Here's a quick look at 4.5 Sectionals, assuming all rosters stay as is and that all the heavyweights make the trip:
Flight 1 Teams
Austin
NETX
Wild San Antonio
Ft. Worth
To me, the Austin league was not as strong at the top this year as in past years, though it was extremely deep. Anthony Tatu has become one of the premier captains in the state, annually producing competitive teams. His team this year doesn't seem to have the overwhelming singles strength necessary. In his biggest match this year, he used Caskey and Acosta, but expect Atherton to get a lot of action in Dallas. Bucco and Tatu will probably man one doubles spot, and Chris McDaniel and longtime Austin fixture Alan Williams have been untouchable thus far this year. Still, this team doesn't seem to have the strength to dominate and will have to squeak out its victories.
Alann Torres' San Antonio squad has got to be considered the favorite in this flight. Estevan San Miguel is a quality singles player. Sundy Muniz and Stephan Poole have dominated the 4.5 tournament doubles circuit. Daniel Cambon has a really nice game and he and Matt Mungia will be tough to beat. Who plays #2 singles for them? Spencer Read has played in their big matches. Chance Morgan is eligible. Jonathan Hartwell plays Open tournaments but I know nothing about him. Torres, Vasquez and Galvan will all see action as well.
I don't know much/anything about the Fort Worth team this year. I notice that they have a really solid singles player in David Rascoe (he handled Sectionals regular Rob Hurley rather routinely). Adam Mackie has also been solid in singles for them. John Singleton splits time between 5.0 and 4.5, usually playing line 1 doubles and almost always winning. Ditto Jason Moore. George Rodriguez is a tall guy with a pretty nice game who beat me pretty routinely in the Combo a few years ago, but that's about all the first hand knowledge I have of this team. Perhaps someone can chime in with some more info.
Chris Leach brings his Tyler team back to Dallas for its annual trip. Unfortunately, I don't see them having much/any chance to do any damage this year.
Flight 2 Teams
Houston
Lubbock
Waco
Wild Austin
Regular readers and locals know all about the Titans. It's certainly not the most talented team Ken Douds has ever had. Antoine Ford will have to continue his hot streak. Simon Jim is a solid number 2. John Day must revert to his regular season form for this team to do well, and Douds, Marco and the rest must ride their hot streak.
Lubbock has just 9 bodies on their roster. Mel McRee, who led his 4.0 team to Nationals in '08, will try to draw on his Sectionals experience. Wilson Wicks also has Nationals experience, at the 4.5 level, where he went 4-0 with Mike Davis' Austin Wild squad in 2007. Michael Hastings is a self-rate who's been playing singles.
Waco doesn't appear to be very strong. They have a bunch of bump-ups from some of Bill Sanders high quality 4.0 team. James Westbrook was really tough in 4.0 singles, but will struggle in the upper division. Luedtke and Rivera will be a tough doubles line, and both are capable of playing singles. Waco added two late imports from Dallas in Jean Nguyen (another guy I lost to in the combo a few years ago...I sense a pattern developing) and Johan Mudsam, both of whom were high level 4.0 players in the last couple of years.
Aptly named Austin Wild fills out the flight. Most of you know of the losses captain Davis has suffered due to disqualification this year, but his roster was deep enough to remain a factor. I would probably still rate his team the favorite in this bracket. He's got a bunch of guys with Sectionals and/or Nationals experience on this team. Tim Klitch is among the best doubles guys at 4.5. Former Houstonian Kevin Lemke is a talented singles guy if he's been playing regularly. Joshua Torrez may be the key...last year he had an up and down season but rounded into form at Sectionals with big singles wins over Hilderbrand and David B. Scott Sevin will also see some singles action. Fred Schlotterback and Patrick Seidensticker have had a lot of Sectionals success in the past as well.
Flight 3 Teams
Dallas
Wild Houston
Abilene
SETX
Rusty Branch has a juggernaut this year. He was not even remotely tested in Dallas. Rusty is on the sidelines this season, but the cupboard is far from bare. 5.0 drop down Mike Kelly (he's been playing league at LEAST since '97) will be tough to beat in singles or doubles. Eugene Davis hasn't missed a beat since moving up from 4.0, dominating over the last two years. Brandon Underwood was a top-flight junior and looks impressive in his youtube videos. Dustin Viktorin can play some singles. The names go on and on: Slezak/Williams, Kiron/Huffman, Cole Frink, Rafael Ledezma (another Kelly-like 5.0 bumpdown) There are several quality players I haven't even named. Luckily for other teams, they don't give extra points for depth.
Obviously, Freeman's Hurricane II squad will have its hands full with Dallas. Sarosh Ahmed and Robert Plummer will be truly tested up there. Regent/Li have tons of Sectionals experience, and the rest of the team has had success up there, but mostly at the 4.0 level. Second place in the flight is doable, however.
Abilene is always a team to keep your eye on. Trance Rosenquist and Adam Cherry are quality holdovers from past teams. Kurt Wasmer was 2-0 in doubles at Sectionals last year, as was Brian Rainwater. Erich Bein is an intriguing add...went to state with Abilene High and is listed as a 3 star recruit on tennisrecruiting.net. Lost to local junior stud Jose Martinez (who is very impressive to watch) by a 5 and 4 score. Has a win over Robin Chou, who was a cause celebre on the Austin blog earlier this year. I haven't checked his junior ranking to see if he's truly eligible as I'm just going through the rosters right now.
The Southeast Texas team will be a non-factor.
Flight 4 Teams
Amarillo
NOHO
Valley
San Antonio
This group has been much-discussed already.
Amarillo has a few nice players, but is stuck in the wrong group. George Jennings was solid in singles at Sectionals last year, beating Brent James and losing only to Hasker. Shannon Burdett has been on a team that went to Nationals, but that was in the last century. He's still capable, however. Luis Zavala was 3-0 at Sectionals last year in doubles.
The NOHO team is comprised of most of the Houston area 4.5 heavy hitters. Benzon and Freeman have assembled some talented players, headed by mystery superstar Greg Dwyer. Okay, that was a joke. Seriously, as a member of the team and co-captain I'm not gonna' analyze this team...y'all know who's who already.
The Valley has an intriguing roster and is not a team that should be taken lightly. Frank Vos has an almost spotless record going back to 2004. I believe he may have lost only one match in that period of time, but has not been truly tested at Texas Sectionals. (he did go to Sectionals in Oregon I believe) Kareem Abdullah played a season here in Houston and by the end of the year was playing extremely high level tennis. I believe he played collegiately at UT-Pan Am if memory serves. Ivan Leal has at least been a finalist in the 4.5 division of the Coke (can't remember if he's won it) and has been a quality player for quite some time. Crisanto Ramirez plays/played for Division III power Trinity. I think Derek Sandoval played Juco tennis.
As has been mentioned before, Mike Miller's San Antonio team has a wealth of talent. Glenn Barton may be in the Ward Jannuzzi age bracket, but he's still extremely dangerous and I would expect he'll play singles in the big matches and get rested when possible. As someone mentioned, there are seven teaching pros on this team, so there's not going to be a weak spot in the lineup. Eric White, Mark Hilderbrand and John Trautmann can all play singles as well. As can Alejandro Sanchez. Ewing, Anderson, Miller, Arringdale and several others could be in the lineup at any time. This is another really deep team with a ton of options. Also, there's not a self-rate in the bunch, which is nice to see in this day and age.
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2-3 players look like Protests
ReplyDeleteEric Bein is a clear cut grievance waiting, he has signed with ACU, a Top D2 school and should be 5.5. See Clayton Morgan and Sahal Taweel, and where Trent Broach should have been, if he played league anywhere but Houston. Also he is no different than Luke Trautman who moved to 5.5 after signing with Incarnate Word
Kareem Abdullah played D1 at UTPA and is under 30 = 5.5 or 5.0 minimum, but again David Wanja was allowed to play while playing at Lamar.
Crisanto Ramirez is borderline having played at D3 power Trinity in 2009, probably should be a 5.0.
Kareem played league in Houston in the past. Should he still have to self rate as a 5.5?
ReplyDeleteEric Bein is a sure D'Q.
What about Frankie Allison from Waco?
It's too hard to cheat nowadays. *$^&$^&# Google and this blog!!!!
ReplyDeleteKareem should not matter, because he still had to self-rate after sitting for 5 years and the questionnaire asks if played college and what level, so could have appealed it, but he has an "S" still.
ReplyDeleteAlso Abilene looks tough if Bein is not protested, then they also have Aston who was successful at 5.0 in 2003 or so.
Allinson is a toss-up, he could be protested as playing at a Top 20 DIII school.
great insight. when will the 4.0 forecast be out?
ReplyDeleteThat my friends is a preview!
ReplyDeleteNo self-rates on SA Miller or OC Branch.
Miller and Branch are smart just like Freeman and Benzon, self rates are on mixed teams or "tanking" matches in tourney play. Guess what? Computer ratings for the following league.
ReplyDeleteSo SA Torres FALL team was the 2nd place team according to SA's wacky playoff system. Does that mean his wildcard team is only comprised of players that were on his FALL roster?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the criteria for being eligible for sectionals? Is it at least one match, non default?
ReplyDeleteTorress must have his Fall Team at Sectionals. His Spring team is the one with San Miguels and Morgan. They will not be there and if they are those will be DQ's.That is straight from our league coordinator. As for his fall team be ready for Cambon to play singles. Regardless they have zero depth. Make them play a couple tough matches and they will be toast.
ReplyDelete2 matches, 1 can be a default for Sectionals. 3 matches no defaults for Nationals
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Red will DQ them.
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case, Torres fall team will not be the favorite in that flight. Good news for Austin.
ReplyDeleteMiller has already protested all the Houston guys. We are just waiting for a response back. If Miller really thinks that he has a shot at winning this year then it will be settled on the court with his 7 teaching pro roster. All miller does is bitch and moan about players. How many times has Miller been to Nationals?
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard Miller bitch and moan about players yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that somebody finally checks out some of these NOHO players.
And none from Houston complains about players......
ReplyDeleteBenzon's team eliminates Miller's team pretty much every year. No wonder he is bitter.
ReplyDeleteMiller loses deciding match in 2009 to Houston in the finals.
ReplyDeleteMiller loses deciding match in 2008 to Noho in pool play.
Millet loses deciding match in 2007 to Houston in pool play.
Key for SA Miller winning this year in 2010 is to not put himself in the line up.
Miller is within his right to protest all the players he wants. Whatever will help him in advancing to a Sectionals title is what he's gonna do. I've heard him rant on an on this year about how he wants to beat Houston sooo bad. Well Mr Miller this is your year to shine.
ReplyDeleteCredit to Miller for basically bringing the same group of guys to sectionals each year.
ReplyDeleteHouston/NOHO load up the self-rates each year to stay ahead.
Yes, last year's Houston National team was "loaded" up with self-rates, if you call 1 being loaded up. Miller just brings the same group of teaching pros to sectionals each year, but still can't get it done.
ReplyDeleteSour grapes.
And NOHO doesn't bring their teaching pros and college players? This blog is a little bias with Greg being co-captain of the NOHO team. Wasn't Greg the captain when he brought someone in not on the roster to play for someone else?
ReplyDeleteDoes Kern now live in Houston?
ReplyDeleteWasn't Red on that same team when Greg brought in a non roster player? Hmmmm.... interesting how certain dogs lay together get up with the same flees.
ReplyDeleteUh-oh, here come the "they all look the same" comments....
ReplyDeleteThey don't look alike. Red is Philo and Fat, Greg is White and Skinny.
ReplyDeleteToo funny. Can we get back to league discussions. Obviously we know San Antonio,Noho,Dallas are the favorites in bottom half. Whose the favorites to be in the semis out of brackets 1 and 2?
ReplyDeleteCaptain Miller just needs to beat Noho this year so we can move on. It's getting really old. All this ranting for a trip to Tucson,Arizona. What a boring Nationals venue.
ReplyDelete3:45 brings up a good point and a legitimate protest for Miller to post against NOHO. NoHo has Vernon from Nederland, Mills from Hamshire, and Kern from Ft Worth. They have too many players outside the 50 mile limit. And I'm not sure they are allowed to have more than 1 player. I'm not sure they wouldn't be considered in the same group as Houston as far as how many players they can draw from outside of 50 miles. I believe NoHo and Ft Worth are both in this category being attached to major metros.
ReplyDeleteNot sure that having Kern,Mills and Vernon can help NOHO to beat San Antonio,Dallas or Austin. Although, it gives Miller one more thing to protest so why not. I still don't understand how you can have 7 teaching pros on one roster. San Antonio will be giving a lot of clinics in Dallas next weekend, for anyone interested .
ReplyDeleteTeaching pro does not equal good
ReplyDeleteAnd Freeman and Benzon are not stupid, I'm sure they have measured the distance for the various players and have only what they are allowed to have. They both likely drove the distance themselves in order to not have someone protested. Haven't you guys figured out yet they WILL NOT put anyone on their roster that will be protested with a possible DQ. DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteok Red relax! But just in case I'll protest.
ReplyDeleteHaha I've never seen so much whining off the court before. Almost all the accusations you see on the blog are pure fiction. Only one thing is for certain and that is to win at sectionals you have to take in all the negative comments that comes with a winning team. No matter which team wins this year they'll have a few guys out of level.
ReplyDeleteSan Antonio proposed line up:
ReplyDelete1. Glenn Barton
2. Hildebrand
1. White/Ewing
2. Arringdale/Anderson
3. Meyers/Vogl
other options are Del Campo,Sanchez,Trautmann and Miller
Just try and beat this line up.
Please let Miller play!!!
ReplyDeleteMiller should play Benzon for the deciding line.
ReplyDeleteIf that's the lineup then I like NOHO 4-1.
ReplyDeleteWhat is NOHO's line up that would beat SA 4-1?
ReplyDeleteBenzon would crush Miller at the buffet line!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice words. I would agree that San Antonio is the favorite in our group, but Fort Worth will give them a fight, I'm sure. My team is pretty much all average 4.5 players, no DeKruyff or Valdez on the roster this year. I do think the Austin Wild team has a good shot to make it to Sunday, but in the end I have to go with Branch's team to take it all.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't a line up that would beat San Antonio 4-1.
ReplyDeleteBoth SA singles guys will lose to Thomas and Gururaj regardless of which order they play. So, that's 2-0 right there.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the guys that played on the Houston national team last year are on NOHO- Dibua, Sumrall, Burrman and SA got swept by them in doubles. Also Mills/Vernan beat Arringdale/Ewing at sectionals last year if I remember. Will have to look that up but I think it happened. So I see no reason that NOHO would not get 2 doubles lines as well.
NOHO wins 4-1. You heard it here first.
Anthony:
ReplyDeleteThe SA Team will not be as strong as you might expect as they must use the players from the Fall Team and not Spring which should help you guys.
I predict: Austin, WC Austin, Dallas, and SA.
Group 4 is tough because the Valley is also a sleeper looking at some of their players, so they could surprise both NOHO and SA if the winds of fate are blowing. Also could see Abilene being the sleeper much like Waco was 2 years ago, but only if all their players survive any protests.
The sage has spoken and I can see the logic in that prediction.
ReplyDeleteThis is all great stuff. First of all in response to all the posts about Millers Teams losing through the years we have no excuse. We just got beat. Last years Houston Team was very solid. Sounds like this year they are better. On the bright side we are stronger as well. Looking forward to it. Sounds like we are going to lose 4-1 though...bummer. As for Miller and his protests. I think it's great he does it. Someone has to regulate this stuff or it gets out of control. All I can say about Miller is he is a good guy and all of us are happy to play for him. Best of luck to all of you at Sectionals.
ReplyDeleteHilderbrand
Based on the predictions, everyone but NOHO and Branch should stay home.
ReplyDeleteHildebrand is a good guy and a great competitor. Watching him play last year in the semis and finals was a tribute to how mentally tough he is. Team Miller has the most talent by far of any team and they're hungry to win. Noho will have their hands full and I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 3-2 victory either way.
ReplyDeleteMiller is just as dirty as the other guys. He got Eric White, a division III All American who lied on his self-rate form to get a 4.0 rating on his roster.
ReplyDeleteHilderbrand is a great competitor, but h line calls are questionable. Watched it during the Masters event against Gound.
ReplyDeleteI should just let it go...but I NEVER brought in a nonroster player and would always be vehemently opposed to it. I'm not a saint by any means, but that crosses way over the line in my book.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I WILL plead guilty to being white and skinny.
Eric White won the Alamo in singles without dropping a set and he also won the doubles. I don't think anyone at sectionals will be able to beat this guy.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me how NoHoh's singles players compare to say Dixon Ogu ? I know they are going to be great.
ReplyDeleteHilderbrand
I have not seen Thomas play but Dixon would wipe the floor with Bharath and Odion and Sumrall.
ReplyDeleteHold on, where did Dixon Ogu come into this? Is he a 4.5 now or are we trying to benchmark Femi? Cuz there is no F'ing way Dixon is a 4.5
ReplyDeleteI have played Dixon before. I'm just trying to get a feel for what we are looking at. I can tell you 3 years ago when I played David B. he was stronger than Dixon. Atleast in that match he was. Whatever I don't care I keep hearing how good they are. Just trying to gauge how good.
ReplyDeleteDickson would not be higher than a 5.0. He doesn't even play singles anymore. He's a really good doubles player. Noho's singles players are about the same level as a Glenn Barton and Eric White. I don't care what anyone says, If Miller uses Barton and White, NO ONE Will be able to sweep the singles from them. Both Barton and White are easily 5.0 material. I wonder why San Antonio doesn't have a 5.0 team this year? Maybe because they're all on Miller's 4.5 roster.
ReplyDeleteMark a good gauge would be Thomas Daniels or Louis Strawn from the 2008 team. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteThat does help. Thomas works for me and is out here right now. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThe NOHO players are not the same level as Ogu. They are good but definitely not that good, so your team should do well against them.
ReplyDeleteWould you consider Thomas Daniels a ringer in 4.5? Most people would. I think he's got a lot of game,but that's all you see at 4.5 Nationals.
ReplyDeleteYes Thomas would be a ringer. He can ball.
ReplyDeleteI have been an opposing Sectional captain lining up teams against Miller for a few years now. In my dealings with him he has always been an honest player, stand up guy as captain, friendly, and above board. All I can say is "well played Mouser" in getting these guys all computer 4.5 rated. I sure would like to see that Miller/Benzon showdown. If I can make it, you know I will. Who's gonna bring the popcorn? It will be a freaking war!
ReplyDeleteWhile I am at it, and because I know he reads this blog, I might as well throw my hat in the ring early, so to speak, and ask Kern if he wants to come play on Austinwild in 2011?
ReplyDeleteThis is the way it works with Kern:
ReplyDeleteAll captains who want to be under consideration, please send your proposed 2011 rosters by March 1. He will then decide what roster looks the strongest and make a decision which team to join.
Said decision may or may not come in the form of a one hour prime-time special on a major cable network.
Sincerely,
World Wide Wes
as agent for Jason Kern
LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHe's a great player and great guy, but he may be more of a Bosh-level or Amare-level free agent than Lebron-level.
An aging Gary Payton trying to get a 4.5 Nationals to put on the mantle next to the 4.0 Nationals.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts or predictions on the 5.0 Houston team? They look quite weaker than last year's team. Looks to me like Austin might have it this year.
ReplyDeleteFort Worth on paper has the best team in 5.0's. Austin would be the 2nd best. Houston has an outside shot of making some noise. Most of the guts on the Met Toney roster will break down in the heat.
ReplyDeleteThe team to watch is the Houston Open team. That's an all star squad.
Who is on the open team?
ReplyDeleteThomas Daniels is a 5.5, he won National 25's
ReplyDeleteThomas works for who now? we are looking for him!
ReplyDeleteHe works for me in San Antonio. Annemarie Tennis Center
ReplyDeleteHilderbrand
Boy there's no love for 4.0. Greg posted a real nice review of 4.0 Sectionals and there have only been 6 posts all day. There was more interest in Doud's wife.
ReplyDelete"We are looking for him"
ReplyDelete- Freeman still has time to sneak him on the NOHO rosters
Regarding Eric White and blaming Miller, if you actually look it was Vogl who had White self-rate, granted he lied, but for you Houstonites it is par for the course, so pot meet kettle (Wanja, Locke, Broach, Morgan, etc....)
ReplyDeleteNew Ar Hacker needs to get his facts straight. Research those players more closely as well as looking into when self-rate forms came into existence and the fact that you don't have to fill them out when you enter a tournament.
ReplyDeletefinally someone says it
ReplyDeleteplease I know the facts clear enough and regardless of the self-rates going into play.
ReplyDeleteWanja was playing D1 tennis when he went into 4.5
Broach had just finished playing at ACU when he went 4.5
Morgan was a #1 Junior in Texas and played at SWT
Locke just finished at NW.
So in your feeble little mind these guys belonged on 4.5?
I asked him if he would play with you 4:59 and he said no he would like to aim a little higher.I told him you have other players his level on the team but he just started laughing.
ReplyDeleteHilderbrand
AR Hacker is right, but you left out Billy Heim, who self-rated 4.5 the same year he played D1 tennis for Lamar, in Beaumont. The problem is, the "guidelines" are too broad in some cases and too narrow in others, and are not uniformly enforced. In fact, I don't know if
ReplyDeleteUSTA considers their guidelines as the equivalent of enforceable rules. For example, a D3 player under age 36 is a 4.5, according to USTA, but there are lots of these guys that are 4.0, or even lower. On the other hand, many are higher, although the majority are probably 4.5. The guidelines are just too broad to be nationally enforceable, in my opinion, and maybe that's why they aren't enforced everywhere. USTA should clarify just how much authority these guidelines have, so we will all know. Are they just "suggestions" with no enforceability? Tell us please. And they need to revisit these, because there are so many exceptions that they may not be enforceable on that basis alone.
I think more grievances would be filed if the protests were anonymous to the offending captain. The name of the captain who is protesting should be known to Sectional Office, but from there it is anonymous. I hate walking around with a bullseye on my back for forcing others to play by the rules all for a stupid towel or pen set or whatever USTA gets their best deal on for a national award.
ReplyDeleteLooking at Thomas Daniels record he should be a 4.5? His losses to Trent Broach prove that he's not a 5.5. I hear the San Antonio open team is looking for players. Thomas should try out. Judging from his record in 5.5 league he should just stay home.
ReplyDeleteHey AR Hacker,
ReplyDeleteWhy all the hate on Houston?
Did chance Morgan get his self rating in Houston? (He got his self rating in mxd in corpus christi)
Did Billy Heim get his self rating in Houston?
(He got his self rating playing in Louisiana for a team there.)
I give you credit for Broach and Lock, but shouldn't the Captain who self rated them be punished? Who was that?
As for Wanja you really need to get your facts straight before opening your mouth again. Wanja generated a tournament rating in 2004 and played in 2005 as a 4.5 tournament rated player.
In 2004 Wanja played for Texas Lutheran a D3 school then transferred to Lamar in the Fall of 2005. He didn't illegally self rate that year and regardless of all your criticism you should take heed that you can be wrong like any one of us. It's okay. No matter what you post we'll still read it, but your starting to lose some of your credibility.
That's funny 11:13. I can't even pass that along that post is so stupid. Who cares.
ReplyDeleteTHE BEST OF 4.5 HOUSTONS TENNIS WAS HELD AT SUGAR CREEK TONIGHT AND IT WAS LIKE HOW IT SUPPOSED TO BE, COMPETITION AND GREAT FUN, THANKS TO ALL, ALAIN, MICHAEL, KEN AND FREEMAN FOR PUTTING IT TOGETHER AND TO ALL THEIR PLAYERS FOR COMING OUT.
ReplyDeleteYes Greg, I almost laughed as hard as you did when I read that post. I really enjoyed the Gary Peyton comment but he had skills at one point so I don't think that is accurate. I'm thinking I'm more the Kyle Korver of this year's free agency. Just another slow white boy who sees the court very occasionally just to rest some others. However, if World Wide Wes can get me a hour long special where I can refer to myself in the third person - sign me up!
ReplyDeleteAs far as Jason (AR Hacker), I find it hilarious when you say things like playing for a "stupid towel or pen set". I have been as obsessed as most about silly NTRP level tennis but you are obviously as competitive as anyone to spend time researching a whole state you don't even compete in anymore. So please don't patronize the rest of the people who spend a lot of time trying to win a stupid pen, it's a little ridiculous.
On another note, I think it is great when people protest because that keeps the league as legitimate as possible (although it will never be totally right).
Finally, Davis I would love to play for Austin Wild some day. Hawthorne talks about the great bunch of guys there. Plus, it would give people more ammunition to call me a "league whore".
Looking forward to watching some good tennis.
Kern
Bobo, is your NoHo 5.0 team going to attend Sectionals?
ReplyDeleteKern team list:
ReplyDeleteFort Worth
Houston
Abilene
Dallas
NOHO
The good people of Austin have to be wondering why they get no love in the Kenny Lofton-esque city jumping.
to 1:03am
ReplyDeletedid ford, jim and sarosh all show up? was there any friction?
No friction at Sugar Creek last night, just a lot of fun and good tennis. Ford, Jim and Ahmed did not come, but 20 other guys did. This is how tennis should be. You try and kick each other @sses during the summer season, then get together and enjoy some fun tennis afterward. Nice to see members from 4 different teams play together and get along.
ReplyDeleteHow come I wasn't invited? Damn elitists!
ReplyDeleteDon't misunderstand the intent. Call it a pre-recruiting party for Hurricanes 2011.
ReplyDeleteNo doubts Freeman has a spreadsheet of attendees and is polling folks for thoughts/feelings.
Damn, why wasn't I being recruited and invited to this party? I gotta talk to my agent and get some air time like Kern.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it was a recruiting party. I was there as well :P
ReplyDeleteOk guys ... We are running 5 courts Sunday afternoon at 5:00 and 6:30 at Sugar Creek Country Club. Again on Tuesday at 7:00 and 8:30. The intent is for the Titans and Hurricanes 3 to get ready for sectionals (as well as Noho and any of Bobo's guys to join us).
ReplyDeleteThis is an open invite for anyone thats interested and wants to come to join us. All the beer is on me! If you want to play (make sure u have a partner) ... call/text me at 281-705-7942 ... I'm sure I'll have a few extra spots ... I need some good singles guys as well.
And Btw, thanks to Alan and Michael for bringing guys out last night.
Kenlee Douds
Grievance results are in!
ReplyDeleteLock = 5.5
Femi = 4.5
Bharath = 4.5
NOHO must be considered the favorite.
Miller
Good luck to all the Texas teams. Whichever is the most physically/mentally fit to win in Arizona has all our support. It's been too long since the National Championship returned to the Lone Star State (2006, right?). Bring it back home, will you boys?
ReplyDeleteI think Femi vs. Glenn Barton and Bharath vs. White or Hilderbrand would be 2 great singles matches.
ReplyDeleteWhomever plays Hilderbrand should start and finish the match with a line judge at hand.
ReplyDeleteHey Miller,
ReplyDeleteDid you protest the Valley guys too? Seems to me Kareem Abdullah and Crisanto Ramirez are a slam dunk for a D'Q. Abdullah played for UT Pan Am and Ramirez played for Trinity. don't you think it would be a good idea to protest them? Or do you just hate on Houston self rates? Since valley is in your flight it may be a good idea?
Looks like Eric Bein did not survive for Abilene.
ReplyDeleteDid Miller protest Bein too? I love it!! Keep em coming Miller...
ReplyDeletei'm confused. i thought a player was suppose to declare which team he is going to play for before the playoffs. Antoine Ford was registered for Noho and Titans. During the city playoffs, he was still playing matches for Noho. Is that breaking any USTA rules?
ReplyDelete1001685267 7/9/2010 Michael L. Mitchell
Derek Scott Hillman Red Benzon
Antoine T. Ford 7-6, 6-4 #2 Doubles 4.5
1001685277 7/17/2010 Antoine T. Ford
Default
6-0, 6-0 #2 Singles 4.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Championship Results Section District Area League Flight
USTA/TEXAS TEXAS HOUSTON 2010 (USTA) Houston Men Thursday Evening 4.5 Men
Championship Level Div/NTRP/Gender
4.5 Men Flight Playoff Flight Adult / 4.5 / M
Match ID Match Date Winning Player Opponent Score Match Type
2298851 7/1/2010 Antoine T. Ford
Emmett McCool
6-4, 6-4 #1 Singles
2298855 7/8/2010 Antoine T. Ford
Robert Plummer
6-3, 3-6, 1-0 #2 Singles
2298857 7/17/2010 Antoine T. Ford
Edwin John Hess
6-1, 7-5 #1 Singles
2298859 7/18/2010 Antoine T. Ford
Pio Davila
6-4, 6-3 #1 Singles
2298862 7/18/2010 Antoine T. Ford
Hung P. Nguyen
6-3, 6-7, 1-0 #1 Singles
Ford will be playing for titans at sectionals. Those matches for Noho are irrelevant. Ford declared his sectional team would be the Houston Thursday team. No rules have been broken.
ReplyDeleteFord declared for the Houston team, but that does not prevent him from playing regular season matches in NOHO. The NOHO matches are not championship level like the city playoffs. He cannot play for NOHO at Sectionals, but can play with NOHO if they make it to Nationals.
ReplyDeletedon't you have to declare before city-playoffs instead of sectionals?
ReplyDeletethat's crazy, i guess someone has found a loophole in the system
ReplyDeleteSame situation happened in Dallas last week. Jean Nguyen played DCC playoffs and was registered on Waco's team that advanced to sectionals.
ReplyDeleteLast time Ford played sectionals in 07, he lost to Austin Wild. I'm sure he's excited to get a chance to play them again.
ReplyDeleteMitch Aston is as big a ringer as any in 4.5 this year. Top 5 Texas Junior, then top D3 All American.
ReplyDeletefunny that a guys bio saying he played Jr US Open still warrants a 4.5 rating, that is just awesome.
ReplyDeletethis whole system has collapsed. 5 years ago it used to be a 25yr olds and above now it is a race to the high schools to see we can find. Our state makes a mockery of the system. It is shame as many want to compete honestly.Yet people being added last minute and hiding just to play sectionals is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteI guess the last poster has never been to a Nationals event. As big as Tx is the other sections like so cal,no cal, and southern push the system to the max. Say what you want, but Tx is below average in league.
ReplyDeleteVery true. As loaded as the Houston team last year that went to Nationals, they did not make it out of their pool. As more and more players come out of the woodwork, it will be up to the captains to help police them. That is how the current system works right now. Accept it and do your part to help it get better.
ReplyDeleteGreg, very dissapointed that I wasn't mentioned as one of the big guns for Abilene (obviously kidding)!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see some old friends in Dallas (Douds, John Day, etc)
Just wanted to give you guys a little scoop on the Bein issue.
We got him rated right at the end of the spring when he had not signed with ACU. At that time he was unsure whether he was going to play college tennis at all much less at a school as good as ACU. (He wanted to play with us because he has several friends on the team and my dad and his dad have known each other for years.)
After he signed with ACU we talked with an NTRP official (not Todd Reid or Tosha Smith) who assured us that this situation had been discussed and that he was cleared to play because we had rated him prior to his signing with ACU.
We are understanding of why he was DQ'd although we are dissapointed. But, that said, from what I've seen of him, I think he would have been a slightly above average 4.5 singles player and would've been happy to see him go .500 at sectionals; certainly not a ringer.
Good look to all the Houston teams and hopefully one of you (or us) will be representing Texas at Nationals again this year.
For all intents and purposes let's say that technically, NOHO is Freeman's official "Houston" team. I know nothing about Jason's 3.5 team this year, or at least there has been no talk of them and usually not mention of 3.5 on the Blog but I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on his chances of bringing home a hat trick (3.5, 4.0, 4.5)
ReplyDeleteSomething occurred to me and maybe it's because I'm a bit slow when it comes to this league stuff, sandbagging, creating "Nationals-bound" teams, but another compelling reason to protest and get rid of these cheaters in the league who aren't honest on their Self Rate profiles is their results will directly affect your rating. If everyone's suspicions are correct and they are manipulating scores, do you want to get bumped up, or worse yet, be precluded from getting bumped down because they have played a "competitive" match against you while along they deliberately lost 4-5 games against you. So, please folks, if you know of someone who is not legitimate, please let's protest them. Furthermore, whenever we see a new name in the league let's do a little investigation on our own. It only takes 2 minutes to do a google search on someone. There is also collegetennisonline.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, if there is a new name in Houston tennis, then they will be researched, recruited then protested if I lose to them. Because they must be out of level!
ReplyDeleteSmitty - Understand that he was self-rated prior to signing w/ ACU and not a blatant disregard for the self-rating guidelines.
ReplyDeleteVery much disagree about his ringer status. Austin Tennis was up in arms when a junior named Robin Chou showed up on a roster. Kid was quickly removed/DQ'd because he was top 30 in the state. Your Eric Bein beat this kid.
You guys still look to have a very strong team.
I think Jason has as good or better chance of winning the Trifecta this weekend. 99 degrees in Dallas this weekend. WHEW
ReplyDeleteI would say probably 50% chance of the trifecta. 60% in 4.5, 70% in 4.0 and 30% in 3.5. He almost pulled off the Nationals trifecta last year, but his teams are not as strong this year.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick either zero or three I'd pick zero. My guess is it'll fall somewhere in between though.
ReplyDeleteRobin Chou was top 20 in the state and in accordance with the guidelines was not eligible to play.
ReplyDeleteI do think all Freeman Teams are looking good. 3.5 and 4.0 have a very good chance winning it all. That being said, his 4.5 team will take it home too.. Go Hurricanes!!!!
ReplyDeleteLast year Freeman was within a couple of points of pulling off a trifecta.This year he will be a long way from winning any sectionals titles. Dallas in 3.5's, Lubbock in 4.0's,San Antonio in 4.5's. Too bad Houston.
ReplyDeleteHEADS UP. For those in the San Antonio Wild Card bracket be on alert. Torres MUST bring his Fall Team which has no depth. Torres tanked in the spring playoffs showing up with only 3 lines and he defaulted after playing 1 point so his team could get the the Wild Card and stay away from NOHO. Only it back fired because he has to bring his Fall team which is WEAK. He has been trying to persuade everyone to let him bring his spring team but he has been denied. If you play his team make sure you know the rosters because he will try to slide them in I'm sure. Great move Torres.
ReplyDeleteAsk for IDs
ReplyDeleteAbilene is being overlooked but they'll be starting every match with a guaranteed 1-0 lead. Erich Bein will not lose to anyone, period. He won't even lose a set. I've been playing Robin Chou for years and now Robin doesn't have much trouble with me, so anyone with a win over Robin isn't going to be tested in Dallas. If Bein can play 4.5 via some loophole in the ratings, then I expect to see a lot of 18 year olds ranked outside the top 20 on 4.5 rosters next year and every year thereafter until they close the loophole. Sectionals will turn into another Boys 18 Superchamps tourney sprinkled with a couple of old hackers puttering around at #3 doubles.
ReplyDeleteDeKruyff
Sorry Juan, Bein has already been DQ'ed so it's a mood subject.
ReplyDeleteAlston is another clear DQ on the Abilene team.
ReplyDeleteThe Houston 3.5 team has the best shot.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Smitty, Bein would only be a .500 singles player at sectionals anyway :)
ReplyDeleteWhere is everyone? 3 days til sectionals and the blog is a ghost town. Looks like Dallas is leading the poll right now. I guess their depth has put them on top. Noho looks like they kept their self rates. Is it enough to compete with San Antonio though? I'm sure Team Miller can't wait to be the spoiler. Can Houston compete with Austin Wild? Is the Fort Worth team the sleeper team in bracket 1? Which team is really a sleeper team? Valley? Abilene? Lubbock? Amarillo?Waco?
ReplyDeleteI don't know but I'm glad I'll be monitoring the action from my sofa. Mercury is going to reach 3 digits on Sunday now.
ReplyDeleteDepth is great. But until they start playing 7 lines, talent wins out.
ReplyDeleteBesides, NOHO looks pretty deep too.
Rumor has it there are some more protests still yet to come.
ReplyDeleteWhose left to protest?
ReplyDeleteSan Antonio Torres can't play Chance Morgan or Estevan San Miguel. They are on his ineligible spring team. Torress knows he does not have a prayer so I bet it becomes tank fest in his matches.
ReplyDeleteTorres always come to a match to tank. I'm really surprised that he wasn't suspended for what he did in San Antonio playoffs. There are other cities who deserve a chance at competing in Dallas.
ReplyDeleteDid Miller protest anyone else?
ReplyDeleteTorres doesn't really have any players in danger of being 5.0. He doesn't need to tank. He actually still has a chance to make Sunday. Doubt he can win it all though.
ReplyDeleteThat was still a classless act Torres pulled in playoffs in San Antonio though.
ReplyDeleteIf you aint cheatin' you aint tryin'
ReplyDeleteDid what Torres pull at city playoffs change the team going to Sectionals? Or were the top 2 teams already determined, and the only thing left was who went as winner and wild card?
ReplyDeleteTorres messed himself up. He tanked thinking he could get his spring team in and avoid NOHO. Well he avoided NOHO but found out only his fall team would qualify. He then asked if he could turn that invite down and then get the invite back for his Spring team to go. It is going to be triple digits and he has no depth especially on that fall team. It is so funny to see him screw his teams chances like that. Truth is his team would have lost regardless. It really would not have mattered. Every time Miller played him this year he never came with his best team.
ReplyDeleteSo if Torres wins the match against Miller then his Spring team advances as San Antonio and Miller's Spring team goes as Wild. If Miller wins his Spring team goes as San Antonio and Torres Spring team stays home. That doesn't make any sense. I don't care how much you dislike Torres, how is that fair?
ReplyDeleteTorres gets penalized for winning the Fall. How come Miller's Spring team advances whether or not they are 1st or 2nd?
Was this a San Antonio or Texas decision? Based upon what set of rules? This doesn't sound right.
ReplyDeleteFAIR and Torres don't go together brother. Have you ever heard what comes around goes around. San Antonio as a whole does not like him and what he is about. He deserves everything he gets. He will get no love in SA. You are suspect 6:05. How do you like them apples.
ReplyDeleteWho cares about san antonio tennis. Let's talk about sectionals. Key match ups are San Antonio vs Noho. Ausin Wild vs Houston. Austin vs FT Worth. Dallas vs Abilene.
ReplyDeleteMore d'q's just in. 3 from the Valley and 1 from Abilene team.
ReplyDeleteWho protested them? Miller? Freeman and Benzon?
ReplyDeleteWow. Some captain has been busy with the protests.
ReplyDeleteWill the Valley even come to Dallas now? That only leaves them with 7 4.5s and 3 4.0s.
ahh it is nice to see captains not scared to protest. Completely missed Juan Saiz, guess tanking does not payoff.
ReplyDeleteWow little surprised Aston got bumped to 5.5, figured maybe 5.0 but thanks to the captains showing some balls.
another DQ on Waco, so who the F did Benzon sleep with to keep Thomas and his SW Asian?
ReplyDeleteLet the games begin. What does AR Hacker think about this now? He probably is loving this.
ReplyDeleteI must admit it is entertaining, but I am to busy to laugh right with a trip to B'ham and Sectionals coming in 2 days.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to the Texas Teams.
Does anyone think that this is totally ridiculous that this is all happening 3 days before sectionals? I mean for goodness sake.
ReplyDeleteThose were not Millers protests. He didn't worry about the valley because he knew NOHO would handle that.
ReplyDeleteThe Valley protests weren't me. I've been too busy, but I was going to print out the info from collegetennisonline and bring it with me. I guess someone saved me some time, thx.
ReplyDeleteMiller
I just wanted to tell the captain of NOHO to go F himself u low life scum. People getting discualified the week of sectionals. F that guy, F his team, hope he dies on his was to dallas.
ReplyDeleteRed at his best!!
ReplyDelete9:50 pm Isn't that a tad bit harsh? Hope he dies on his way to Dallas? WTF is wrong with you? If league tennis is that big of a deal to you then you need to get an effing life. NOHO would have beaten Valley 4-1 anyway.
ReplyDeleteHey 9:50 post- boo hoo cheater. Does not matter when you get caught only that you did. And wishing someone dies...? really? Look in the mirror if you are looking for scum-
ReplyDeleteWow now is this not quite the irony, of the biggest Rule-benders is possibly responsible for getting other players DQ'ed? So again how is Femi Thomas still a 4.5 when his bio admits he played US Open Jrs, meaning he must have been a Top 100 Junior in the world.
ReplyDeleteIf that is true about Femi you guys are honestly messed up. If that is true you guys should be ashamed. That is so freakin cheesy.
ReplyDeletepretty damn funny if u ask me. i would say its probably not as serious as he says. I laughed at it.
ReplyDeleteFemi isn't even the best player on the NOHO roster.
ReplyDeleteTorres protested Allinson from Waco. He is delusional if he thinks that they would even make it out of their bracket and face Waco on Sunday. They are stuck with their Fall lineup and dont have a chance.
ReplyDeleteLeague tennis is getting way too serious. Why play if you cant play within the guidelines. To my knowledge miller protested noho guys which he had every right to do. He lost his grievance and he's moved on. Every player who self rates is subject to inquiry.
ReplyDeleteWhatever....you guys can saddle up and ride those boys as far as you can. In the end YOU didn't win jack. THEY DID. Bunch of wantabees that can't get it done themselves.
ReplyDeletewhom are you referring to 11:43?
ReplyDeleteLet's just say that all these players who were protested and D'qed were allowed to play. Would we have seen them to be that much out of level?
ReplyDeleteits funny to see the valley actually in conversation...historically the valley has never done anything in sectionals at any level...so for their players to be protested, either someone was really scared of the team and thought they might lose to them or they were just doing it just for the hell of it knowing they would beat valley with or without their "ringers"
ReplyDeleteTorres/Muniz/Cambon how the hell are you going to get someone appealed that you beat in doubles at the waco open. You dumbass's hope yall don't even make it out of your flight !! What the hell is with all this getting people dq'd if yall aren't good enough to win, then don't play. IF you can't get good players then that is your fault !
ReplyDeleteThe Valley won sectionals in 2004 at 4.5. If you look at the players that got disqualified you will see that they would scare anyone in the 4.5 field. Sorry to say, but there is no in between in league tennis.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Frankie's up late. Enjoy open tennis the rest of the year. Don't worry we might not make it out of our flight, but we're gonna have fun trying.
ReplyDeleteFor the love, PLZ let the self rates play!!!
ReplyDelete"D" DRAMA
"Q" QUEENS
hey 12:37 learn to read and fill out a self-rate form correctly and stop cheating, maybe.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Santiago Lock finally got protested.
ReplyDelete12:51 you mean you are gonna have fun cheating. Even your own city wants you to lose. No pride..tankers.
ReplyDeleteAnybody that was DQ'd should be whining. It doesn't matter if they were "out of level". If you don't fill out the self-rate form correctly, you get DQ'd.
ReplyDeleteIt just kills me to see Waco and the Valley, two of the sham leagues that get a free pass to Dallas by playing a couple of matches or pro sets just before Sectionals against straw teams, complaining about DQ's. It's not enough that you can skirt better yet make up your own rules to get to Dallas every year, you have to resort to further shenanigans, and cry like a baby when you are caught. This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it ironic. Don't you think? Yeah, I really do think. It's like rain on your wedding day. It's also like Benzon and Torres being the biggest protesters around.
ReplyDeleteThat is extremely funny and telling......Benzon and Torres, kettle calling the skillet black.
ReplyDeleteOnce and for all can we get those two to have a hot dog eating contest ?
ReplyDeleteso is the Valley team still showing up Friday after all the DQs?
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of this thread all the info was given for all the players who were supposedly illegal self rates. AR Hacker acknowledged who he thought were for sure dq's. Every single captain who was coming to sectionals has a right to make sure that each player is within the self rating guidelines. For these teams who have been playing like SA and Dallas to play all these illegal self rates,it would have been unfair to them to play these out of level players.
ReplyDeleteMiller protested Santiago Lock. Funny how miller said he had his paperwork ready on the valley team from college tennis online.
ReplyDeleteBenzon/Freeman/Dwyer are a bunch of crooks. I'm captain/co-captain and I stand by my roster bs. Femi played US Open and he's not DQed. Those captains are a bunch of chicken sh!t because they'll protest because they don't want any competition. They want all the rings on their team and members not on their team too. Make sure you card all their players.
ReplyDeleteIf Thomas really played US Open wouldn't there be a record of it somewhere online? Wouldn't it be on ITF website or some other website? Look how easy it was to find stuff on all the other dq's.
ReplyDeleteI've got some oceanfront property in Arizona for whoever believes he played the Open. If there was any true evidence he'd be DQ'd in a millisecond.
Dammnn 9:53 post ur name since ur so brave in making these kind of comment so I can meet you when I get to Dallas.
ReplyDeleteNOHO
You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all of the time. The USTA is unable to police all the self-rates that keep scores interesting, so it's up to captains to keep the leagues' playing levels somewhat equitable. If players make it through protests (see Femi), then let it go. If a player gets dq'ed, then let it go. It's done.
ReplyDeleteCaptains, show a little intelligence when creating your team. If players are suspect (possibly playing out-of-level according to USTA guidelines), expect them to be protested. If they get dq'ed, deal with it -- if they don't, more power to you.
Those who go into Sectionals with power self-rates should expect one or more of these players to be protested. It happens every year. Move on...
Branch and Miller are like Sue Storm/Richards. They have an invisible force field around them. They have no self-rates.
ReplyDeleteRed Benzon is like Reed Richards. Things just bounce right off him.
the two players in noho that should be dq'd:
ReplyDeletebharath:
http://www.itftennis.com/mens/tournaments/tournamentresults.asp?event=1100013419&tournament=1100002431
femi:
Femi joined our staff in July of 2004. Former Assistant Professional at Piney Point Racquet Club. Has worked with other clubs and USTA Programs over the last 3 years. PTR Certification. Femi was one of the top ranked juniors in his age group in Nigeria , representing his country in the US Jr. Open and Junior Davis Cup Competition. Femi competed in professional satellites & professional futures tournaments.
Either Femi changed his name to sound more "U.S." or his resume is "fluffy".
ReplyDeleteBecause you can't find anything on "Femi Thomas" that would allow a DQ. Same goes for Bharath.
Guess the new loophole is find some foreigners for your team...
Kinda hard to argue that....... but then again it is Red.
ReplyDeleteGururaj Bharath is Raj Bharath:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.its.uci.edu/~jaykay/tenn-results/itf-s2-bang-0501.html
the only problem i have with all these dq's is the timing....the groups were made weeks ago and everyone knew who was going to play who so why bring up the protests now, such great timing, it should have been done weeks ago to give the teams with protested players time to regroup and also give the players who got dq'd a heads up so they wouldn't have to re-arrange their lives for tennis...these players im sure already made arrangements to go, had to ask for time off from work and their families, etc etc..these players aren't kids, they are grown men with professional careers and families..to have their plans changed a couple of days before I feel is wrong, even though the DQ's are justified and the rules are rules, I think the protests should be done in a timely manner
ReplyDeleteAnd what on that name leads you to think it is a DQ? Because someone played an ITF qualy? You realize anyone could sign up for that?
ReplyDeleteI don't doubt that the guy is way out of level. But without definitive proof, what do you want Tosha to do?