There are not any/many interesting matches on the docket this week.
In 4.0, Copperfield's Shock and Awe takes its 4-1 team on the road to play Cinco Ranch's undefeated Comets. Copperfield has a huge defecit in a tiebreaker situation. They will need a win this week and some good breaks the rest of the way to make it to city playoffs.
In 4.5, Ssshhhwings host Lakeside in an effort to keep their small playoff hopes alive. Lester Callaway was impressive last week in the #2 singles slot for Shwings and is now 4-0 on the season.
Division III has a virtual 3-way tie for first place, but none of the teams figures to be tested this week. Every set may end up being crucial. The Hurricanes have the toughest match this week, but we'll see what kind of Taylor HS brings on its trek to LLTC.
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Which city has the toughest competition en route to sectionals? Houston? Dallas? San Antonio? Austin?
ReplyDeleteBased on volume of teams/players I would suggest Houston.
ReplyDeleteDallas does theirs differently where teams from fall/spring make the city playoffs that feed into city championship.
San Antonio/Austin would be right behind HOU/DAL IMHO.
Places like Waco/Tyler other towns of this size have it the best. Recruit and make one strong team and stomp on everyone locally and then feed into sectionals.
-schwing's only chance is to take at least 1 singles and two dubs. good luck winning 2 lines of dubs against lakeside.
ReplyDelete-lakeside will need to win to guarantee a spot in playoffs.
- houston has been the top dog in 4.5 in the last few years.
ReplyDelete2004 mob squad: sectional finals
2005 swat: nationals
2006 down year
2007 crush: sectional finals
2008 crush: sectional finals
2009 hurricanes: nationals
-amazing streak. it will end this year though.
-in 4.0
2009 hurricanes: sectional finals
2008 down year
2007 hurricanes: nationals
2006 two teams in semis
before that, not much.
In 2008 Noho won Sectionals at went to Nationals. I'd say Houston is pretty dominant in 4.5's. Houston has also had back to back Sectional Championships in 5.0 in 2009,2008.
ReplyDeleteinteresting scenario.
ReplyDelete-lets assume lakeside ends season 7-1, they will have the advantage in overall wins
-a lost or win for duecebags against lakeside is irrelevant for duecebags. if they win, they will still have to beat coaches and if they lose, they will be 7-1. if katy coaches beat gtac and schwing, the final match with duecebags will determine who gets the second spot. if coaches win, they are in, cuz they will have more overall wins then duecebags.
just a thought
Only problem with that scenario is that the coaches suck.
ReplyDeleteHouston Mens Sectional Results since 2003 (Semis, Finalist, Champs):
ReplyDelete2003:
5.0 - Finalist
8.5 Combo - CHAMPS
2004:
4.0 - Semis
4.5 - Finalist
5.0 - Finalist
5.5 - Finalist; NATIONALS Finalist
2005:
4.5 - NATIONALS
5.5 - Finalist
7.5 Combo - Finalist
2006:
3.5 - Semis
4.0 - 2 teams in Semis
5.5 - NATIONALS - Semis
7.5 Combo - Semis
2007:
3.5 - NATIONALS
4.0 - NATIONALS
4.5 - 1 Finalist & 1 Semis
2008:
Tri-Level - Finalist
4.5 - Finalist (Houston)
4.5 - NATIONALS (NOHO)
5.0 - NATIONALS
Open - NATIONALS - Semis
8.5 Combo - Finalist
2009:
Tri-Level - NATIONALS
4.0 - Finalist
4.5 - NATIONALS
5.0 - NATIONALS - Finalist
Open - Finalist
7.5 Combo - CHAMPS
8.5 Combo - CHAMPS
2010:
Tri-Level - NATIONALS
Houston has done pretty well. Good Job Htown tennis players!!!
ReplyDeleteI know the post is titled "boring week" but are we really reminiscing about previous years teams?? Let's at least get back to who the favorites will be at City.
ReplyDeleteI'd say Lakeside, Duecebags,Westside,and Copperfield will be battling it out for the (hopefully) 2 spots at sectionals. Can't wait to see the match ups with these teams. How would you rank their chances in order??
Everyone is underestimating Lakeside. They will easily win Houston and will be a favorite for nationals when sectionals comes around. Lakeside is every bit as good Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. If you are not already a believer, you will be.
ReplyDeleteNow that's going out on a limb making that statement. You must be a Lakeside team member. Win Houston 1st then you can talk. Until then,enjoy that country club atmosphere and relax.
ReplyDeleteWas just wondering. No one has really said much about the fact that this is the first time in, How many years, that Freeman/Benzon's 4.5 team is not the clear cut favorite. Is this because of the new ratings or the other captains have out-recruited.
ReplyDeletewho does Lock play tonight?
ReplyDeleteto 11:09: it's because they focused on the NOHO team rather than Houston. That team will be up there with ones from the past.
ReplyDeleteSaying that Lakeside is a clear cut favorite for nationals is a major stretch. They are probably the favorites in City but Westside, Copperfield and Duecebags will all challenge them. D-bags seem as good as last year and these are the best teams WS and copperfield have ever put together.
There may not be a "super team" at City but the match ups will be the most intereting in years- especially since everyone will play eachother.
Could someone explain why the Houston All Stars have to play for NOHO in the "off" seasons". The 3 person rule still applies no matter which city you play for.
ReplyDeleteI just looked at NoHo's roster. If I'm not mistaken they are still eligible to pull 1 more player from the 2009 Nationals team. Still don't understand why they have to play NoHo instead of Houston.
ReplyDeleteNOHO is a superior league. They play regular scoring and play out the third set. Plus, weekends are more convenient for some people.
ReplyDeleteCase in point is why battle the lights at LLTC/MPTC if you don't have to. Why play a long season and even a playofs if you don't have to. Seems logical that Noho is win and your into Sectionals.
ReplyDeleteThen why not just play out of NoHo every year. Just keep THE Team up there instead of playing Thursday nights and dealing with City Playoffs.
ReplyDeleteSomwtimes there is not enough participation in Noho for the league to form. Luckily b/c of 4.0 bump ups the league made. Good point though about playing league every year out of Noho.
ReplyDeleteThe other Noho teams are not competitive.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Saturday, regular scoring, and full third set is desirable! Dont mind the thrid set breaker as much as the No-Ad thing. Also, dislike having to split team match times (ie 7pm for some, 8pm for others)- takes away from the team feel etc. I understand why as can not start much earlier nor play much later and court availability. But if you played on Saturday like Austin, SA, Dallas etc you could have time slots of 9am,11am,1pm,3pm. This gives you 4 time slots at every location rather than 1-2 on a evening. Thus allowing to get rid of No-Ad and if desired play a full third set as time no longer the issue.
ReplyDeleteToo much talk...let's fight!
ReplyDeleteI for one would like to see the Houston "All-Stars" stay in NOHO each year. It makes it much more fun and compeitive for the rest us.
ReplyDeleteAll the "ALL STARS" are on Lakeside's and Deucebag's rosters!!!
ReplyDeleteLakeside 5-0 tonight over Shwwinng !!
ReplyDeleterothe, callaway, albers are still undefeated
ReplyDeleteYou really want me to list all the Lakeside guys who are undefeated? How about a Shwinng loss tonight and they're out.
ReplyDeleteLakeside will get their comeuppance. Soon.
ReplyDeleteLakeside is NOT the runaway favorite for City. As for D-bags, they are not any better than Copperfield and Westside, all three of which are just below Lakeside.
ReplyDeleteLakeside would lose 4-1 or 5-0 to NOHO once the NOHO roster is complete. Just sit back and watch boys. Sit back and watch.
ReplyDeleteLakeside crushed Shwwing tonight 5-0. BTW Mr. 4:27 All 3 players that were undefeated loss last night. LAKESIDE IS THE REAL DEAL. I'm a believer.
ReplyDeleteAs I stated last week, all teams except for Black Sheep & Lobsters will lose some talented player(s) from their roster, including Lakeside come playoff time. If Lakeside kept their roster totally intact they are good, but not at the level of the NOHO Team. Craig Bobo
ReplyDeleteThe Rolido Boys lost their 3rd in a row.
ReplyDeleteWho won the Black Sheep v. NWO re-match?
ReplyDeleteWho cares. That match is meaningless
ReplyDeleteDon't look now, but the Katy Coaches are becoming a factor. Having spent one year as the coach of the illustrious Cy Ridge Rams Junior Varsity tennis team, I'm pulling for them to make some noise.
ReplyDeleteTrip Norkus (Strake Jesuit JV) was 0-6 last year...this year he's been lights out teaming mostly with James Weaver. He's had four straight set wins with Ed Hess and Ricky Barrera among his victims.
Maybe the coaches will add one of last year's top players, former Alief Elsik head coach Aaron Layman, for their playoff run. The meat of the schedule remains, but they do control their own playoff destiny.
NWO beat Black Sheep. Wow
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine the match had any real significance to Black Sheep. They've all but clinched. Still a surprising loss. They better be careful about being too complacent with the rest of the schedule.
ReplyDeleteConvincing Lakeside win. They are definately legit.
-NWO, just gave themselves some life. looks like a 3 way rat race in div2 and div3.
ReplyDelete-lakeside pretty much secured their spot in city. they still need a win from either duecebags or ball hawks.
-i'm pulling for a deciding match between katy coaches vs duecebags in the final week.
Is it possible to get a strike in an HTA league match? It doesn't seem like it should be possible since 4.5 player can play in 4.0 league as long as he plays #1. But I don't know the answer.
ReplyDeleteThey can't that's only in the Fall/Spring when its 4.0+
ReplyDeleteIn the Spring league you can get a strike. In the Fall league you can't.
ReplyDeleteOk, I believe you, Numbers Guy. However, I want to know how you know that spring results count in computing NTRP and can generate strikes.
ReplyDeleteI've scoured the web and I can't see any public statement on this. This fact strikes me as very fishy if a league that doesn't feed into the USTA playoffs can somehow generate strikes and change your ratings. In particular, it's a beautiful way to tank your rating way down in preparation of the summer league.
If this is true, HTA needs to either tell the TTA to stop doing this or inform all of its league members officially of the fact. The current situation is baloney.
I have always heard that the spring leagues effect your rating. I thought that was common knowledge. I didn't know that you could get strikes there though. So a player could start summer league with two strikes already? Seems like it might be risky to play the HTA leagues then. Could Cheryl or Diane or Tosha or Todd Reid comment on this? Or could Numbers Guy tell us where he got this from or confirm it with some body?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I can't recall at the moment where I learned that Spring matches count against your ratings and Fall matches don't, only that I heard it from more than one source that I considered reliable. Towle may recall where he learned it. I'll see if I can track it down further. But case in point, look up Alejandro Daniel Baiz's 2010 record. In the Spring league he played and won three matches, the first USTA matches of his career evidently, by an average score of 6-0, 6-1, and was DQed from 3.5 level at that point. He's doing almost as well at 4.0 BTW.
ReplyDeleteAs far as not being able to find definitive information on it, I think this is how the USTA prefers it. Their general belief, and I don't disagree, is that the more people understand the inner workings of the system, the more those few bad actors will manipulate it. And yes I do see more evidence (in the numbers of course) of people manipulating their Spring results than I do their Fall results.
I have spoken with Tosha in the past and confirmed what NumbersGuy stated. The fall season does NOT count in the ratings; only the Spring and Summer.
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at Baiz's record this morning. I was wondering if the DNTRP he generated in the HTA season put him at a high enough starting point for him to be in jeopardy of "striking out" twice in one year. That would be impressive.
ReplyDeleteNumbers Guy, thanks for the info. The reason that I think that knowing whether spring match count towards NTRP is that some teams like to play up in the spring. This leads to many more matches between players at different levels which I don't think that the computer is equipped to deal with very well.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I was a 4.0 who played 4.5 in the spring and fall. I was bumped last year despite lousy 4.0 results during the summer. I suspect that the prime reason that I was bumped was that I happened to beat a 5.0 in a spring doubles match. (In hindsight, I wonder if the 5.0 tanked that match.)
If I had know that spring results counted, I'd probably just play 4.0 leagues in the spring to avoid situations exactly like that.
If the spring match results count, HTA should move to spring setup in which league winners qualify for city playoffs in the summer. I know that there are some logistical issues with this, but other cities seem to manage it.
ReplyDeleteOnce nice byproduct would be that players would tend to play more at level.
When I played up in Dallas the fall season win would get you an automatic playoff bid so the competition was much better that here in Houston during the season. It would be cool if we did it here so you'd see less tanking and less people playing up that really shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteZachary put on a show last night!
ReplyDeleteYour right. Watching Zachary's serve getting broken was H I L L A R I O U S !! Great Show.
ReplyDeleteHe should have hit those guys in the face. The guy is way too nice.
ReplyDeleteWas that the one game you watched?
ReplyDelete5-1 and 5-0 leads, sounds like pretty nice ratings management to me! Lakeside seems to be making an art of that this year.
ReplyDeleteWho is good enough in this league to tank games. I would love to hear it.
ReplyDeleteApparently, some players on Lakeside's roster are capable of tanking games b/c they are just that good.
ReplyDeleteHow does Moser dominate the previous 5.0 league in singles, and not be 5.0.
ReplyDeleteI am
ReplyDeleteBecause the so-called 5.0 league is composed of scrubs.
ReplyDeleteSo is the 4.5 league.
ReplyDeleteHow come no talk about Hurricanes? They look pretty good on paper. Do they have a shot at making a Sectionals run in 4.5's?
ReplyDeleteLots of talent in the 4.5 league this year, just not concentrated into super teams. Noho going straight to Sectionals is weak.
ReplyDeleteWhat talent? Out of all 19 4.5 Houston teams with current rosters I don't think you can assemble a team that would be comparable to Dallas, San Antonio or Austin. I would say there is a lot of parity in Houston 4.5 but I think it is a big stretch to say there is a lot of talent.
ReplyDeleteI could make one to win it without dropping a set!
ReplyDeleteKeep dreaming dude. Who would your all star lineup could be that would beat Branch, Torres or AustinWild?
ReplyDeleteMoser
ReplyDeleteMedford
Hess
Nguyen
Is a good start. Would be pretty easy to assemble doubles.
Moser 5.0 league?? Must have been a singles league that no one played in. He would get taken to the cleaners by the likes of Arun Nanjappa or Alim Mambetov and any of the other 5.0's playing league. He might have a chance against some of the 4.5's playing up or Self Rates who are not truly 5.0's. As far as 4.5 goes, it it true that Houston 4.5 is much weaker this year than in a long, long time. The NOHO Team will be the saving grace for H-town, and will be able to compete with Dallas, Austin, & San Antonio. H-town ought to be proud. We always back up our statements by results. The other cities talk big every year, but rarely seem to break through. Every summer the blogs say it's going to be Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio, but H-town or NOHO (North Houston) always seems to step up big. There's no doubt that all 3 are always very good and this could be one of their break through years, but don't count NOHO out. They are already far deeper than any HTA Team just coasting to Sectionals, and they haven't even completed their all star roster. Whomever represents HTA will either be a rookie team or if the D-bags go... it'll be their 2nd appearance. The NOHO Team can not only play numerous guys at either singles or doubles, but they all have a lot of Sectional and some National experience. The HTA Teams have very little of that, plus they do not have the depth to rest their stronger players in the August Dallas heat. They must play them every round or face early elimination. NOHO will represent H-town well this summer and if they got all of their horses up there healthy has a chance to advance again.
ReplyDeleteApparently the poster at 3:20pm has no idea what the competition is like at Sectionals. The 4.5 singles comp at Sectionals is the likes of players such as: Chad Case, David Wanja, Ted Pumma, Hasker, Dibuas. Players like Lock,which everyone is complaining about might not win all his matches at Sectionals. So, which one of these guys (in 3:20pm poster's comments) can hang with these guys? I am not sure who will be this year's studs, but Dallas, Austin, SA, and H-town or NOHO always find them, hide them well until Sectionals, and then slug it out up in the Big "D". Who are the singles studs this year Greg?
ReplyDeleteAny top 20 NCAA D-1 player like lock will will ALL his matches at 4.5 or 5.0 period...get real~
ReplyDeleteNot so fast 9:18pm poster. Lock most likely would win all matches at 4.5, but not hands down. And at 5.0, Lock wouldn't have beat Jason Pieters nor is assured of beating Alim Mambetov. If the elite 4.5 players are true 5.0 plus players, then the elite 5.0 are truly 5.5 to open players. You still don't get that this rating problem is a national USTA issue, not just local. Unless you have been to Sectionals & Nationals & have seen the talent there, it's hard to comprehend. Trust me, Lock is not the only former D1 player in the nation that has bypassed the checks & balances. Ha-ha! What checks & balances.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you guys talking about??? Yes, the depth and talent at 4.5 and 5.0 in Texas is great but if you think Lock would lose (or almost lose) to these guys, you are kidding your selves. This isn't Wanja sneaking into 4.5 after playing at Lamar or even somebody that occasionally played #3 doubles for a major program. This is a guy that played #1 in the big ten and had a good record. It's a different level.
ReplyDeleteJason Pieters played #2 in the ACC. I think it's pretty clear that he was the best 5.0 in the state last year. Lock would decimate anyone in 4.5 and just about everyone in 5.0.
ReplyDeleteOmon beat Jason Pieters last week in the finals of the beer league.
ReplyDeleteLock played #1 in the Big 10 with a win over GTs #1....head to head proof that he is better that pieters
ReplyDeleteHow do I get into the beer league?
ReplyDeleteBring beer.
ReplyDeletewhen and where?
ReplyDeleteLock this and Lock that. WHO CARES ???
ReplyDeleteWe care because Lock is a cheater. Self-rate 4.5 is unbelieveable. MPTC should truly be ashamed and I can't believe that noone has protested.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Red will, unless he can recruit him for next year.
ReplyDeleteNo one cares about Lock. He'll be playing this week and things will go on like scheduled.
ReplyDeleteAny Predictions for the Lakeside vs Deucebags match up this week?
Borkop vs Hess
Nguyen vs Bui
Dugas/Tran vs Connell/Wright
Ballesteros/Huffman vs Vu/Zachary
Dugas/Morales vs Huynh/Nguyen
Those would be some good matches.
Deuce Bags line 3 doubles is not as good as most 4.0 playoff teams.
ReplyDeleteWhat, Ward doesn't make top lineup?
ReplyDeleteIf Ward plays, Duecebags win 3-2. If Ward is benched, Duecebags 4-1.
Ha Ha. Seriously though...Ward is about half the player he was a year or two ago. He was decent then. 4.0 is just around the corner for that guy. Its tough to get old.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt his ability is hovering around the 4.0 level but his mouth continues to run itself at the ATP-level.
ReplyDeleteIf Ward's talk was as good as his game he would be at Roger F.'s level.
ReplyDeleteLocke needs to be DQd. How come it hasn't been done yet.
ReplyDeleteYesterday's 2:28 poster said it best. Lock's team is not a threat to go to citywide and many coaches would want to have him on their 4.5 team in the future. If his being DQ'ed had an impact on the top teams, then it would be done. Since it's not, we'll see where this lottery pick will end up next summer.
ReplyDeleteThat's just plain stupid. It will end up being a situation similar to Trent Broach. He was on Jedi Knights at the time I think and no one bothered to DQ him. Then when he ended up on Red's team everyone started whining. If you don't say something now then shut your big fat mouth next year when Locke is on the Canes and they're going to Nats.
ReplyDeleteHe can still be DQ'ed next year; fraudulently self-rating doesn't have a 1-year statute of limitations just because he becomes a C at YE10. Red wouldn't take that risk.
ReplyDeleteHave any of you guys thought about he may be playing just for fun, that he didn’t self rate 4.5, that he doesn’t want to compete or anything like that. And, that he is really good, but he is not in this to win anything, that he just want to play tennis. You guys worry to much. Seriously!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is the dumbest statement I've ever seen on here which is saying a lot. Why the hell would anyone who is 2 years out of major D1 tennis play 4.5 league for FUN??? That is like a true 4.5 playing 3.0 tennis for fun. This "oh shucks, he just wants to get out and play some tennis" crap is a weak defense of outright cheating.
ReplyDeleteIf he didn't self-rate 4.5 then his captain did and should be ashamed. It's not this grey area work the system crap- it is CHEATING. He should be DQ'd and banned for a couple years from USTA league play of any level if he self-rated. If his captain did it then he should be the one suspended.