Thursday, July 10, 2008

Stars & Stripes Pre Bout Writeup

Stripes
MS. TREATMENT -CAPTAIN
DOMIN8TRIX -CO-CAPTAIN
BLINDSIDE
CHAINSAW CHIC
CLAUDIA VAN DAMAGE
DIXIE CUPPS
EL POLLO MUERTA (BLASPHAMY)
IVANA B SEDATED
JEKYLL AND HEIDI
MARY CHOPPINS

PRIVATE BEENJAMMIN
ROSIE THE RIBHITTER
SICK NICK
DAILEY BEATINGS (INJURED)
LULU LOCO (MAY NOT SKATE)
PRINCESS PROZAC (INJURED)
PUNITIVE DAMAGE (INJURED)

Stars
TEX OFFENDER -CAPTAIN
DEATH BY CRACKER -CO-CAPTAIN (CHICKEN)
BRAT POISON
CREEPING BEAUTY

HOLLA PAIN YO
HOT WAD (HOT ROD)
LUANIMAL
MAJOR MAYHEM
QUEEN OBSCENE
RAVEN KNOCKAHOE
REBEL ANN
TEMPESTUA
WRECKHELL WELCH
CHEWCIFER (INJURED)
DOUBLE TREBLE (INJURED)
MATA SCARI (INJURED)
SCARLET O'HURTYA (INJURED)

Both teams have skaters that are alternates for HaRD Knocks, so the exact roster might change before Sunday.

Just reviewing the rosters it looks like each team is equally matched. I see at least 3 capable jammers on each team. It looks like the Stripes are a little heavy on strong blockers. I color coded each player according to her team above. Let's look at the tally per team:

.Stripes / Stars
SIRENS 5 / 2
BOSSES 3 / 5
BRAWLERS 2 / 5
BETTIES 3 / 1

OOoohhh... look at that... the Stripes are Siren heavy, and the Stars are a combo of Boss/Brawler heavy. That's a good mix to have.

Any good team needs a strong leader. Someone to push the team in the same direction. I think Tex is a very capable captain, as proven many times. This will be a test for Ms T, but one that I think she'll pass with flying colors. Anyone that knows her respects her. She sets the pace, and never gives up. Her team will follow and skate hard up until the very last whistle.

On the Stripes team I see that PBJ is back, and she'll be aching to get out there and prove to herself and her team that she is back with a vengeance. Like I said before this team looks blocker heavy- these girls like to hit and I don't see them backing away from their home team teammates out on the track. And this strong defense might be just what MsT needs to really play her best and score those points as jammer.

On the Stars team I see Holla Pain Yo being put into the lineups as jammer very often. And even though I don't see this team as being as blocker heavy as the Stripes, they are Pivot heavy. With Tex, Death by Cracker (aka Chicken), Creeping Beauty, and Rebel Ann all being known for their Pivoting skills, this is the team that will be setting the pace for every single jam.

Bouts like this are an opportunity for each skater to shine. To mix it up, and be put into a different environment is good for the individual. Instead of being stuck in a certain position and not utilized, each Star and Stripe will be expected to grow as an athlete and bring something to the track that otherwise is rarely asked of them.

Of course I will be cheering for both teams, and I wouldn't put money on either one. This will not be a competitive bout for ranking, but a fun bout where each girl really has nothing to lose, and everything to gain by putting it all out there and really letting it rip.

The Texecutioner vs HaRD Knocks bout will be spectacular, no doubt. But I also expect some amazing plays by these two topsy-turvy teams.

Elle McFierce
ps- I'll probably be announcing for this bout. I had a great time announcing the two Jopa bouts this month. I'll be a back up announcer as the need arises. That reminds me that I miss the Colonel's Pod Casts!

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