It is almost spring, and while our winter season are in full force, we’re looking forward to dusting off our cleats! Signups have begun for Softball, Basketball and Soccer. For more details on our outdoor offereings, check out the message board here: http://members.dizzyllamas.com/index.php?topic=1614.0

Spring also brings the Dizzy Llama Bowlarama, and this year is no exception. This year’s tournament is Saturday, April 10th at Lanes and Games in Cambridge. There is a bar and plans are on for a party afterward. For more details on the Bowlarama, check out the signup thread here: http://members.dizzyllamas.com/index.php?topic=1601.0

Finally, keeping on the party theme, The Dizzy Llamas Poker League is closing out their season with a big tournament at Llama Central on Friday, April 9th. There be poker, food and drinks, so even if you want to skip the poker and play some beer pong come on down!

Both the Bowlarama and the Poker Finale are open to everyone and guests are welcomed. No better way to kick off the new season!

Injuries and roster issues plagued the Dizzy Llamas Dodgeball program early this season, ruining potential title contenders. Coming off two straight finals appearances (one championship), Orange started the season with news that Captain Shane Knowles would be having surgery on his knee, then interim captain Sean Morgan hurt his foot with just 3 weeks left in the regular season. In addition, 2009 Llama of the Year Scott Tarentino will be out at least two months with a shoulder injury. Through all of this, Orange finished the season 4th in the league, albeit resulting in a team that will send just 4 players to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Black began the season with just 1 female on the roster, putting them at a game disadvantage before a single game was played. However, veteran Caitlyn Cassara returned to the court to help out her former team. Captain Greg Martinage has had a positive attitude throughout the entire ordeal, and it has paid dividends as his team finished the season strong and clinched the 8th seed for the playoffs.

Speaking of a positive attitude, Blue Captain Joe Tice has been the epitome of cool. His squad was the only Llama team NOT to make the Gold Bracket last season, yet he and his players stayed optimistic en route to a Silver Bracket finals appearance. Blue used that momentum to battle through attendance issues all season, staying in the top half of the standings throughout and stealing the 14th.

Speaking of the top half of the standings, Green managed to stay in the hunt for the Gold Bracket all season despite having 5 of 7 people playing in their very first Dodgeball season. 2nd season player Kessa Coleman played the leadership role on a team full of rookies. Two of those rookies, Spencer Carter and David Twomey, have taken to the game very quickly and look to be future all-stars. A team that was expected to finish near the bottom of the league, Green has stunned many opponents and with the 21st seed (out of 28 teams) are in great shape to battle for the Silver Bracket title.

Of course, the team that has battled the most adversity has definitely been White. The team began the year with 2 no-shows, leaving them with just a 5 person roster. The team also had an injury of their own, as Brooke Lindner broke her finger mid-season, forcing a roster move that sent Elizabeth Swanson from Blue. Through all of the problems, 2009 Dodgeball Player of the Year Tom Boates led his squad to a 25-5 finish over the final 3 weeks and claimed the #1 seed in the upcoming playoffs.

Green will be playing in the Silver Bracket on March 16th, with the rest of the teams battling for the championship in the Gold Bracket on the 23rd. For more information on the upcoming post-season, or results from all the Dodgeball playoff action, visit www.DizzyLlamas.com.

By JZuk
CAC Basketball

Wow… I am bleeding sarcasm when I write to inform all that we saved the best game for last in Week 9 play of Co-Ed 5v5 at Kings this past Wed. night…

Initially I thought The Hands Team was such a vague name…What does it mean?!

Finally, in a quick instance of genius, after downing my last drop of whiskey from my trusty flask to aid me in coping with the activities displayed in final game of the evening, IT came to me!

You all must be called The Hands Team because you “hand” most teams in the league W’s left and right. The standings state you apparently won twice…not on my watch.

I thought The Hands Team actually had a shot at giving DLO a run for their money as I was informed by Dave Claffey prior to the start of the game that DLO’s stars Scott Tarentino and Sean Morgan were done for the season. Scott apparently dislocated his shoulder in a dodgeball game last week? Why does this not surprise me at all…I hope you get well man, I expect to see you eating Co-Ed’s in the spring season for dinner as usual.

An unfamiliar face to me in the gym for this one was Sean Sauza. This dude is a brick house! Other than WOS I honestly do not think any of the other teams in Co-Ed would have an answer to stop this guy in the post and on the boards. Sauza dominated the game in the first half as he dropped 10 of his 19 points. He had success in the low post and on the boards often times mistaking Baklavas as the ball!

I saw HUGE play from both Cynthia Lopez and Eileen Devlin. Lopez and Devlin had their shots working! Lopez usually hits the bank 3, but on Wed. she showcased finessed as she swished a 3 and buried some perimeter shots on the baseline…this all contributed to her 11 point performance – POUND IT!

Devlin was schooling some fools on The Hands Team. She drained two from deep and hit some tough shots as well – 13 points – that’s half the points The Hands Team scored for the game.

Also, out of nowhere I saw impressive production from Mr. Dave Claffey. He started the game extremely hot and finished strong with 16 points. Not only did he score, he also threw out 5 dishes and hustled for 11 boards! Get that triple double SON!

OK The Hands Team…I will try and go easy, but I do have an audience to entertain with these write-ups…it’s only business, nothing personal – famous last words.

Catherine Barry proved once again that she is a legit guard in this league and that she can shoot the J! She dropped half of her team’s first half points…I mean The Hands Team only collected 10 points, but it certainly sounds good to say you scored half of ‘em.

I’m quite confident Brian Murphy loads up on nitrous oxide and Adderall before all games. This dude is so happy all the time, has great spirit…I think he gets excited just to see his teammates take dribbles around the court. MAN – either you are A.) totally hopped up on something and do not realize your team is at often times losing by 25+ B.) you non-stop watch and take motivation from Will Ferrel SNL cheerleading skits or C.) you are just having a blast.

I take it final answer is C.)…but this is debatable.

Murphy hustled all over the place as he ripped down 10 boards.

Now, what else can I say about Baklavas, aka The Greek? He is slowly but surely solidifying his reputation as the bad boy of CAC basketball. That’s pretty impressive man. Not only is he in the running for most Bad Ass of Co-Ed, but he was predicted to gather the most outspoken display of referee criticism in the Lunch League as well. Gee golly, glad I picked you for my squad…as I was predicted to get most T’s and talk the most trash…our powers combined = 0 calls from Bfab.

The Greek did all he could despite not getting some questionable no-calls in the lane. Not sure if Bfab would have given those to you as he may have cited with the infamous “Lazy Offense” to go along with your trademarked “Lazy Defense.” Baklavas erupted in the second half as he lcoked 13 of his 16 points for the game. Unfortunately this was nowhere near enough to contend with DLO.

Baklavas made sure all knew he was unhappy with the officiating. The ref. Warned him he would get T’d up with the next word out of his mouth. Well let me tell you what – Napoleon could learn a few things from The Greek. Rather than laying down and conceding to the ref’s warnings, Baklavas saw this threat as a challenge!? Baklavas won! He opened up his mouth and following through with his promise, the ref gave The Greek a T. Nice work Baklavas!

Between Harrel’s T last week and The Greek’s impressive T this week…we are starting to see some piss and vinegar in this league! C’mon ladies, step up I want some T’s! I think Shannon Barker (SHB) can do it as she gets a little tourettes-like on the court at times.

Final Score: DLO – 64 The Hands Team – 27