REMATCH HAS POST-SEASON IMPLICATIONS
by the Grand Poobah
Heading into the 2010 season, The Smashinistas knew that the competition was going to be fierce in the battle for the top spot in ARRG.
Not only did they see that their quad counterparts - the Stunt Devils and the M-80s - restock their line-ups, but they also had numerous holes in their own line-up to fill due to the retirement of nine skaters from the 2009 Smashie roster.
For this young squad, the road travelled has not been easy in their first two bouts of the season.
But they’ll be the first to admit that do not want any sympathy from the ARRG faithful - they actually enjoy the challenge.
And they plan to tackle their biggest challenge of the season at the All-American Sports Mall this weekend.
The Smashinistas (0-2) battle the M-80s (1-2) this Saturday night in bout five of the ARRG 2010 season. Doors open at 7 pm. Bout time is 8 pm.
In this re-match, The Smashies look to avenge an 87-71 loss to the ladies in red back in February- a contest which saw the camo-clad skaters claw their way back from a 41-point second-half deficit to pull within close range of the M-80s.
A lesson was learned that night - and the Smashinistas do not plan on having history repeat itself.
“We’re going to be more prepared and take the bull by the horns in the first half,” said Smashie co-captain Punches Pileup said of the first matchup. “We really hit our stride in the second half (of that bout). We’re going to have to get our engines revved a little bit earlier.”
And to their credit, they did in their next match-up against the defending league champion Stunt Devils. Yet, the overwhelming disadvantage in unit experience was a little too much for the Smashies.
Now with a little extra team practice under their skates, this spunky group is poised to make an impact.
Smashie jammer The Educator will bring school to session Saturday night. Her A+ 41-point performance against the Stunts in bout three of the season made ARRG Nation pay attention in class. She netted 21 against the M-80s earlier this year.
Downtown Dallis
Combined with Pileup, who scored a personal best of 32 in the February showdown, and Downtown Dallis, with her 14-point scoring average, a very energetic power trio will take to the floor offensively for the Smashinistas.
Also look for potential scoring from Shillelagh Spillblood, who has been recently donning the star on the helmet a little more frequently in practice.
But perhaps the ones who will serve as the true catalyst of the machine will be the blockers up front. Co-captain Eli Wallop looks to provide her all-star muscle while Jezebelle - a bout MVP winner earlier this season - and veterans Davey Blockit and SueShe provide additional help.
Jezebelle
Two new Smashies are also potentially in the mix as well - the recently-drafted Rock Steady and The Forecloser could make their All-American debuts Saturday.
If anything, this group of skaters has learned a lot as a collective unit in a short amount of time. This will be a much better team than what we saw in their initial match-up three months ago.
Meanwhile The M-80s have one objective in mind - win at all costs. And there’s a golden ticket dangling in front of them.
A win this Saturday will give the firecrackers on quads an automatic championship berth.
It’s been an emotional ride for the M-80s this season - one that has seen numerous peaks and valleys.
Black Market Baby
And through all the turmoil, there’s been some outstanding performances. Jammer Black Market Baby has put together a banner year statistically - including a team high 21 points against the Smashies in February.
Jammer Enya Nightmare- who missed the first Smashie/M-80 bout due to a league suspension - has returned to the track with a vengeance. Keligula - on the shelf earlier this season with an injury - is back in the fold offensively and has looked solid. Joltin’ Josie and Joanie Rollmoan have provided some much-welcomed scoring, as well as newly-acquired Mighty Mighty Boston - who made many take notice in Cincinnati a few weeks back.
The Siege
And then there’s The Siege….’nuff said.
However, keeping in tune with their tumultuous theme this season, the M-80s will be without two key components Saturday - and for the rest of the season.
Both blocker Suri O’ Killer and jammer Chokehold Chanel No. 5 will be out of the line-up, and although they’ll be there in spirit - the intangibles they bring to the track will still be sorely missed.
This announcer never likes to make predictions. As we’ve seen through the season so far, the only thing to expect in ARRG is the unexpected.
However, there is only one truth that will be discovered after the clock has expired this Saturday - one team will be handed its third loss.
And that’s something that neither team wants.
An attendance of 1,000+ were treated an emotional bout when these two teams faced each other in February.
I wouldn’t expect anything less this Saturday night.
ARRG ALL-STARS MOBBED BY MUSIC CITY
by the Grand Poobah - Statistical Info from the Nashville Rollergirls’ Twitter feed. Photo by Bob Dunnell.
When conducting research on “Official State Songs of Tennessee” to incorporate into the following story, one of the witty ditties discovered was “The Tenneessee Waltz,” which was adopted by the 84th General Assembly in 1965.
Seemed like a good idea.
The state-endorsed song - sung in the first person - recounts a fella introducing his true love to a friend as the waltz was being performed.
As the song progresses lyrically, the friend proceeds to steal the true love away from our hapless singer, who concludes the depressing tale with agonizing despair.
And in a very similar scenario, the ARRG All-Stars had something snatched away by another this weekend past weekend in Nashville - a victory.
The Music City All-Stars defeated St. Louis 115-82 in WFTDA-sanctioned action Saturday night at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Sports Arena.
With the win, Nashville improves to 4-0 on the season and moves up one spot to #17 in the Derby News Network’s Top 25 Power Rankings.
This bout proved to the toughest of the year so far for Music City, as ARRG used early-bout momentum to build a 43-42 lead at halftime.
Both teams slugged it out down the stretch. ARRG posted a 72-70 edge midway through the second half.
Then Nashville popped the locals with a huge offensive rush. Music City would go on to outscore ARRG 45-10 for the remainder of the bout.
The ARRG All-Stars - now 1-4 on the season - continue travel play on May 22-23 at the two-day, 20-bout Midwest Brewhaha in Milwaukee.
I promise now to issue a self-imposed moratorium of incorporating state songs into derby stories…although “On, Wisconsin” does have a much happier ending.
ARRG TEAM SET TO “RACE FOR THE CURE” IN JUNE
Continuing our community outreach efforts in 2010, ARRG has recently announced the formation of a team to participate in the 2010 Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, to be held in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, June 12.
The Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. Of the net proceeds raised locally from the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, a minimum of 25% goes to national breast cancer research and up to 75% stays in St. Louis to help organizations provide breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs.
Last year, ARRG raised $2,700 - this year our goal is $3,500! As of Monday, May 3, we have reached 18% of our goal! Thanks to your support and donation, you’ll help us achieve that goal and continue our streak of successful community outreach projects in 2010.
To join our team and to make a donation, visit the ARRG team page.
And by all means - come walk the 5K with us on June 12 and show support to those who have courageously fought and continue to fight this disease!
The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the 2010 season of the Arch Rival Roller Girls. Check back in this section on Mondays for the latest in ARRG news/information.
