Welcome back to the world’s most famous skeeball blog, “Jman’s Picks To Click.” Last week, I couldn’t believe how many of you guys actually read the blog at all. But, thanks for the support and I will try to keep it going while talking about as many teams and players as I can. This week will be the same format as last time previewing one key match per night with a roller to talk about on each team and a prediction. I did go 2-1 last week and most of what I thought came true, but there is no way I am gambling on any of these games. Let’s start with…
Tuesday
7:00pm (Front Lane)
We SexSKEE and We Know It (1-3) 3344 pts. 8th place vs. Poundin’ Brewskees (3-1) 3514 pts. 6th place
The match constitutes former skeemates of Eric (Skeedale) and Katie Dale (KJSkee) going against Jess Eisenbeis (The Mayor). To give a little history, the Dales lost a skeemate early in Skeeson IV and Jess came out of skeeball hibernation and helped them get into the playoffs. The Mayor also won 4th Roller of the Year and appeared in the Wild Card Tournament. Now, she has her own team with two rookskees, Peter Mott (Sweet Sauce) and Alex Hemmelgarn (Hemmi). In response, the Dales picked up their own rookskee with another Eric, Eric McClintock (SkeeMac). So, who to watch for out of these 6 players?
Players to watch: We SexSKEE and We Know It’s Peter Mott has been creeping up the individual standings in recent weeks. More importantly, he has been the calming influence to a team that has recovered from its early struggles. For Poundin’ Brewskees, Eric Dale is another underrated player in the league. Last 8 weeks going back into Skeeson IV, his scores have been 326, 345, 348, 294, 342, 350, 333, and 350.
Outcome: We SexSKEE and We Know It appeared to have some momentum building and I think it will carry going into the bye here.
We SexSKEE and We Know It (909), Poundin’ Brewskees (887)
(FRAZ UPDATE
Wednesday
8:00pm (Back Lane)
Kamikaskees (3-0) 2977 pts. 20th place vs. The Tight Skeeholes (2-2) 3488 pts. 6th place
Before I start, I do recognize I am previewing a match involving a last place. But, that’s because they have only played three games. This will be the best match on Wednesday as two teams look to lock in good playoff position. Kamikaskees are one of three teams that can win the day’s division. They have two well experienced rollers in Erin Brown (Skeedazzle) and Steph Ohrt (Steph OG) who represent two of the top six average rollers on this day. Also, they have a steady rookskee roller in Amy Wickett (277 avg.) They have the recipe to make a serious run. The Tight Skeeholes are looking to make it to SKEE-A-PALLOZA after coming close last skeeson. They also have two experienced rollers in Tony Traficanti (Tone Loc) and Andy Georgevich (Ders) with a rookskee in Tom Seeberg (Skeeberg).
Players to watch: Kamikaskee’s Erin Brown is literally a hundo machine. Hundos are something where if you have the touch, then it can’t leave you. This roller has that touch and has always been near the top in the hundo count for as long as I can remember. This skeeson has been no different as she has 52 in three contests. For The Tight Skeeholes, Tony Traficanti accomplished a big feat in Skeeson II winning the High Roller Tournament as a rookskee. His average was 32.97 pts/frame and had 108 hundos that year. Right now, he is trying to find that form again, but has shown some signs in the last two weeks.
Outcome: Anytime you have a week off and try to play again, you worry about rust. It is not a problem for a few teams and I think Kamikaskees are one of them.
Kamikaskees (1000), The Tight Skeeholes (930)
Thursday
8:00pm (Front Lane)
Skeeing is Believing (3-1) 3552 pts. 8th place vs. PEELANDER-SKEE (4-0) 3832 pts. 2nd place
This match features two teams in the playoff picture, but in different situations. PEELANDER-SKEE is trying to catch SKEENAGE MUTANT for the division where the top five seem to have separated themselves. Skeeing is Believing is in a log jam between 6th and 10th like a game of musical chairs. This might be the tightest playoff race I have ever seen. With four weeks left, every point is going to matter for the teams in this position. This match also carries two of the best bank shot rollers in the league. I will introduce them to you.
Player to watch: Heather Fortier (40er) of Skeeing is Believing is a solid and consistent player who leads her team. Expect around a 330-340 game and 12 hundos from her. Also, expect a lot cheering and clapping from her team because it is a ritual that they do for each other, but also for their opponents. It does help give a lot of positive energy throughout the game. Kyle Jones (SkeEli) of PEELANDER-SKEE has literally done just about everything you can think of in this game. He has won a MVSKEE award, league championships, tournaments, etc. It is mainly because he has an automatic bank shot that help with his middle rounds reach anywhere from 35-40 on a consistent basis. Oh yeah, he can hit 14-20 hundos as well. He is the definition of a complete player.
Outcome: Another match that I do see very close, but a lot of firepower will come from PEELANDER-SKEE with Kyle and skeemate Katy Ponte (Pontskee). Katy is fifth in the Thursday standings in scoring average
PEELANDER-SKEE (960), Skeeing is Believing (931)
Also, I wanted to share this lovely rant:
Best of skee to everyone this week!
Jman
