The biggest tournament in Chicago is this upcoming weekend. There are a lot of interesting things that could/will happen. Aside from all Chicago teams playing to win their home tournament there are several important matchups that will have implications this weekend and beyond. Here are a few things to watch for:
OPEN
-Machine at 2
Machine deferred top seeding to Sub despite a victory over them at Chesapeake. I don’t know the reasoning behind this but they ended up in a pool with Regional rivals BAT. In addition, the low seed in their pool is Pike, who was a Nationals qualifier last year. It will be a hard road for the local boys but they are challenging themselves which can only be good for experience heading into the series.
-Haymaker v Skeetpocalypse
So far this year Skeet has won both games against Haymaker but by a combined score of 3. Both teams are gearing up for the series with sights set on making Regionals. If the section gets only two bids (which, from everything I have heard, would actually be lucky) then both teams are preparing for Sectionals to win this matchup. If they face eath other this weekend then it will be one last chance to develop a gameplan.
-Hand Grenade
We’re seeded probably higher that we should be which means we get to play a bunch of old dudes.
WOMEN
-Nemesis v the field
Nemesis is coming off of a tournament victory at Cooler and a good weekend at Colorado Cup. No one scored more than 5 against them in Wisconsin including Regional foe Madison Jazz. Now, as they prepare to push for Nationals, they face some National caliber competition as they did in Colorado. If I know Chicago women (and my empty blackbook would indicate I don’t) then it is safe to assume that they are looking to come out and make a statement against the National competition and develop a resume for seeding at Nationals.
-Dish stuck?
It’s unfortunate for Dish that the way things are bracketed they can’t move up. I’m sure the “second Women’s team” from Chicago would love to make a splash and in some way play spoiler in the overall seedings. Their focus should now be on just coming out and having a good weekend in their backyard.
MIXED
-Lush’s tough road ahead
I’m honestly not sure whether this team likes to think of themselves as a rebuilding of Mr. Briefcase or a beginning of something new, but they face a difficult challenge in returning to the type of team that made Nationals in consecutive seasons. This tournment will give them a good idea of where they stand. The top seeded mixed team from Chicago is slotted at 11, but more telling is the fact that 5 teams from the Central Region are ranked ahead of them. If their goal is to make Nationals, and there is no reason it shouldn’t be, then they have to focus on playing well against Regional opponents.
-Gambit v Food & Liquor
In a battle of familiar faces, these two teams from Chicago will face each other in pool play. I imagine they will be friendly and spirited, but they will also be determined and motivated. A victory for either team is important to establish their spots on the chain heading into Sectionals. There is little doubt that Food & Liquor has had lackluster results this season, but there is also little doubt that the team has a lot of talent that has potential to perform much better. Gambit on the other hand comes into the season with high expectations after a good run at Regionals last year and the talent to get them there again. The teams may have different expectations for this weekend but this game will establish the course for Sectionals.
-Just Liquor
I just wanted to give a shoutout to this team as I love the people on it so much that I will gladly steal their players given the opportunity.
CHC – Storylines
by Caleb on Sep 3, 2008
in Commentary
The biggest tournament in Chicago is this upcoming weekend. There are a lot of interesting things that could/will happen. Aside from all Chicago teams playing to win their home tournament there are several important matchups that will have implications this weekend and beyond. Here are a few things to watch for:
OPEN
-Machine at 2
Machine deferred top seeding to Sub despite a victory over them at Chesapeake. I don’t know the reasoning behind this but they ended up in a pool with Regional rivals BAT. In addition, the low seed in their pool is Pike, who was a Nationals qualifier last year. It will be a hard road for the local boys but they are challenging themselves which can only be good for experience heading into the series.
-Haymaker v Skeetpocalypse
So far this year Skeet has won both games against Haymaker but by a combined score of 3. Both teams are gearing up for the series with sights set on making Regionals. If the section gets only two bids (which, from everything I have heard, would actually be lucky) then both teams are preparing for Sectionals to win this matchup. If they face eath other this weekend then it will be one last chance to develop a gameplan.
-Hand Grenade
We’re seeded probably higher that we should be which means we get to play a bunch of old dudes.
WOMEN
-Nemesis v the field
Nemesis is coming off of a tournament victory at Cooler and a good weekend at Colorado Cup. No one scored more than 5 against them in Wisconsin including Regional foe Madison Jazz. Now, as they prepare to push for Nationals, they face some National caliber competition as they did in Colorado. If I know Chicago women (and my empty blackbook would indicate I don’t) then it is safe to assume that they are looking to come out and make a statement against the National competition and develop a resume for seeding at Nationals.
-Dish stuck?
It’s unfortunate for Dish that the way things are bracketed they can’t move up. I’m sure the “second Women’s team” from Chicago would love to make a splash and in some way play spoiler in the overall seedings. Their focus should now be on just coming out and having a good weekend in their backyard.
MIXED
-Lush’s tough road ahead
I’m honestly not sure whether this team likes to think of themselves as a rebuilding of Mr. Briefcase or a beginning of something new, but they face a difficult challenge in returning to the type of team that made Nationals in consecutive seasons. This tournment will give them a good idea of where they stand. The top seeded mixed team from Chicago is slotted at 11, but more telling is the fact that 5 teams from the Central Region are ranked ahead of them. If their goal is to make Nationals, and there is no reason it shouldn’t be, then they have to focus on playing well against Regional opponents.
-Gambit v Food & Liquor
In a battle of familiar faces, these two teams from Chicago will face each other in pool play. I imagine they will be friendly and spirited, but they will also be determined and motivated. A victory for either team is important to establish their spots on the chain heading into Sectionals. There is little doubt that Food & Liquor has had lackluster results this season, but there is also little doubt that the team has a lot of talent that has potential to perform much better. Gambit on the other hand comes into the season with high expectations after a good run at Regionals last year and the talent to get them there again. The teams may have different expectations for this weekend but this game will establish the course for Sectionals.
-Just Liquor
I just wanted to give a shoutout to this team as I love the people on it so much that I will gladly steal their players given the opportunity.
Tagged as: CHC, Chicago Heavyweight Championships, Heavyweights