1/2/2013

"OLD SCHOOL" Team Review

Preview: We are in our 17th week in, and placed 5th with 35.5 wins and 24.5 loss record. Since this is my first post, I would like to say how proud I am of our team at this point to be in a situation where we can actually be able to contend for first place.

Summary: Overall today, we had an above average performance. Any other night, we sure would have won if not 4 then at least 3 games; however, we ended up losing 3 and only winning one measly game. To summarize how I feel: not happy in the slightest.

Russ Overton (Avg: 156)
Scores: 170, 179, 192
Overall Grade: A
Review: Nothing really to complain about. Bowled very consistent and got the strikes when needed. Great starts and finished quite strong; however, still lacked focus during the middle of the games. Also, needs to work on getting the 7-8 spare and the 9-10 spare. Other than that, great game and should be able to continue to bowl strong especially how there are no bye weeks.

Roum Evangelista (Avg: 169)
Scores: 209, 172, 109
Overall Grade: C+
Review: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Fabulous bowling the first two games; however, noticed during the middle of the second game, Roum started to struggle but was able to pick himself back up and finished strong. The third game, the score speaks for itself. I gave him a "+" because of how well he was able to bowl the first two otherwise I would have given him a plain C so credit was given there, but when we needed him the most (third game), Roum was not able to pick himself back up; therefore bowling 60 pins below his avg. Roum needs to work on not over thinking things too much and try not to force the ball to get his strikes; two face.

June Wei (Avg: 105)
Scores: 126, 113, 156
Overall Grade: A+
Review: The only person to bowl better than Russ, not due to the scratch total, but mainly due to her best performance up to date, and how she was able to overcome her bowling woes and become consistent all throughout. She still is not spinning the ball, but she is starting to get the idea of hitting the pocket or getting brooklyns. Also, June tends to over think that makes her let go the ball either too early or too late which is why the ball either goes too far to the left or the right. One thing she can do is try flinging the ball in the air and flick the wrist a little harder to apply the spin; something to consider about. Other than that, great performance and couldn't have asked more out of her.

Henry Wei (Avg: 152)
Scores: 194, 142, 157
Overall Grade: B
Review: Although I was able to start off strong, I was not able to find the lanes all throughout the second and third game. Some of the strikes I'll even go as far as saying I got lucky on them. Need to really work on getting the 3-6-10 spare as I keep knocking down the 6-10 pins, but leaving the 3 pin standing. I tend to really over commit to the right side and when I'm not feeling confident hitting the pocket I consistently release the ball more towards the left, which leads me praying for brooklyns than the pocket. Need to find the lane quick in order to have good games = not very good and something to really work on.

Team's Overall Performance: B-
Again, as a team we bowled one of our finest games in our team's history so we shouldn't feel too bad about the 1-3 loss (I'm still pissed). BUT, could it have been better? Definitely! It goes without saying, we all have things to work on and in time, we'll be able to overcome those mistakes and I feel confident we will end up in tip-top shape ready for sweeps when Vegas comes rolling along. Russ made an excellent point on us needing to show more urgency on adapting to the lane conditions. As a team, we just simply suck when it comes to us trying to figuring out the lanes as the games goes on. In fact, one thing I noticed is we take an avg a game and a half to start bowling consistently when we have trouble finding our lanes from the get-go. That just does not cut it, and it puts us in the position to come from behind when it becomes clear it's too late; it's definitely something we all need to work on. One last time, thanks for a good game and yes, we did lose 3 games, but seeing how we are starting to bowl better as a team is definitely something to build on.

Post Notes: As you are already aware, I have changed the lineup. My explanation is quite simple, in the beginning I wanted Roum and Russ to be the aggressors for our team and help us get a substantial lead so that June would not have to feel the pressure to bowl great every single night. That has not happened thus far and out of the 17 games we have played thus far, only a handful of times when we did not need her scores to win matches. So I've decided to switch the lineup having Roum go back to the anchor position and apply the pressure on him to bowl consistently every night. Jiyoon will bowl first and hopefully she'll set the tone early and help us get the lead. Russ will bowl second and I'm sure he'll excel in that spot. I will move to third and be more aggressive while Roum will back all of us up to make sure where we fail as a team, he will help pick those pieces up. Sorry, Roum ;P.