Post by colanowski on Jan 8, 2024 10:00:34 GMT -5
Well...well...well...
Week Six kinda fell flat on its face...reviewing my top 5 events from last week:
LCA Invitational looked to be a tough event...but I heard people paid rent they were in the gym so late! Washington, WV really gave the VA Boys a run for their money. Of note - I have been very impressed with Hanover so far this year. I think they have a team that could do well at the state tournament. They have a mix of veteran experience, but also a healthy amount of youth to balance it out.
THIS WEEKEND...THE GRAND DADDY OF EM ALL! The VA DUALS! I'll share some thoughts and predictions leading up to the event.
1. If we do not see New Kent vs Staunton River I will riot.
2. How the heck do they pick the divisions for this...I'll humbly admit. I'm a conspiracy theorist, so I'll say a little home cookin to favor...nevermind. I'll stop right there
3. Personally, I'd like to see the event kick out of state teams out of the event. Invite the top 8 schools from class 1-6 and VISAA, make it a state dual championship and winner gets a cool trophy.
Predictions:
Black & Blue : Poqouson has to be the front runner here...right? I'm not sure. I think Spotys had a good year last year, but haven't followed them much. I think Godwin could make some noise and possibly make the finals? I'll be honest, I'm biased. I coach a few kids at Godwin and I'm high on them...but maybe I'm not bias..I'm just educated
Pick: Poqouson over Mills Godwin
Cliff Keen HS Division: They've stacked the deck in this division. This is 10x harder than the other HS division. New Kent vs Staunton River first Rd plz or thank you. I think winner of that dual could make the finals unless they have Nazareth on their side of the bracket...Grassfield is going to ruffle some feathers. I'd like to see how they stack up against the top dawgz in VA! Would love to see a matchup with them or I'm a VA homer so I root for the good guys, but being a realist...I'll say the PA guys take the cake
Pick: Nazareth over Cannon-McMillian
Townbank HS Division: There's some out of state talent here that I dont know much about. But teams from PA, NJ, SC, VA make up this division. Hopefully we see a matchup between Eastern View and Orange County as I believe they are the two top DAWGZ in 4A. Skyline and Great Bridge had a close dual last week so if they meet again it could be a coin flip. Mike Benzel ALWAYS has kellam ready for the duals(talking from experience...
Honestly...my prediction here is a shot in the dark.
Pick: Bethleham Liberty over Orange County.
One random note I wills share before signing off for the week...This week was a disaster with events getting cancelled. I talked with a SAVVY coach over the weekend. He prepared for this. He knew the new 5 event rule would put them in a bind at some point. So before the season - he put six events on his calendar in case of an emergency. Smart move by a veteran coach.
Week Six kinda fell flat on its face...reviewing my top 5 events from last week:
- Joe Verciglio @ Chantilly was cancelled
- Old Dominion Cup was cancelled (As was New Kent vs Staunton River)
- East Coast Catholic Catholic was won by St. Francis out of Baltimore. I've had the pleasure of seeing them three times now this season. Those kids wrestle tough! BCP puts on a first class event! Excited to see how this event continues to find its footing - they're only three years in and have had some great teams come in the last few years.
- Tommy Legge was cut down from a 1 day event. Really impacted the quality of the event(not to be a debbie downer)...I think the real selling point of this event was the format and that got shot down.
- RWC duals delivered! STC was tested all day against some tough teams from across the county. #2 nationally Blair was in town and STC was able to sneak out a few wins. Honestly, I was shocked at how well STC handled themselves all day. Yeah...they took some lumps, but I think that was the intention of this event. They are battle tested. ?BUT Where the heck was Mountain View....?
LCA Invitational looked to be a tough event...but I heard people paid rent they were in the gym so late! Washington, WV really gave the VA Boys a run for their money. Of note - I have been very impressed with Hanover so far this year. I think they have a team that could do well at the state tournament. They have a mix of veteran experience, but also a healthy amount of youth to balance it out.
THIS WEEKEND...THE GRAND DADDY OF EM ALL! The VA DUALS! I'll share some thoughts and predictions leading up to the event.
1. If we do not see New Kent vs Staunton River I will riot.
2. How the heck do they pick the divisions for this...I'll humbly admit. I'm a conspiracy theorist, so I'll say a little home cookin to favor...nevermind. I'll stop right there
3. Personally, I'd like to see the event kick out of state teams out of the event. Invite the top 8 schools from class 1-6 and VISAA, make it a state dual championship and winner gets a cool trophy.
Predictions:
Black & Blue : Poqouson has to be the front runner here...right? I'm not sure. I think Spotys had a good year last year, but haven't followed them much. I think Godwin could make some noise and possibly make the finals? I'll be honest, I'm biased. I coach a few kids at Godwin and I'm high on them...but maybe I'm not bias..I'm just educated
Pick: Poqouson over Mills Godwin
Cliff Keen HS Division: They've stacked the deck in this division. This is 10x harder than the other HS division. New Kent vs Staunton River first Rd plz or thank you. I think winner of that dual could make the finals unless they have Nazareth on their side of the bracket...Grassfield is going to ruffle some feathers. I'd like to see how they stack up against the top dawgz in VA! Would love to see a matchup with them or I'm a VA homer so I root for the good guys, but being a realist...I'll say the PA guys take the cake
Pick: Nazareth over Cannon-McMillian
Townbank HS Division: There's some out of state talent here that I dont know much about. But teams from PA, NJ, SC, VA make up this division. Hopefully we see a matchup between Eastern View and Orange County as I believe they are the two top DAWGZ in 4A. Skyline and Great Bridge had a close dual last week so if they meet again it could be a coin flip. Mike Benzel ALWAYS has kellam ready for the duals(talking from experience...
Honestly...my prediction here is a shot in the dark.Pick: Bethleham Liberty over Orange County.
One random note I wills share before signing off for the week...This week was a disaster with events getting cancelled. I talked with a SAVVY coach over the weekend. He prepared for this. He knew the new 5 event rule would put them in a bind at some point. So before the season - he put six events on his calendar in case of an emergency. Smart move by a veteran coach.
