SB Classic Preview

SB Classic 2010. This tournament essentially marks the first club tournament of the year; atleast in the Southern California area. It has always been a fun tournament, a mix of casual and fun ultimate as well as competitive and intense ultimate. This is a tournament that many people go to just finish off the college season, and for others, to earn spots on their respective teams that use this as a tryout. Metro is one of those teams.

This year, we will be fielding two teams. We've never split XY before and this is the first time we've had the numbers to do so. It's the first tryout tournament for this season and although we will be looking to do well, we will be moreso scoping out prospective players and evaluating those who can potentially better our team for the duration of the season. Here is a brief preview regarding each team in addition to predictions.

Pool A:
1. Ambush Paddington, Santa Barbara, CA
2. Brown Chicken Brown Cow, ???, ???
3. LA Metro-Y, Culver City, CA
4. In N' Out, Greater Southern California
5. Roeder's Runners, Irvine, CA

Ambush Paddington
The defending champs, they are a mix of experienced as well as young players from the Santa Barbara area. They have several strong players who have played Condors in the past in addition to women who have experience on the National level in College and in Club. They're a well balanced and athletic team who are deserving of the number one seed, given that they are the returning champs as well as the home team.

Brown Chicken Brown Cow
Our rival friends, BCBC has "graduated" away a lot of players from the SLO area to the Condors but continue to (allegedly) pick up great talent from all over the place (citation needed). They bring a lot of athleticism to the table in addition to a slew of great throwers on both the men and womens side. Despite going 5-1 against this team last year, they always seem to surprise people with their play, and each of their tournament rosters.

LA Metro-Y
The 'Wine' line, as we like to call it, this team is headed up by returners, Kief Z,, Trogdor, Rob Severson, Spencer Barr, and the uncoverable Jeff Chai. They have great talent on this team with plenty of cutters and in my opinion is the stronger of the two Metro teams. We're trying out a whole bunch of people this tournament. Should be a great time seeing who can ball.

In N' Out
This team will outdrink any other team. They are focused on fun and having a great time BUT can sneak up and beat you if you're not careful. At Sectionals last season, this team went up 9-7 on us and had us on our heels. They're a more experienced bunch, and a joy to play against.

Roeder's Runners
This team is made up of current and alumni players from UC Irvine. They are pretty well rounded with great throwers, fast cutters, and deep threats up an down. If they cut deep... their throwers will not be able to resist and you can bet your ass that that disc is gonna be put up deep. I love these people. When I played with them up at Potlatch, we went 7-1. Can't wait to watch them play.

Projected Finish
Ambush Paddington, LA Metro-Y, BCBC, Roeder's Runners, In N' Out


Pool B:
1. Polar Bears (rawr)
2. LA Metro-X
3. Simpler Times
4. Mafia
5. TFT

Polar Bears
The Polar Bears have simply dominated the coed scene ever since they decided to be a serious mixed team a couple months ago. Finishing 2nd place at Lei-Out really got everyone's attention such that their DUI 2010 title came at no surprise. The team bleeds LPC Red and Black as they have a core group of guys who have grown up playing together. Their chemistry is unmatched. Add in several college women who have Nationals experience, you have the makings of a legitimate Nationals contender in the always tough Northwest division.

LA Metro-X
The 'Beer' line, this Metro team is headed up by returning members Yugo, Scott Mahr, Mark Miller Simon Margolis, and yours truly. We're solid up and down with solid handlers and strong tryouts that will be thirsty to impress and pwn. I can't wait.

Simpler Times
I'm not too sure about this team, but my friends have told me that this team is essentially the 'EVIL' team from last year comprised of some core members of the now-defunct Strike-Slip team as well as members from the Condors + Lady Condors. They will be a very tough matchup in that they are all experienced, smart, and have played with each other for quite a while.

Mafia
UC Irvine's annual SB Classic team has undergone a change in that most of the veteran players and alumni are now playing with Roeder's Runners. This has left this team with most of the newer players from the B-team in addition to players from UC Irvine's women's team, the Grass Ninjas. Most of the players on this team are new to the game and have only been playing for a year or two. They'll have their hands full with the competition but I am certain they will be able to hold their own.

TFT
A team hailing from the Bay Area... which is really all I know about them. I have some friends who play on this team but skill wise as a team, I am unsure how they are. All I know is that the two guys that I know on this team love to boost and from what I remember from DUI, they have a good core of cutters and female handlers as well.

Projected Finish:
Polar Bears, Metro-X, Simpler Times, TFT, Mafia


Quarters:
Ambush Paddington vs. In N' Out
Metro-X vs. BCB
Metro-Y vs. Simpler Times
Polar Bears vs. Roeder's Runners

Semis:
Ambush Paddington vs. Metro-X
Polar Bears vs. Metro-Y

Finals:
Ambush Paddington over Metro-Y 15-12

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It's going to be a dandy!

-hammie #10
LA Metro-X