Archive for March, 2007
Spring Fever or March Madness?
March 1, 2007Yes, it’s that time. All the talk about basketball and the downright highs of the month of March which is all but here. I’m chomping at the bit to cook up something to haggle over. You know that barbershop talk is where some of the most subjective not to mention objective debates occur in the world of sports. For us deaf folks we make use of modern technology. Let’s get to the heart of the notion here.
Starting in the Farwest, some of you don’t know what the story is but a group of mavericks have disassembled the former Farwest Athletics Asssociation for the Deaf. Dynamingles will not be putting their title on the line. The favorite will be Arizona Dessert Fire, featuring David Hamilton and Gerald Brown. They have group of young followers hoping to return the old guards back to the top of the heap once again. Riverside Club for the Deaf led by Mike “Doc” Torres. Doc also has surrounded himself with youth. The two teams look to finish as one and two in the new USADB-FW region. My pick here is AZDF in a nail biter.
In the Northwest Basketball for the Deaf region there appears to be parity up there. Last year Utah Glaziers had put together a bomb squad of elite players which included Robert Roth and Robin Johnson. Both have been searching for the right team for years. This year the Johnson, Roth and Cory Fletcher have jumped ship and joined (ARCD) of Sacramento. Bay Area Club for the Deaf is still one of the favorites. The transition of the trio expects to weaken the Glazier. Look for BACD to return to the top and everyone else vie for second place.
Midwest Athletic Association for the Deaf is another region where parity seems to be an issue. Year in and year out Kansas City seems to win. Led by Ron Wyatt and his clan. Robert Love has joined St. Louis along with Chris Woodside. Omaha have lost the big kid in the middle, Eldin Dorn now with Indiana (GDIC). The prediction here is KC will win it and St. Louis will place second.
Now that I mentioned Dorn I might as well jump to the Central Athletic Association for the Deaf (CAAD). Indiana has been the perennial favorites for the last few years especially since the demise of the old Chicago team. Chicago is back. Only now they will suit up with WSAD-Orange. Kevin Smith, Shawn Stringfellow, and Brenton Holliday take their numerous national championship experience and combine it with some hungry young bucks. They’re hoping to remove the crown from GDIC. Prediction, Brian Bippus and his crew will roughshod through this region. With the national title up for grabs the only thing on the minds of these Hoosiers is winning it all.
Let’s move down south. In the Southwest Basketball Association for the Deaf (SWBAD), Austin Deaf Toros have won the last two years. Over in Dallas the youngsters have put together a strong group with thier sole purpose, end the Toros streak. Okay, I’m in a biased state here. The Toros and reigning MVP, Anton Jackson will win handidly. Dallas and Tulsa will play for second place, no questions asked.
Over in the Southeast Athletics Association for the Deaf (SEAAD), Carolina will be given a run for their money. Another Carolina team, Wilson Athletic Association for the Deaf (WAAD), was put together to oust SEAAD’s greatest club ever. Henry Dorsey and Howard Gilbert have joined forces to put an end to Carolina’s strangle hold on the title. Look for Orlando to play a role in this mix. This will be a region to watch. Prediction, Fred Thompson, Tim Teeters, and Mark Hedrick will walk away with the crown once again.
In the East Athletic Association for the Deaf (EAAD), a new breed of ballers fresh out of college look to upend New Jersey with Dee Brown and Vernon Lane. Washington, D.C., East Zone featuring Robert Haney, Cy Saunders and Matt Johnson. This group went to Indiana and beat up on the old guys of GDIC. Pulled out a close game, winning by 7. This puts them in the forefront as national contenders. Look for them to take the east but not without a fight. New Jersey has a group of veterans that expect to make East Zone earn everything.
Finally, in the Northeast Athletic Assocation for the Deaf (NEAAD), Bridgeport owns this region. Led by Ben Demario and Justin Brooks, this duo will try to get them past the second round at the nationals. Their only competition will be either Vermont or Providence. Both teams don’t possess much firepower. It will be pretty much be a cake walk for BPT.
There you have it. Of course you probably think, “what does he know?” I’m just a measley old writer blogging about everything and anything. It’s time to dance and the parties are about to get under way. I’ve got my ticket to the dance. Do you have yours?
