Bentleague IX Blog - 9/22/2023 Match Recap

Bentleague IX Blog 9/22/2023 Match Recap Sept 21st, Thursday 6:00 Net Prophets Spin Doctors Line 1 Player 1 Russell Anderson Will Gement 6-0,6-7,1-0 Net Prophets Player 2 Shane McCarthy Michael Schwartz Surprised this one went three sets. Every time I looked Skinny Legs Anderson and Barney Rubble were dominating. Shane really is more athletic than he looks. Interesting switch-aroo by Captain Hal going with Schwartz over Dauterive. Was he playing for the split and happy to get two points out of line 1 and 2. Doesn’t bode well for long term success. He’ll eventually have to win line 1 pairing to challenge for the title. Line 2 Player 1 Jay Butcher Ed Dauterive 1-0 Spin Doctors Player 2 Mitch Tucker Brad Humphreys Wow! Belding gets third win of the season, and we may just have a new top duo as Bradley goes for his drive for five (titles) again. Seems to have found his groove if not his serve with recent two pairings and victories paired with Dr. Death. Early favorite for MVP voting. Did I really just type that. Definitely a high value asset drafted at 7. Speaking of…surprises, Swami can’t figure out why the Candlestick don’t fare well in Bentleague. Has the injury bug hampered his game that much or was it the lack of quality competition in double AA high school sports. Time to right the ship butch…or I see third or 4th line play in your future. Or heaven forbid…the bench. Was the score really 1 and 0. If so, why was Mitch so hungry at waffle house if he already had a bagel and a breadstick for dinner! And this guy was drafted before the Prince of the Parish….! Sad! Line 3 Player 1 Eddie Burdette Steve Jacobs 7-6,6-0 Spin Doctors Player 2 Ty Miller Ray Brouillette Watched this one intently. Swami impressed with strong first set by Eddie the Cruiser and Mr. Miller. Ty Highlife seemed to unnerve the tanned one and Ray Ray early. Lob assortment from Ty and solid forehands by Eddie kept them in contention. Swami knew once they lost the first set it would spell trouble in the 2nd. Super Ray’s deep volleys and Steve’s rock steady play made for an easy 2nd set and straight set victory. Favorites on paper lived up to rankings. Line 4 Player 1 Chris Coinon Greg Gordon 6-4,7-6 Spin Doctors Player 2 Rocky Payne Doug Autin Close scores and evidently some close calls were featured in this one. Usually when two players on the same team disagree on a call, the point is awarded to the other team. Not so for the angry air pilot. The Two 15th round selections were battling with “Reply All -Coinon” showing some touch on his volleys and Doug rolling some nice forehands. In the end, Gordon Geecko was a difference maker and stepped up to the challenge. Doesn’t earn bragging rights at line 4 but a win is a win. 5th rounder vs. 10th rounder at line 4 has Swami shaking his head. Captain Sleepy George has some explaining to do. Gift to the Spin Doctor. Hairy Hal says thanks. Line 5 Player 1 Dave Mount Josh Clark 6-3,6-0 Net Prophets Player 2 David Butler Devin Smith Mount taking Swami’s comments about fitness seriously comes out with a chip on his shoulder to help secure win for Net Prophets. Sweet pairing with “the Butler did it”. A much-needed pleasant surprise for Geritol George. Joker wannabe Josh used to be a point earner struggling so far this year and getting paired with one of the Butler brothers. 17 and 18 vs. 17 and 19 goes according to chalk. Swami thought this one would be closer. Total Points 3 5 Spin Doctors win -- 7:30 Lobbyist Smash City Line 1 Player 1 Noah Marquez Nick Thompson 1-6,7-5,1-0 Smash City Player 2 Chris Kobrock Mark Fair What a difference a set makes. Watched first set and thought Lobbyist had the edge. Good adjustments by Tricky and the Ego in the 2nd set. Momentum carries over into the third set tie breaker and Topspin Chris and Noah’s Ark fall in a close one 11-9. Playing Chris at line 1 and Jeff at line 3 backfires for Captain Jaybo. Or was this a Robby decision. Swami calling for an audit on this line up maneuver. Smash City primed for continued success if top tier continues upward trajectory. Swami disappointed in captain one liner’s decision to bench himself for vital end of round one match up. Not surprised, just disappointed. Damn…NorthShore athletes are soft. Dan Quayle is no John Kennedy and Captain Dave, you are no Tyler Harper. Line 2 Player 1 Mark Schneider Grant Matherne 6-2,6-2 Lobbyist Player 2 Tony Priola Andrew McQuaid Interesting match up on paper. What were the captains thinking? A lot of chatter early about the styles of Samurai Schneider and the Saint of St. Bernard. Chatter equals confusion in most cases according to the Swami and this match up proved it. Smash City duo played right into Captain Jay’s hands in addition to a nice debut for Lil Nadal at line 2 (2pt. Tigah, as the masses call him). Swami observed Big Burrito struggling with consistency against the slice and dice masters…and throw in some precision point lobs and the end was a foregone conclusion. Mopy Matherne also fell victim to the unorthodox play and athleticism of the two Lobbyist teammates. Both took their helping of humble pie admirably and will live to fight on in subsequent rounds. Probably not at line 2 though. Look out for this Lobbyist pairing moving forward. Line 3 Player 1 Robby Economides Blake Powers 6-2,6-1 Smash City Player 2 Jeff Thompson Ronny Regouffre Handpicked pairing by Rowdy Robby backfires. Word on the street is that Cheech Regouffre and Blake dominated. Scores indicate the same. Wonder why they were at line 3? Say it ain’t so Jeff. Did you get the memo about no sex before Bentleague matches. Jury still out on how the single life will affect Jeffro’s play. So far, the newlywed life not helping Noah. Most assumed we would have had a Batman vs. Captain America pairing on the docket. Maybe in round 2. Looks like Cheech found his Shane replacement. Younger, better looking and with a better backhand. Looking at the results had to put on my glasses because Jeffro never loses 2 and 1. Young Blake earning accolades as solid fourth rounder to date. Mayor of Mandeville liking the results. 3,4, and 5 picks for Smash City impressing so far well except for number 3 on this night. Swami interested in seeing how the other two draft picks (Cheech and Baller Blake) fare against the Ginsu Duo in a match soon to be scheduled. Line 4 Player 1 Peter Jilkov Cayman Sinclair 2-6,7-6,1-0 Lobbyist Player 2 Jay Blossman Mike Roberts Great closing match until…Ouch. Sorry to see Magic Mike suffering leg/calf injury late in the third set. Could Cannon Cayman have finished the match 2v1. Up a set with a 4-0 lead and game point on their racket makes for some sleepless nights if it slips through your fingers. Cayman and MR won’t soon forget this one. Swami loved watching (See pic from those close to the court) the Round 1 closeout as did the on lookers who stayed well after club closing. That’s the way you close out a Thursday Bentleague match. What a good reminder to the bystanders to fight for every inch as Al Pacino would say. That is exactly what the Bad Bulgarian and Captain Jaybo did. Coming from behind and fighting through a deficit to win a well-played grueling 2nd set. Up in the pivotal 3rd…with penetrating top spin forehands and some deft touch shots from the captain had the match leaning the Lobbyist way even before the injury. Way to battle boys…Great comeback and Great way to end round 1 minus the injury of course. Heal up MR…otherwise, the Mayor of Mandeville may have to insert his own name into the line up in a crucial match. And we allBentleague IX Blog 9/22/2023 Match Recap Sept 21st, Thursday 6:00 Net Prophets Spin Doctors Line 1 Player 1 Russell Anderson Will Gement 6-0,6-7,1-0 Net Prophets Player 2 Shane McCarthy Michael Schwartz Surprised this one went three sets. Every time I looked Skinny Legs Anderson and Barney Rubble were dominating. Shane really is more athletic than he looks. Interesting switch-aroo by Captain Hal going with Schwartz over Dauterive. Was he playing for the split and happy to get two points out of line 1 and 2. Doesn’t bode well for long term success. He’ll eventually have to win line 1 pairing to challenge for the title. Line 2 Player 1 Jay Butcher Ed Dauterive 1-0 Spin Doctors Player 2 Mitch Tucker Brad Humphreys Wow! Belding gets third win of the season, and we may just have a new top duo as Bradley goes for his drive for five (titles) again. Seems to have found his groove if not his serve with recent two pairings and victories paired with Dr. Death. Early favorite for MVP voting. Did I really just type that. Definitely a high value asset drafted at 7. Speaking of…surprises, Swami can’t figure out why the Candlestick don’t fare well in Bentleague. Has the injury bug hampered his game that much or was it the lack of quality competition in double AA high school sports. Time to right the ship butch…or I see third or 4th line play in your future. Or heaven forbid…the bench. Was the score really 1 and 0. If so, why was Mitch so hungry at waffle house if he already had a bagel and a breadstick for dinner! And this guy was drafted before the Prince of the Parish….! Sad! Line 3 Player 1 Eddie Burdette Steve Jacobs 7-6,6-0 Spin Doctors Player 2 Ty Miller Ray Brouillette Watched this one intently. Swami impressed with strong first set by Eddie the Cruiser and Mr. Miller. Ty Highlife seemed to unnerve the tanned one and Ray Ray early. Lob assortment from Ty and solid forehands by Eddie kept them in contention. Swami knew once they lost the first set it would spell trouble in the 2nd. Super Ray’s deep volleys and Steve’s rock steady play made for an easy 2nd set and straight set victory. Favorites on paper lived up to rankings. Line 4 Player 1 Chris Coinon Greg Gordon 6-4,7-6 Spin Doctors Player 2 Rocky Payne Doug Autin Close scores and evidently some close calls were featured in this one. Usually when two players on the same team disagree on a call, the point is awarded to the other team. Not so for the angry air pilot. The Two 15th round selections were battling with “Reply All -Coinon” showing some touch on his volleys and Doug rolling some nice forehands. In the end, Gordon Geecko was a difference maker and stepped up to the challenge. Doesn’t earn bragging rights at line 4 but a win is a win. 5th rounder vs. 10th rounder at line 4 has Swami shaking his head. Captain Sleepy George has some explaining to do. Gift to the Spin Doctor. Hairy Hal says thanks. Line 5 Player 1 Dave Mount Josh Clark 6-3,6-0 Net Prophets Player 2 David Butler Devin Smith Mount taking Swami’s comments about fitness seriously comes out with a chip on his shoulder to help secure win for Net Prophets. Sweet pairing with “the Butler did it”. A much-needed pleasant surprise for Geritol George. Joker wannabe Josh used to be a point earner struggling so far this year and getting paired with one of the Butler brothers. 17 and 18 vs. 17 and 19 goes according to chalk. Swami thought this one would be closer. Total Points 3 5 Spin Doctors win -- 7:30 Lobbyist Smash City Line 1 Player 1 Noah Marquez Nick Thompson 1-6,7-5,1-0 Smash City Player 2 Chris Kobrock Mark Fair What a difference a set makes. Watched first set and thought Lobbyist had the edge. Good adjustments by Tricky and the Ego in the 2nd set. Momentum carries over into the third set tie breaker and Topspin Chris and Noah’s Ark fall in a close one 11-9. Playing Chris at line 1 and Jeff at line 3 backfires for Captain Jaybo. Or was this a Robby decision. Swami calling for an audit on this line up maneuver. Smash City primed for continued success if top tier continues upward trajectory. Swami disappointed in captain one liner’s decision to bench himself for vital end of round one match up. Not surprised, just disappointed. Damn…NorthShore athletes are soft. Dan Quayle is no John Kennedy and Captain Dave, you are no Tyler Harper. Line 2 Player 1 Mark Schneider Grant Matherne 6-2,6-2 Lobbyist Player 2 Tony Priola Andrew McQuaid Interesting match up on paper. What were the captains thinking? A lot of chatter early about the styles of Samurai Schneider and the Saint of St. Bernard. Chatter equals confusion in most cases according to the Swami and this match up proved it. Smash City duo played right into Captain Jay’s hands in addition to a nice debut for Lil Nadal at line 2 (2pt. Tigah, as the masses call him). Swami observed Big Burrito struggling with consistency against the slice and dice masters…and throw in some precision point lobs and the end was a foregone conclusion. Mopy Matherne also fell victim to the unorthodox play and athleticism of the two Lobbyist teammates. Both took their helping of humble pie admirably and will live to fight on in subsequent rounds. Probably not at line 2 though. Look out for this Lobbyist pairing moving forward. Line 3 Player 1 Robby Economides Blake Powers 6-2,6-1 Smash City Player 2 Jeff Thompson Ronny Regouffre Handpicked pairing by Rowdy Robby backfires. Word on the street is that Cheech Regouffre and Blake dominated. Scores indicate the same. Wonder why they were at line 3? Say it ain’t so Jeff. Did you get the memo about no sex before Bentleague matches. Jury still out on how the single life will affect Jeffro’s play. So far, the newlywed life not helping Noah. Most assumed we would have had a Batman vs. Captain America pairing on the docket. Maybe in round 2. Looks like Cheech found his Shane replacement. Younger, better looking and with a better backhand. Looking at the results had to put on my glasses because Jeffro never loses 2 and 1. Young Blake earning accolades as solid fourth rounder to date. Mayor of Mandeville liking the results. 3,4, and 5 picks for Smash City impressing so far well except for number 3 on this night. Swami interested in seeing how the other two draft picks (Cheech and Baller Blake) fare against the Ginsu Duo in a match soon to be scheduled. Line 4 Player 1 Peter Jilkov Cayman Sinclair 2-6,7-6,1-0 Lobbyist Player 2 Jay Blossman Mike Roberts Great closing match until…Ouch. Sorry to see Magic Mike suffering leg/calf injury late in the third set. Could Cannon Cayman have finished the match 2v1. Up a set with a 4-0 lead and game point on their racket makes for some sleepless nights if it slips through your fingers. Cayman and MR won’t soon forget this one. Swami loved watching (See pic from those close to the court) the Round 1 closeout as did the on lookers who stayed well after club closing. That’s the way you close out a Thursday Bentleague match. What a good reminder to the bystanders to fight for every inch as Al Pacino would say. That is exactly what the Bad Bulgarian and Captain Jaybo did. Coming from behind and fighting through a deficit to win a well-played grueling 2nd set. Up in the pivotal 3rd…with penetrating top spin forehands and some deft touch shots from the captain had the match leaning the Lobbyist way even before the injury. Way to battle boys…Great comeback and Great way to end round 1 minus the injury of course. Heal up MR…otherwise, the Mayor of Mandeville may have to insert his own name into the line up in a crucial match. And we all know he don’t trust his back hand enough for that. Line 5 Player 1 Robert Groeneveld Chris Rabon 6-4,3-6,1-0 Smash City Player 2 Skip Scoggins Seth Monaghan Oh snap, another tie breaker loss for the Lobbyist (hope it’s not a trend). I thought Smash City had issues with tie breakers. Statistical gods on the side of Smash City tonight. Funny how that works itself out. 0-4 in tie breakers before the match has them winning two tonight and maybe a third if not for the injury. Round Mound of Rabon can hit forehands all day. Hope our duo read the scouting report. Not to mention the healed up surprising athletic Crazy Eyes Monaghan working the net. These two will be earning a lot of 1 -point victories for Smash City if you don’t play against their strengths. On paper I liked this Lobbyist pairing. Especially with Sundial, a 7th rounder, playing line 5. Dang…SMH - how does a 7 and 14 lose to a 13 and 14! Just goes to show you…don’t judge a book by its cover. Swami knows the Alpha Ginger can win. Especially if he plays line 5 all year. Total Points 3 5 Smash City wins Standings: (After Round 1) Lobbyist 13 Spin Doctors 12 Smash City 12 Net Prophets 11 Along way to go. If you’re not first…you might as well be last. Ricky Bobbie know he don’t trust his back hand enough for that. Line 5 Player 1 Robert Groeneveld Chris Rabon 6-4,3-6,1-0 Smash City Player 2 Skip Scoggins Seth Monaghan Oh snap, another tie breaker loss for the Lobbyist (hope it’s not a trend). I thought Smash City had issues with tie breakers. Statistical gods on the side of Smash City tonight. Funny how that works itself out. 0-4 in tie breakers before the match has them winning two tonight and maybe a third if not for the injury. Round Mound of Rabon can hit forehands all day. Hope our duo read the scouting report. Not to mention the healed up surprising athletic Crazy Eyes Monaghan working the net. These two will be earning a lot of 1 -point victories for Smash City if you don’t play against their strengths. On paper I liked this Lobbyist pairing. Especially with Sundial, a 7th rounder, playing line 5. Dang…SMH - how does a 7 and 14 lose to a 13 and 14! Just goes to show you…don’t judge a book by its cover. Swami knows the Alpha Ginger can win. Especially if he plays line 5 all year. Total Points 3 5 Smash City wins Standings: (After Round 1) Lobbyist 13 Spin Doctors 12 Smash City 12 Net Prophets 11 Along way to go. If you’re not first…you might as well be last. Ricky Bobbie