-2
ReplyDeleteI think Copperfield won 3-2.
ReplyDeletePUNISHMENT!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehahahhahah nice.
ReplyDeletethis means Copperfield will have to sweep Rice 5-0 next week to win div II. looks like Westside will win div II.
ReplyDeleteI would agree. Rice plays well at home and has some good players. They should get at least a line. The way city looks, it may not be an advantage to win the division.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that Copperfield should prefer to lose division II and play in the same pool as Kingwood in the city playoffs? The same Kingwood team that just beat the Met without their 2 best singles players. I would question that strategy.
ReplyDeletebtw, how many Kents play tennis, or is Matthew not related?
Copperfield stacks up well with Kingwood. I doubt Lopez and Dibua will be at 100% and playing singles in the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteNo, just saying the schedule and playing times are strange for whoever wins division II. As far as matchups, it's not like teams should be jumping at the chance to have Met in their pool either. Nobody said they should prefer to LOSE the division, just that the rewards for winning it aren't that great as they would have to play 3 matches in 24 hours rather than over 4 days.
ReplyDeleteRules for playing two different leagues and qualify for sectionals are: You do have to declare by end of June and assume you play in the city play offs if your team in the city play offs is out of it before your other league champion is confirmed (mathematically) then you can actually go back and play for them but once there is mathematically a clear winner then you are stuck with the fate of the city play off team and cannot go back.
ReplyDeleteAllen
i think copperfield tanked two of their lines on purpose last night. the had the ability to win 5-0 against lltc.
ReplyDeleteMatthew, David and Adam are all Brother Kents.
ReplyDeleteDavid is the oldest and Adam is the youngest
what the heck is this? a family tree blog? dude you're killing me
ReplyDeleteIs it true that Omon and Burris faced match points in the 2nd set and still won?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I hear, yes they faced match points. And it took Armstrong a 3rd set breaker to beat Yang. KW could have lost that match 4-1 in reality, but they are fighters and always play til the end.
ReplyDeletenext week will be another interesting week when the met plays kingwood again
ReplyDeleteYes, we had 2 match points at 6-4 in the 2nd set tiebreaker before Jimmy gave Omon the secret signal to call everything "out", 4 bad calls later Kingwood had won the 2nd set :)
ReplyDeleteJust kidding, Omon actually called a wicked Brandon drop shot out that everyone else thought was in...and that was match point for Kingwood.
It was a great match and a great atmosphere. Hopefully we will have another good one this week.
Ooopps, that previous post was me.
ReplyDeleteFreeman,
ReplyDeleteYou are a pretty funny guy I must admit. I was almost taking that post serious until I got to the 2nd paragraph. Omon is definitely one of the most stand up guys that you will ever come across. I was standing on the sidelines watching that match too(pulling for KW) and it was a great one. Your guys had us very nervous in that match.
Yeah, Omon is a great guy and a good sport. The only major weakness I see in his game is his fitness; however, no fear, I gave him several overall health tips last night so he should be back in form in no time.
ReplyDeleteWho won today in the NOHO league?
ReplyDeleteRed's team lost 3-2, what I heard is the suppose ringer is not that good. Also Red was extremely upset after the lose. I guess this will inflate Kris's ego.
ReplyDeleteRed's stomach looks inflated if u ask me.
ReplyDeleteDid Red Win? According to tennis link all they needed to do was win 2 matches to clinch sectionals birth so who cares.
ReplyDeleteDid Knutson play?
ReplyDeleteNp one really cares about the NOHO League so why do we talk about it. The Key players play on Thursday Evening.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way any team could have clinched anything today. NOHO is still up for grabs but Red's team is in control. If Red's team loses the next two matches then Knutson's team will advance (assuming they win out). Kingwood can possible advance as well.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting point is that Kilshaw can personally keep Red's team from advancing to sectionals by putting out a solid line-up this Saturday. Since Red's NOHO team will be his biggest competition and roadblock to nationals then I don't see why he wouldn't go for the win next week and throw his match against Knutson. It's worth a shot.
There is no way Red's team doesn't win NOHO. If they don't, he'll just grab a couple of his ringers and head up the QT tournament (leaving his dead weight behind).
ReplyDeleteFunny Note is assuming Knutsons team does win does he really think 15 days from right now that his key players like (Phoummarath/Mob Squad) (Mills,Vernon Hunckler,Rios/Hurricanes)will declare his team on June 30th. Who has a better shot the Hurricanes or the NOHO. They need these players to be competitive.
ReplyDelete"Red was extremely upset" Where do you guys get this crap. Red was not extremely upset because he knows his team is still in the driver's seat. Knutsen has to win the rest of his matches 5-0, unlikely to happen.
ReplyDeleteDamn Tor Krosby got ssssmmmacked! that was surprising.
ReplyDeleteIf you are talking about Tor losing to Amit, frankly it is not that surprising.
ReplyDeleteTor is not as good as he thinks he is. He is one of the most unlike-able people in tennis.
ReplyDeleteRed's team does not have this locked up. If they lose to Kingwood this week, then that makes the make-up match vs. Knutson's team for all the marbles. I think Red may be sweating more than you think.
ReplyDeletePlease its Knutson that should be sweating. He will not have any key players come June 30th. Does he really think his key players will choose his team. Mills/Vernon/Phoummarath/Rios/Hunckler. These guys are committed to the Hurricanes and Phoummarath is committed toh the Mob Squad. Which leaves him with NOTHING in NOHO.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Knutson is all that concerned with going to nationals or actually doing well at sectionals. I think he would be happy just getting to make the trip regardless if anyone commits to his team or not. That would actually make it that much more enjoyable to him. All his joy would come from keeping Red from advancing with his dream team.
ReplyDeleteRed should be sweating.
Ted loses to Hai 6-3, 6-1 and beats Ford 6-3, 6-0???
ReplyDeleteAntoine might have been out DJ'ing the night before you never know.
ReplyDeleteDon't read too much into it.
Hey Red, please have Mr. Ford give me a call sometime. I have been meaning to catch up with him.
Red's self proclaimed "DreamTeam" would get waxed by both the Crush and the Hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteThe anticipation is killing all of us for the next Benzon NOHO match. I wonder what "results" we will see after next Saturday.
ReplyDeleteHere's some reality for you. Red's "DreamTeam" does not have a singles player that could beat Omon, Gary Armstrong, Juan Lopez, etc. If Kilshaw wants to beat Red this week, then all he has to do is ask his top guys to play. Red's team cannot beat the Crush if they bring their top lineup. PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE. What lineup does Red have that could beat:
ReplyDeleteJuan Lopez #1
Gary Armstrong #2
Hurlbert/Omon #1
Burris/Valentine #2
Wright/Pekar #3
Actually you could mix and match a lot of guys and still beat Red's team.
I think it's pretty obvious Ted tanked against Hai. Will Hai have the balls to ask to play against him again?
ReplyDeleteTed and Hai don't like each other. No way Ted tanked a match against Hai. Hai won't have the balls to play Ted again.
ReplyDeleteActually, Hai told me that he would be happy to offer Ted a rematch the next time the two teams meet.
ReplyDeleteNice Touch with that Kingwood Line-up But Doubt you will ever see that Line-up in the Local League unless off course its the Finals of playoffs. If Kingwood Cared so much about winning the NOHO League they definitely would have added Burris/Dibua to there Saturday Team. They want to win the Thursday League and they should do so.
ReplyDeleteIs the Houston league sending only one team to Dallas this year in 4.5 or will both finalists go? I've heard it both ways.
ReplyDeleteTrash talking Knutson didn't even put himself in the lineup.
ReplyDeletethat's why he's No-Knut-son
ReplyDeleteBig Match this week in Div III between the shwing and yutts, winner goes to playoffs.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Red has ever said he could he could beat Kingwood Crush and that's probably why he played NOHO because he knows how strong the Teams are on Thursday Nights. One things for Sure is that his teams season is definitely easier on Saturdays than Thursdays. There is No Playoffs in NOHO either. They go straight to Sectionals. The Thursday night Teams have to fight for Positioning and have to work alot harder.
ReplyDeleteOne other advantage (and I'm sure Red is well aware of this) to playing NoHo is that you are allowed two players from outside of fifty miles. The "Big Cities" are allowed only one, if I read the rules correctly.
ReplyDeleteno glory playing NOHO.
ReplyDeleteIs it harder to get people out to play on Saturdays or Thursdays?
ReplyDeleteit's harder for people with families to play Sat. plus there are more things to do other then tennis on sat. it's just easier to play thurs.
ReplyDeleteI take it that the players in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas/Ft Worth dont have families to be with? Saturday leagues are much easier to play everywhere but Houston?
ReplyDeletewhoever said Tor Krosby isnt as good as he thinks he is, just check out his records from last season--beat some good players. id cut the guy some slack-he must have not played well.
ReplyDeleteGive Amit some damn credit, the guy is a really good player. Maybe Tor is not as good as you think.
ReplyDelete