EvenSquash

06 November, 2017

RESULTS - NOV 4 Sat Squash SMASH Tourney

There were none

and then there were some

GAME ON

We weren't sure there was going to be enough payers to even have a Saturday morning SMASH tourney. At one point it was canceled at the last minute because we only had two players... then Assam walks in and ropes 3 guys that were ready to leave into playing a few more games! Those 3 players, plus Assam, plus the two that were already there pushed us over the minimum 6 players. GAME ON!
1. Paul D. (3.5) - $72
2. Muhammad J. (3.0) - $28
3. Mario de M. (4.5) - $20
Nadeem C. won the $25
Marlow's Tavern Gift Card

It all played out in about 1.5 hours and at the end of that, Paul D. (3.5) was standing alone. Paul has played in a few SMASH tourneys but this is his first time finishing in the money... and even better - winning! It wasn't all easy because he had to go up against some serious competition. His first match was with Nadeem C. (2.5), who is pretty new to squash but still can manage a racquet and not to be underestimated. Nadeem put up some great pressure but it wasn't enough to keep Paul down. Paul's next match was against a tiger! The tiger was named Assam J. (5.5.)! Paul has felt Assam's true competitive speed in other SMASH events so he knew this was going to be nerve racking. But Paul kept it together, waited for Assam to make an error or two, and then take the points when he could. Paul pulled that one out and pushed Assam into the losers' bracket. But what's worse than playing a tiger? How about the father of a tiger!? For realz! Paul had to play Assam's father, Muhammad J. (3.0) who knows a thing or two about squash... but Paul was able to keep the wheels on through some tough rallies and muscle through. Paul held on to the winner's bracket. Muhammad went down into the Loser's bracket and clawed his way back to the finals where.... he had to face Paul again in the finals. It was closer this time but in the end, Muhammad ran out of steam, and the outcome was the same. Congratulations to Paul D. (3.5)!

There were a lot of fun matches - Like when Kashif A. (3.5) went up against Muhammad J. (3.0) in the first round. Both players had never played in an EvenSquash Handicapped tourney before but have played each other frequently. They though this was going to be another fun game until they realized that... the handicap was going to make it very close. Assam J. (5.5) went up against Mario de M. (4.5) with some long rallies and tight matches where both players were on game ball points. Mario eventually knocked Assam out and advanced. Mario then played Kashif. Did I mention that Kashif had been working out since 7am? This was Kashif's last match, he knew he was spent, and he played it smart, forfeited instead of risking injury. Mario and Muhammad then battled it out to see who would face Paul in the finals. Mario took 3rd.

There was a lot more action - too much to write - Next time get there!

Check below for all the pics and vids and bonus commentary.

The next SMASH Tourney will be held 11am Saturday Nov 11 at Lifetime Fitness. Registration is open! Online Squash SMASH Tourney Registration Form. You can see all upcoming SMASH events on the SMASH Tourney Schedule.

Check the side bar for the latest Squash SMASH Tourney's Winner's Circle and other info about the EvenSquash handicap system and tournaments.

Until the next event, you can always follow along with live updates and latest info on Twitter @EvenSquash, Facebook @EvenSquash, Instagram @EvenSquash. And you can always add your email address (see the left side bar) to get emails about the latest posts.

Game on!
- Bob -

Muhammad J. (3.0) vs Paul D. (3.5) (in shorts)

This is a quick look at how the finals went... tired and serious or seriously

Muhammad J. (3.0) vs. Kashif A. (3.5)

Yes Let? Video replay comes in handy

Mario de M. (4.5) vs. Assam J. (5.5) (white shorts)

It looks like Mario is doing all the work....

Paul D. (3.5) (shorts) vs Nadeem C. (2.5)

Paul learns that Nadeem will put it away if given the chance

Muhammad J. (3.0) vs Kashif A. (3.5) (white shirt)

...some short rallies...

Kashif A. (3.5) vs Mario de M. (4.5) (blue shirt)

First round match... working the kinks out....

Muhammad J. (3.0) vs Mario de M. (4.5) (blue shirt)

.... like the old saying, "two ships passing after a hard rally..."

Kashif A. (3.5) vs Muhammad J. (3.0)

On your toes!

27 October, 2017

SUGARLOAF - NOV 4 - Sat 11am - 1:30 Squash SMASH Tourney!

First time ever at

Lifetime Fitness - Sugarloaf Parkway

Squash SMASH Tourney!
Play new people Play under pressure

Play on different courts Home courts for locals

Get some squash fun!

On Saturday, November 4, at 11am, Lifetime Fitness - Sugarloaf (Lawrenceville) location will host a Squash SMASH tourney. All players of all skill levels are welcome. This is just like the squash SMASH tourneys in Atlanta ... just in Sugarloaf... and not Atlanta....

$20 entry fee - Cash only. Pay when checking in.
Cash prizes - Payouts for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and maybe 4th ... and maybe some other loot too.
Handicapped, mixed skill level play - Completely random draw - Anyone can play anyone!
Double elimination - Even if you lose your first match you can still fight back to win the whole thing!
Matches are best 3 games - Fast and fun matches. Event should last about two hours.

Sign up here --> Online Squash SMASH Tourney Registration Form

Bring your $20 cash entry fee!

The entry fee is collected at player check in.

Pro-tip: To catch your breath after a long rally, "Wait - Don't serve yet - I think broke a string..."

- Bob -

23 October, 2017

RESULTS - OCT 21 Sat Squash SMASH Tourney

We all know Maverick beat
Iceman in TOPGUN...

... but in SQUASH TOPGUN...

Icewoman won!

Congratulations Leslie B. (2.5)

She's a first time SMASH player and a first time winner. How'd she do it? Some might say beginners' luck others say she kept a cool head against some very intimidating players, calmly looked for opportunities to take, and patiently waited for them to make mistakes. Leslie went against some solid players like Nicholas G. (3.5), who I believe is 13 years old but owns a squash court like an seasoned athlete, but he was new to the SMASH format and the new kind of pressure that Leslie had in store for him. They played out three tight games before Leslie put him down into the losers' bracket. She then took on Fong Y. (4.5), who has played in many SMASH tourneys and is ranked #12 on the all time winners' charts, but even though he was able to pressure Leslie with hard serves, it cost him with the occasional mistake. Leslie beat Fong by waiting for opportunities and surprising Fong with unexpected winners. She then would face Rameez A. (4.0), who knows what he's doing on the court and is a solid player, but he didn't keep the ball far enough away from her and she was able to execute it. The Rameez vs Leslie scenario played out twice because she beat him the first match pushing him down into the losers' bracket only to beat him again with the same plays in the finals. Congratulations to Leslie B. (2.5) by taking the first place prize of $108 of everyone's cold hard money!

1. Leslie B. (2.5) - $108
2. Rameez A. (4.0) - $52
3. Alejandro C. - $20
Rameez A. (4.0) - $25 Marlow's Tavern Gift Card
Assam J. (5.5) - Blue Moon Free Pizza

Final Tourney Bracket - Click to enlarge

TOPGUN SMASH lived up to the hype with 9 great players and an aircraft carrier load of fun. There were some great matches like when Assam J. (5.5) went against Fong Y. (4.5) where Fong had to use all the skills he had to hold back Assam's onslaught. Jeff D. (3.0), a regular to the SMASH tourneys, came in hot and with a purpose, was able to get three solid matches in before being pushed out by Alejandro C. (3.5). Speaking of Alejo, who was #14 on the all time winner's list, just pushed up the list to #9 by taking 3rd place with some very exhausting matches like the ones against Fong and Rameez. Fong Y. (4.5) also had a good run and got to play the full spectrum of players, Leslie B. (2.5), Alejandro C. (3.5), and Assam J. (5.5.).

Paul D. (3.5), who's always a fun player and was here looking for even more fun. Paul didn't know that his first match was going to be against a tiger and he got all the fun he could handle by matching up Assam J. (5.5)'s full power and competitiveness. It was close and even came down to the last point for each player to decide the match. Assam advanced and Paul was pushed down into the loser's bracket to play even match against Alejandro.

Then there's Nicholas G. (3.5), who I thought was going to snap this tourney off because he is such a force in traditional squash tournaments, but he got pushed out early on but did stick around to watch the action and play a few pickups. I'm betting he'll be back and my money will be on him. Johannes D. (2.5) who hasn't played in a while got a refresher on why he loves to play squash. Even though it was a tough Saturday morning, he picked up some great experience.

All in all - it was a great Saturday morning with lots of squash! Thanks again to Marlow's Tavern, Blue Moon Pizza, and Sushi Nami for sponsoring the tourney and special thanks to all the players! Hope everyone had fun!

Check below for all the pics and vids and even more terrible commentary.

The next SMASH Tourney will be held 11am Saturday Nov 4 at Lifetime Fitness - Sugarloaf. Registration is open! Online Squash SMASH Tourney Registration Form. You can see all upcoming SMASH events on the SMASH Tourney Schedule.

Check the side bar for the latest Squash SMASH Tourney's Winner's Circle and other info about the EvenSquash handicap system and tournaments.

Until the next event, you can always follow along with live updates and latest info on Twitter @EvenSquash, Facebook @EvenSquash, Instagram @EvenSquash. And you can always add your email address (see the left side bar) to get emails about the latest posts.

Up and down the wall!
- Bob -