Middletown Invitational
Recap:
The WH Varsity met at the school at a bright and early 6:30 AM, setting off with the designated drivers of Jacob Katzen, Lu Wang, and Mrs. Wang. After getting tricked by a decietful highway sign, we wasted about 15 minutes, but eventually got back on track. We arrived at the Middletown school sometime before 10, and our first game was against Columbia Highschool B.
Columbia Highschool B was not a team that we would have to worry about, but for some reason, we weren't playing up to par. Compared to our performance at Longmeadow Invitational, this game was nothing close to stellar, even with the win of 11-2, and another spectacular (or perhaps gratuitous) layout by Lu Wang on the first point.
Our next game was against Chase Collegiate. This team was full of very athletic and tall players, and we still had bad mentality and sloppy errors, along with some messy zone offense, which lost us the game 10-5. At one point in the game, two players from Chase were injured badly, and instead of taking their players off the field, they decided to stall out the time limit for almost a good ten minutes.
The following game was against Amity Highschool, a really new and scrubby team that we clearly did not take seriously, and because of that, we let them score six points before we took the game at 11.
Then we had a rematch against Chase. We started playing great and scored the first couple of points, but soon with some sloppy playing on zone offense they quickly took the lead again. Afterwards, they came back with some faulty calls and such and beat us 11-6.
The final game would determine the 2nd place winners in this tournament. Our game was against Fieldston. We came out strong, taking the first two points, but we soon exchanged points over and over and soon enough, they had taken the lead at 10-7. During the first point of this game, Teddy Ku made a catch that was stripped and fouled and nearly suffered a concussion. He sat out for the remainder of the game to heal up. Watchung Hills quickly took the game back and moved up quickly to 10-10, universal point. The final point ended with an amazing sky from Jacob Price, then a Brian Li to Alex Growney (sky) huck for the 2nd place win.
Thoughts (Take Em' Or Leave Em'):
We still need to work on zone offense, there were so many holes in the cup, but if the poppers aren't there, then we've got a huge problem, because the cup from Chase was cheating in on the handlers the entire time.
If your man is going up the line, BODY HIM OUT. Its not a foul if you box him out from moving up the line.
Chase Collegiate spirit score? 0? Yeah? Assholes.
At one point I made an amazing layout catch in the endzone but the disc was stripped from my hands when I landed. There goes my chance to make an epic universal point.
We should definately pay Mrs. Wang back for amazing Mongolian BBQ. SO GOOD.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Westfield Cancelled
Due to thunderstorms... which evidently NEVER happened. Damn, I get so excited and pumped before a game, and I just got shut down two days in a row.
A guy can only take so much disappointment.
A guy can only take so much disappointment.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
TURFY TURF TURF
We've made a couple of modifications to our practice schedule within the past two weeks. From now on, for Varsity practices, instead of playing on that God-forbidden Woodland field (which is pretty much a death trap of rocks for Ultimate players) we get to mooch off the the Warren Turf field.
I don't know how long this phase will last, because I'm still not sure whether any Warren teams will come out before 5 as the season progresses.
Game against Highland Park tomorrow on the WHRHS turf field. Come support maybe?
I'm feeling very confident ever since the Longmeadow Invitational. I feel like our team has reached a new level and from here on out, we're only going to get better if we keep working like we've been doing.
I much as I hate to admit it, I need new cleats.
I wonder where we're going to have our banquet. I was thinking about making a really long movie about our team, sort of like the Mamabird 2005-2006 highlight reel. I could probably put it on a DVD and distribute it throughout the team
I don't know how long this phase will last, because I'm still not sure whether any Warren teams will come out before 5 as the season progresses.
Game against Highland Park tomorrow on the WHRHS turf field. Come support maybe?
I'm feeling very confident ever since the Longmeadow Invitational. I feel like our team has reached a new level and from here on out, we're only going to get better if we keep working like we've been doing.
I much as I hate to admit it, I need new cleats.
I wonder where we're going to have our banquet. I was thinking about making a really long movie about our team, sort of like the Mamabird 2005-2006 highlight reel. I could probably put it on a DVD and distribute it throughout the team
Monday, April 23, 2007
JV
I know you'd rather hear this from someone else, but I'm really freaking proud of you.
No kidding. I respect you. I know my respect doesn't really mean much, but from what I've heard, you guys played amazing at the Oakwood tournament.
I'm not usually proud of people. Why? Cause I'm an ass.
But when I heard how well you guys did in the tournament, I realized that in 2 to 3 years, you guys are going to be running this team. And though you guys might not think so now, in the next following years, you guys are going to be some of the sickest players I'll ever have the honor of playing with, and being able to see you guys grow as players is going to amazing.
John Barnum, Jayson Lian, Sean Wang, Jay Nadkarni (is that how you spell it?), Nikhil Sharma, Scott Hampton, Steven Silva, Alex, you guys are so athletic. Sure, your throws may not be the best, but that will come with time. 2009, you guys are going to be running this team.
Scott Hampton, you are one crazy bastard.
No kidding. I respect you. I know my respect doesn't really mean much, but from what I've heard, you guys played amazing at the Oakwood tournament.
I'm not usually proud of people. Why? Cause I'm an ass.
But when I heard how well you guys did in the tournament, I realized that in 2 to 3 years, you guys are going to be running this team. And though you guys might not think so now, in the next following years, you guys are going to be some of the sickest players I'll ever have the honor of playing with, and being able to see you guys grow as players is going to amazing.
John Barnum, Jayson Lian, Sean Wang, Jay Nadkarni (is that how you spell it?), Nikhil Sharma, Scott Hampton, Steven Silva, Alex, you guys are so athletic. Sure, your throws may not be the best, but that will come with time. 2009, you guys are going to be running this team.
Scott Hampton, you are one crazy bastard.
Huh?
I'll rewrite a better post later, but does anyone know why I can't view other people's blogs?
The only one I can view is Glenn's, and I've gotten comments from numerous people.
The only one I can view is Glenn's, and I've gotten comments from numerous people.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Following is Based on a True Story
Hell yes to Watchung Ultimate.
HELL. YES.
"This tournament will either bring us together as a team or destroy what we have left"
This is what we thought when we were invited to this tournament. SO many good teams would be there, and we were definately seeded last. We thought that we wouldn't stand a chance and we would lose every single one of our pool games. But you know what we did? When it really mattered, we pulled through and beasted it. We EFFING BEASTED IT.
Game 1: Nipmuc
Nipmuc had a reputation of being a good team in the past. We came out on to the field not knowing what to expect, but after the first point, it was evident that they had only a couple of people who were decent handlers. After a spectacular layout by Lu Wang on the FIRST POINT, we stepped it up, socring point after the point. Nipmuc dropped numerous times, including three times on the pull. We had definately gotten into their heads, and that gave us the game at 13-5.
Feeling pretty good, we found out our next game would be against Needham.
Note: For those who don't know, Needham is one the best teams in the East. They beat Amherst Varsity this year, who hasn't been defeated in 3-4 years. To sum it up, Needham is THE team.
Game 2: Needham
We started off good. The Sachin-Lu-Growney connection never failed us, and we quickly took the first point. Needham responded by throwing their man deep, and putting them perfect lead throws. It was a tight game, both with alot of deeps and skies. Pretty much, us and Needham exchanged points over and over until about 9-9. We were so amazed at how good we were doing against one of the best teams in the nation. We thought, "This is our game, Watchung. This is our game."
After Needham scored one more point on us, they declared that hard cap had taken place and that was the end. Therefore, that gave them the win at 10-9.
Later, we had discovered that the rules of hard cap is that if hard cap is announced during a point, you finish that point, and play another. Needham ripped us off of that one point. So our excuse is:
"We didn't lose to Needham. We lost to hard cap."
Game 3: Amherst JV A
After a ridiculously long bye, we warmed up and played Amherst JV A. This team was one that we were confident we could beat. But for some reason, we weren't playing to our fullest, and they eventually took the lead with a 5-2 lead. But Watchung Hills wasn't settling for anything below third place. We came back strong, and took half.
After exchanging points over and over with Amherst JV, we finally took the game 13-10. Highlights? AMAZING catch by Growney.
Watchung Hills. 3rd place at Longmeadow Invitational. Clap it up, Warriors, clap it up.
HELL. YES.
"This tournament will either bring us together as a team or destroy what we have left"
This is what we thought when we were invited to this tournament. SO many good teams would be there, and we were definately seeded last. We thought that we wouldn't stand a chance and we would lose every single one of our pool games. But you know what we did? When it really mattered, we pulled through and beasted it. We EFFING BEASTED IT.
Game 1: Nipmuc
Nipmuc had a reputation of being a good team in the past. We came out on to the field not knowing what to expect, but after the first point, it was evident that they had only a couple of people who were decent handlers. After a spectacular layout by Lu Wang on the FIRST POINT, we stepped it up, socring point after the point. Nipmuc dropped numerous times, including three times on the pull. We had definately gotten into their heads, and that gave us the game at 13-5.
Feeling pretty good, we found out our next game would be against Needham.
Note: For those who don't know, Needham is one the best teams in the East. They beat Amherst Varsity this year, who hasn't been defeated in 3-4 years. To sum it up, Needham is THE team.
Game 2: Needham
We started off good. The Sachin-Lu-Growney connection never failed us, and we quickly took the first point. Needham responded by throwing their man deep, and putting them perfect lead throws. It was a tight game, both with alot of deeps and skies. Pretty much, us and Needham exchanged points over and over until about 9-9. We were so amazed at how good we were doing against one of the best teams in the nation. We thought, "This is our game, Watchung. This is our game."
After Needham scored one more point on us, they declared that hard cap had taken place and that was the end. Therefore, that gave them the win at 10-9.
Later, we had discovered that the rules of hard cap is that if hard cap is announced during a point, you finish that point, and play another. Needham ripped us off of that one point. So our excuse is:
"We didn't lose to Needham. We lost to hard cap."
Game 3: Amherst JV A
After a ridiculously long bye, we warmed up and played Amherst JV A. This team was one that we were confident we could beat. But for some reason, we weren't playing to our fullest, and they eventually took the lead with a 5-2 lead. But Watchung Hills wasn't settling for anything below third place. We came back strong, and took half.
After exchanging points over and over with Amherst JV, we finally took the game 13-10. Highlights? AMAZING catch by Growney.
Watchung Hills. 3rd place at Longmeadow Invitational. Clap it up, Warriors, clap it up.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Dangerous, We So Dangerous
Longmeadow Tournament on Sunday.
I can't believe the Varsity team is considering driving up to MA at 4 AM in the morning. The first game starts at 8:45 AM. Even if they leave at 4 AM, the drive is 3-4 hours, so they're cutting it really close.Me, Jacob Price, Sach and possibly another player will probably drive up Saturday night, reserve a hotel, split the costs, and get a good nights sleep before the tournament. Sleep is essential for a tournament.
Pool A
A1: Needham
A2: Nipmuc RHS
A3: Amherst JV A
A4: Watchung Hills
Pool B
B1: Longmeadow High School
B2: Amherst (ARHS)
B3: Phillips Academy
B4: JP Stevens High School
The first team we will be playing is Needham. A very very good team, I cannot stress that enough. We lost 10-5 to them last year, and this year they've come out even stronger, even managing to beat Amherst. I honestly can't say much for our performance against this team. This game will either bring us together as a team, or pretty much destroy what we have left.
The next game will be against Amherst JV A. Although they are a JV team, they are still exceptionally good. But I believe that if we play to our fullest abilities, we may be able to pull through and beat them.
Our last pool game is going to be against Nipmuc RHS. I have no info on this team at all.
Oakwood Invitational:
Chase Collegiate School
John Jay
Oakwod Friends JV
Storm King School
Hotchkiss School
Oakwood Friends School
Poughkeepsie Day School
Watchung Hills JV
Oakwood Invitational for the Watchung Hills JV team on Saturday. They'll be driving up to Poughkeepsie, NY if we can find enough parents and people to provide transportation.
Tips for the JV:
Look out for Chase Collegiate School and the Hotchkiss School. Last year we played Hotchkiss School JV and won 13-3, but this year I believe its going to be their Varsity going, and I've heard some good things about them. Assuming their JV runs similar plays as their Varsity, they run a 4-man cup. They'll be playing a cup around the handler, and one man guarding the dump. Their flaw is that, once you get past that cup, you'll have 1-2 guys open in the short deep area. Give and go with these guys for a while and reset.Oakwood Friends JV is bad, but I don't know anything about their Varsity, so don't underestimate them. Thats for any other team out there.
Play well, Warriors.
I can't believe the Varsity team is considering driving up to MA at 4 AM in the morning. The first game starts at 8:45 AM. Even if they leave at 4 AM, the drive is 3-4 hours, so they're cutting it really close.Me, Jacob Price, Sach and possibly another player will probably drive up Saturday night, reserve a hotel, split the costs, and get a good nights sleep before the tournament. Sleep is essential for a tournament.
Pool A
A1: Needham
A2: Nipmuc RHS
A3: Amherst JV A
A4: Watchung Hills
Pool B
B1: Longmeadow High School
B2: Amherst (ARHS)
B3: Phillips Academy
B4: JP Stevens High School
The first team we will be playing is Needham. A very very good team, I cannot stress that enough. We lost 10-5 to them last year, and this year they've come out even stronger, even managing to beat Amherst. I honestly can't say much for our performance against this team. This game will either bring us together as a team, or pretty much destroy what we have left.
The next game will be against Amherst JV A. Although they are a JV team, they are still exceptionally good. But I believe that if we play to our fullest abilities, we may be able to pull through and beat them.
Our last pool game is going to be against Nipmuc RHS. I have no info on this team at all.
Oakwood Invitational:
Chase Collegiate School
John Jay
Oakwod Friends JV
Storm King School
Hotchkiss School
Oakwood Friends School
Poughkeepsie Day School
Watchung Hills JV
Oakwood Invitational for the Watchung Hills JV team on Saturday. They'll be driving up to Poughkeepsie, NY if we can find enough parents and people to provide transportation.
Tips for the JV:
Look out for Chase Collegiate School and the Hotchkiss School. Last year we played Hotchkiss School JV and won 13-3, but this year I believe its going to be their Varsity going, and I've heard some good things about them. Assuming their JV runs similar plays as their Varsity, they run a 4-man cup. They'll be playing a cup around the handler, and one man guarding the dump. Their flaw is that, once you get past that cup, you'll have 1-2 guys open in the short deep area. Give and go with these guys for a while and reset.Oakwood Friends JV is bad, but I don't know anything about their Varsity, so don't underestimate them. Thats for any other team out there.
Play well, Warriors.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Thursday, April 19 Practice
Because every ultimate player has a blogspot.
Brian Li
Sophomore
Watchung Warriors
Class of 09'
I messed up at practice again today. I'll be honest, I don't know why I did so bad at the skying drill. Is it because I didn't hear an up call on defense? Is it because Coach Porter threw the disc in the direction of the defender and I automatically had very bad positioning? I don't know, but I prefer not to blame things on other people but myself. Criticize no other but myself. But make it constructive criticism.
When handling today, I tried setting up the dump on the force side. Not the best idea. No matter how far back I set up, my defender might just poach off of me and cut off a throwing lane. I don't remember who suggested it to me, but from now on I'm sticking to the standard dump position on the break side.
I still see the one thing I hate: A dormant cutting lane. I hate it when I get the disc after a nice up-line and the one thing I see is one of the freshmen (I'm not going to mention any names) making a horizontal cut into the lane, and then deep, but completely covered still. I know he's a freshman, but he should know better. The disc doesn't leave my hand until about stall 5 or 6, and half of the time its for a dump pass. Honestly, I don't complete much upfield throws.
I may be going to NUTC for the summer. If that fails, I'll take up Skylands. Then again, NUTC is only a week. Skylands is all summer. I really want to get good, so I'm willing to travel or pay money for a good camp.
Brian Li
Sophomore
Watchung Warriors
Class of 09'
I messed up at practice again today. I'll be honest, I don't know why I did so bad at the skying drill. Is it because I didn't hear an up call on defense? Is it because Coach Porter threw the disc in the direction of the defender and I automatically had very bad positioning? I don't know, but I prefer not to blame things on other people but myself. Criticize no other but myself. But make it constructive criticism.
When handling today, I tried setting up the dump on the force side. Not the best idea. No matter how far back I set up, my defender might just poach off of me and cut off a throwing lane. I don't remember who suggested it to me, but from now on I'm sticking to the standard dump position on the break side.
I still see the one thing I hate: A dormant cutting lane. I hate it when I get the disc after a nice up-line and the one thing I see is one of the freshmen (I'm not going to mention any names) making a horizontal cut into the lane, and then deep, but completely covered still. I know he's a freshman, but he should know better. The disc doesn't leave my hand until about stall 5 or 6, and half of the time its for a dump pass. Honestly, I don't complete much upfield throws.
I may be going to NUTC for the summer. If that fails, I'll take up Skylands. Then again, NUTC is only a week. Skylands is all summer. I really want to get good, so I'm willing to travel or pay money for a good camp.
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