Hey y'all. As you can probably see, Ben now has a blog and admin power on eastultimate.org. Let the reign of terror begin.
Seriously though, I do have some points that I would like to make with this thing, in general and this evening specifically.
First, I've got to address the Open team after the results of today's game. How good does that feel, boys? I know I may speak for myself, and only myself, but after the game against Creek, and my performance in particular, I needed that game badly. That's not to say, of course, that it was perfect. Our offense in the first half was really, really sloppy, so, naturally, it was a turnfest. I'm going to tell you right now, if we want to have a prayer against CA-A in, oh, two weeks, we're going to need to be a lot tighter than that on offense. Our defense too, could use a little bit of work, Monarch scored a couple points that we should not have allowed them to, but we're not lacking in intensity or expertise, our D just needs to click into place a little bit more. Overall though, excellent game from all of you, lots of sick bids, nice throws, and just all around balling.
Then there's the Mixed team. I hear tell that things didn't go so hot for you. Don't let it get you down. It was inevitable that one school put up a mixed team that would have all the super-athletic ballers that would act as stars of their Open team, a team that probably spent most of the time completely ignoring their girls. Screw that, we don't play that game, and if we lose to it, then so be it. East Mixed has always played a balanced game, a game that heavily utilizes our girls, who, in case any of y'all needed reminding are, now more than ever, huge ballers who I would gladly put up against any other youth women's team in the state and watch them lay the smackdown. If any of you who played in that game are angry about any of it, the result, the style of the team facing you, whatever, don't let it get you down, don't internalize. Use that. Use that and get ready to play a tough, balanced, intense game next time you meet them and inevitably put the goddamn hurt on.
However, there is one thing (and I know this is shaping up to be a long post, I'll try and keep them shorter in the future) that probably does need to be addressed, in some form. From what I understand, there was that crucial element of fire missing from most of the proceedings. It's not criticism, not pointing the blame when I say that that absolutely cannot happen. East is a team that thrives on pure intensity, that often falls apart when we're lacking that spark. And I know it's hard, playing in the middle of nowhere without your captain (a pretty huge disadvantage in itself, especially when the captain is so intensely involved in every aspect of Mixed's game, both on field and off) against a team that doesn't play the game that we know. Y'all have just got to reach down and use whatever intensity you've got left. I truly believe East can beat any team that comes against them. Not easily, necessarily, but we are capable, we are always capable. Remember that, and remember to use everything you've got in you, be it anger, be it happiness, be it anything, and channel it into every aspect of your game, your defense, offense, sideline. It can only help.
Finally (one last thing, I promise), we've got a team party tomorrow night, at Rhys' house. I know it's probably too late to get any of you to go who weren't already planning on it, but I figure I'll try. This team hasn't quite gotten the team aspect right off the field. Looking back at last year, by the end, we were a damn close team, and I think it would a shame if anyone playing this year were robbed of that experience. So please, come, hang out, eat some food (if finances and weather are cooperative, I am more than willing to man the barbecue). I promise, we don't only play video games. It'll be a good time, a chance to get to know those of your teammates that you might not know so well already. Those of you who do read this, try and spread the word to everyone you can. Let's have some fun, eh?
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