Got Silks?

Carpenter wins Tri-State Championship Title at "Serves for Silks" Charity Tournament

By: Rodney Brown- Zhubál Web Press 

Twenty-one of the sports most generous players participated in Zhubál's very first Charity Tournament on April 2, 2004.  Dubbed "Serves for Silks", the Tournament benefited the Biddeford High School Winterguard in an attempt to diminish the incredibly high dues and fees associated with running an award winning program.  All entrance fees and donations were thankfully accepted by the organization.

The Tournament itself was an elimination style Tournament that had 3 simultaneous Grids taking place in the First Round.  The Champion, Knocker, and Scratcher from each of these Grids moved on to play in the Tri-State Championship Grid.  All of the Participants who were unable to make it through this preliminary round had a chance to play in a Wildcard Grid that would allow one player (champion) to take a place among the Zhubál elite in the final Grid.

Prelim Grid one hosted  Zhubál's most impressive male players.  Cody Cochrane was able to take high honors with his cunning play and a Rockbanger, beating out Brenden Shea and Bryan MacDonald for the title.  Ryan Perreault did not move on from this match even with the grids only other Rockbanger.  His counterpart Paul Perreault faired even worse finishing as first loser with only 9 serves.

Prelim Grid 2 had some of Zhubál's most impressive Female Players. This grid marks the first time that all females have competed against each other for a title.  Veteran as well as a Zhubál Inaugural Player Tara Carpenter, showed how she has lasted so long in this league as a female powerhouse early on in the match, but failed to keep up muster.  Christina Totos and Nicole Jenkins quickly took advantage of the situation and removed Carpenter from the grid with surgical like precision.  Once knocking Rookie Cassandra Peltzman (S, 10 SRV, 4INT, 2ACE), Jenkins and Totos went toe to toe and wrestled for the title.  Totos took her first championship ever with a final score of 11.

Prelim Grid 3 boasted the newest Zhubállers.  This all Rookie Grid was just as exciting as one would expect.  Newcomers like Curtis Wade were throwing themselves after balls to try anything to stay alive.  Impressive play from Ashley Shevenell showed all that even though she is raw now, Season B could be the time were her Zhubál Skill blooms and she becomes a dominate force to recon with.  Despite having 61 serves between them, Bryan Thurston and Matt Stilphen could not hold back the powerful Rookie Force that was Kaitlynn Perreault.  Perreault quietly took the title with 10 Serves and a final score of 13.

Winning the Wildcard Grid was Ryan Perreault, who made up for his previous blunders with an impressive win over Tara Carpenter, scoring 5 straight points on Carpenter in the final progression.  Other notables were Paul Perreault with 23 Serves finishing as Scratcher and Tom LaPointe angrily finishing as the Ringer.  Kori Kaloyares and Randi Valliere didn't put up much of a fight with only 3 serves between the two of them, but still played like champions.

The most breath taking of events of the evening came at the Final Grid with the Tri-State Championship up for grabs.  The final four participants were Cody Cochrane, Bryan Macdonald, Andrew Carpenter, and Mike Whitmore.  Even though all 11 finalist fought like it they were in the final four, only these competitors were able to reach this lofty height without fail.  Cody Cochrane got into early point trouble in his final progression but lasted longer than anyone had imagined as he finished as the Ringer with 27 Serves.  Bryan Macdonald played beautifully in his last progression, but early mistakes cost him.  MacDonald finished with one of the lowest Over Unders (2.82) in the Tournament but managed to leave the Tournament with the Scratcher Position.

The final Battle between Mike Whitmore and Andrew Carpenter was a well fought one.  It was clear to onlookers that the Number 1 and Number 2 ranked participants in league going at one another for the Title.  Whitmore's impressive serve has been more than Carpenter could handle in the past, but tonight Carpenter was able to return.  Once the Serve was won, Carpenter was able to make his move and win the final two points necessary to make him the Victor.

"I may have the Championship, but the BHS Winterguard is the real winner here.  Thanks need to go out to everyone that participated and to those who donated the much needed money to keep the Winterguard going." , Carpenter said "This was anyone's Championship to win.  I just got lucky."

Whitmore turned out to be the lucky one walking away with the Top Prizes that the Tournament had to offer.  Carpenter declined to accept the booty as he is Zhubál's current Commissioner and felt that it was a "conflict of interest".  Finishing in the Knocker position, Whitmore won the Game Zhubáll, 2 Movie Passes for a year, and a Matrix Reloaded DVD.

TRANSFER OF POWERS!

Commissioner Cedes Authority to Carpenter

By: Richard Blast- Zhubál Web Press 

Pending signatures on final paperwork, Zhubál Commissioner James Powers has stepped down as the acting chief of the best *&@$%ing game ever invented.  In a swift but convincing power-play, Zhubál Co-Founder Andrew Carpenter has assumed the role of “Interim Commissioner” until Powers’ original term ends in 2005.  Many Zhubál experts believe that Carpenter will tighten his reins on the sport, wresting almost total control in the hopes of stabilizing what has been termed a rocky reign by the now invisible Powers. 

“He’s been driving the bus for a while now,” states Zhubál Co-Founder Jack Tully.  “At least now it’s official.”  Carpenter long has been one of the sport’s most dominating personalities both inside and out of the grid.  His Zhubál prowess, exemplified by a top-ranked finish in 2003, is only part of the story.  Carpenter has been the driving force behind most changes and improvements in the game, and is widely considered as the creator of modern Zhubál. 

The term of former-Commissioner Powers began with a flurry of activity and much promise, however a great deal of the original glitter has fizzled with the weight and pressure that comes with the job.  Powers was unable to be reached for comment, but many close to him maintain that he has had, and will always have, the best interests of Zhubál at heart. 

Carpenter will assume the role of Interim Commissioner without ignoring his former duties – that of Statistician and Webmaster.  In an effort to give the sport an initial jolt, Carpenter has already formed a committee to review scoring methods and practices, hoping to do away with Zhubál Scoreboards that are thrown out due to serve differentials.  His office also has extended an olive branch to the Zhubál world, placing a suggestion box at the site of the Inaugural Game and Zhubál Hall of Fame in Menasha, WI.

Paul Perrault Pelts Participants.

Perrault wins the Zhubál Titan Open to mark his first Championship Title.

The Grid was quite somber.  Most Participants quiet with anxiety and impatience as they had to wait for Tournament 1 to finish before taking their turn to battle in the Zhubál Titan open on Wednesday.

Little Grid Arena is officially licensed by the ZCCC for Zhubal play, but lacks the facilities for more than one Grid to played at a time.  The ZCCC notified this reporter that the Owners "have no intention of increasing the occupancy size, Grid Arena, or adding locker rooms at this time."

Once the Grid began to heat up, it was clear to see that these competitors were very evenly matched.  With most players ending with serves in the "teens" and Over/Unders under 5.00.

Shining moments in the Grid were Curtis Kendall and his well known ability to score Aces.  Kendall was able to score 9 Aces on 22 Serves in the Match.  His defense suffered greatly though as he did poor in his first and last progressions and ended the Tournament as the 1st Loser with an Over/Under of 3.90.

A player to watch this season is Christina Totos.  This was Totos' second tournament of the season and she was able to fortify her stats with a Ringer Finish and 8 serves. 

Not to be outdone by Totos was Cody Cochrane and Jake Whitaker.  Both Competitors eager to get back in the Grid this season.  They had 13 and 17 Serves respectively and showed a true passion for the game with their fair play and strong awareness.

The shock of the Tournament was performed by Paul Perrault.  Perrault came out with a very strong start staying in the Grid for 27 total serves in his first progression.  This set Perrault up to easily make his way to the Final Four where he was able to eliminate Totos and Ricki Long rather painlessly.

He was in for a fight as he went up against last years' 6th place All-Around finisher, Bryan MacDonald.  Perrault was able to able to endure MacDonald's assault and turn the tide to recover the Serve.  Once in control, Perreault maneuvered MacDonald like a puppet and came away with the win with a final score of 12.

Andrew Carpenter took Full Time Decker responsibility for the match in order to ensure proper written statistics.

Embattled Season Opens with Founder Win

Despite Facility Problems and Tournament Cancellation, Zhubál moves into it's 2004 Season

The official beginning of Season A for any Zhubál Season is January 1st.  Due to scheduling and facility issues, 2004's Season A wasn't able to kick off until Wednesday, January 14, 2004.

A last minute Arena opened up in Biddeford, Maine allowing 10 Participants to battle it out for the right to be 2004's first Champion.  The Tournament was played in Little Grid Arena in Biddeford, ME.  This new arena is old on design.  With a feel of a janitor's closet coupled with dankness, the season's first Grid turned out to be a gritty one.

It was clear from the beginning that Founder and last year's All-Around Champion was the most comfortable adapting to the new Environment.  Andrew Carpenter had staying power as he managed to stay in the Grid past 3 progressions.  A nice opening for the former Champion.  During that time he battled against Former Champions Eric DesRoberts, Sam Belanger, and Mike Whitmore.  Only Whitmore was able to conquer and send Carpenter to the Blocks.

Whitmore lead for almost the Entire Tournament easily handling the other competition as he Rockbanged his way to 33 Serves and an Over/Under of 8.40.

Making her first official Zhubál debut was Nicole Jenkins.  What Jenkins lacked in experience and ability, she easily made up for in subterfuge and guile.  She easily distracted players like Belanger, LaPointe, and Fuller with her feminine wilds.  Jenkins finished in 6th place with 2 Serves and an Over/Under of 2.10.  More than respectable for her first Grid.

 Only  Christina Totos was unhampered by Jenkins wilds as she managed to earn 5th place overall for the Tournament with 7 Serves.  "I just couldn't look away!", Tony Fuller remarked.  A distracted Fulle finished in last place, quickly becoming the first loser with a less than impressive Over/Under of 1.20.  One can only hope that Fuller will refine his workout program to compensate for his lack-luster play.

The Final Four turned out to be a bit of a surprise with Eric Desroberts sitting in the blocks and Tom LaPointe in Grid.  Lapointe managed to Leave as the Scratcher beating out a crowd favorite Josh Stover who finished with 26 Serves.  However there were no surprises when the Final 2 participants went at each other. Mike Whitmore and Andrew Carpenter traded blows for some time until Carpenter was able to lull Whitmore into mistakes and steal the win away.

"I didn't think I would last that long.  I have been working on my stamina in my workouts lately.  I'm glad to see it finally paid off!", Carpenter reflected.

Hopefully the next Tournament scheduled for January 21, 2004 will have the appropriate facilities available.