VFWars or VirusFree Wars

By Kevkris

VFW Tourney 10/21 - 22

VFW Tournament - The last major tourney of 2006..  I know I was looking forward to this tourney because it was the first major tourney playing up a grade and the opportunity to play new teams (i.e. San Jose).  But unfortunately the cold/flu/bronchitis bug hit the team hard this weekend.  Kristen had the flu and Kris had a fever/bronchitis (not strep throat thank goodness) and both did not play all weekend and Emiko/Courtney/Lauren were all not feeling well Saturday but played their hearts out.

Game 1 vs Venice Angels - The girls got a bad draw in the 1st round going against Venice, who are currently in 2nd place in the SBY Gold Division.   But regardless the girls really had a great chance for the win in this game.  The Venice team is one scrappy, aggressive man to man defense team led by a pretty good, quick PG.  While the man to man defense and full court press hurt our girls, they still broke the press well enough and had layup opportunities (unfortunately they needed to convert just 1 more layup).  Kayla kept the Tigers in the game the first half with some nice baskets.  Venice built a 4 - 5 point lead in the 2nd half behind some 3 point shots but the girls came back strong at the end and had several opportunities to win the game in the closing seconds but ball just didn't drop.  Final score was Venice 21 - Tigers 20.  I think this team is very beatable and our girls showed they could play with the better 6th grade teams even being short handed.  Bring on the Waves and Titans..

Game 2 vs. San Jose Ninjas - I wasn't able to attend this game with Kris at home sick.  But with the Tigers winning 42 - 12... 'nuff said.  I was told Emiko had a monster game and seemed to feel much better than in the morning.  Oh, I did get to brag to my buddy in San Jose that we kicked some NoCal bum....  Anyway I hear they couldn't handle the girl's press which is becoming pretty decent...  Great game girls!

Game 3 vs. San Jose Samurais - I thought of bringing my broom for the NoCal sweep but why be rude to our neighbors from the north.  Let's see.. Giants, 49ers, Warriors, okay I should have brought my broom out.  The Samurai team was very tall but again the girls applied great pressure with the press which caused them problems.  The girls worked the ball well on offense and the benefit of the open mid-range shots was Jodi, who was "in da zone!" in the 1st half.  Behind Jodi, the girls opened up a huge lead at half.  In the 2nd half everyone seemed to have some fun out there - Shelby, Emiko, Erica, Kayla all got in the act.  Good job by Lauren and CC too getting some shots up.  Final score was Tigers 40 - Samurais 14.  Oh, I contacted my friend again up north... :)

I did get to talk to a parent of the Samurais and he wants to invite our team up to play in their tourney.  Not sure when that is.  He was a nice guy and he really was impressed with our girls.  Given their height, this team should be pretty good in the future...

Anyway, great tourney girls!  Only 2 points from making the championship game.  Kris was really disappointed she could not play, especially watching the San Jose game and seeing all the open mid range shots available...Next up, back to SBY league games against FOR Sparks.  Big team which may surprise.