The Continental Pickleball League’s regular season reached the halfway mark on Father’s Day last evening, showcased by 4 marquee match-ups of the area’s finest married athletes. Gentle rains throughout the evening could not quell the thunder and lightning occurring on the court throughout the evening. Here’s how it all shook out:
Match 1: Keck’s vs Van Ham’s
Match 1 of the evening was kicked off by a match-up featuring the Keck’s taking on the Van Ham’s. Both teams stormed the court with the Keck’s looking ready to roll and the Van Ham’s (at least Mark) looking a little weary from the #BenWaitingOnHannah festivities from the night prior. It didn’t take long for Scott and Stephanie to build a sizable lead and Game 1 11-3. Game 2 was a little more competitive with Kelly getting some nice shots in for Team Van Ham when given the opportunity and Mark covering all over the court with his impressive Dutch Defense. In the end though, Scott’s power combined with Stephanie’s consistency proved too much to overcome as the Keck’s took Game 2, 11-8 to remain undefeated in league play.
Match 2: Donaldson’s vs Horstman’s
Match 2 of the evening pitted the undefeated Donaldson team against the Horstman team still searching for their first match win of the year. Despite the difference in records, this match proved to be anything but a mismatch. With the Duchess Kelly C, undefeated herself as a ringer, filling in for Dawn something was going to give. Game 1 saw the Donaldson’s storm out to a 5-0 lead with some nice serves and tricky placement by Sarah. Kelly and Neil would comeback to tie it with a combination of power and finesse with their serves and returns at 5 a piece. A brief interruption caused by some rainfall required athletes to clear the court and move the extra entertainment for the fans indoors. When action resumed, it was Team Donaldson who would take Game 1 by a final count of 11-7. Game 2 was all Team Horstman, however, rushing out to a 7-1 lead and finishing off Game 2 by a 11-3 margin. The pivotal Game 3 went back and forth with some great play by both sides and all 4 athletes. Neil’s spinning ball control gave Team Horstman a slight edge in the beginning. However, Sarah came through with some tricky short shots and serves and propelled Team Donaldson to the Game 3 win 11-8 to take the match and remain amongst the league leaders in the standings.
Match 3: Keck’s vs. Wagner’s
Never one to back down from a challenge, the Keck’s volunteered to fill in to play a doubleheader taking on the Wagner’s for the second time this year. The first match-up went in Favor of Team Keck while The Duchess Kelly C was making her league debut, filling in for a working Stephanie K. Game 1 saw great back and forth action with Juice and Scott taking turns controlling the net up close while Sarah and Stephanie trading equal impressive shots as well. The back and forth action of thunderous slams and lightning-quick reaction was stuff that would air better on ESPN than any type of corn-hole tournament. A little run in the middle vaulted the Keck’s to the lead and they held on to win Game 1 11-6. The teams switched sides and the intensity took it up an even greater notch. Game 2 was again a very tight bout with the teams swapping leads and tying the game several times throughout. Game 2 ended with a score of 11-9 in favor of the Keck’s, keeping them undefeated and leapfrogging the teams in front of them to the top spot in the standings.
Match 4: Brown’s vs Morgan’s
Fresh off of the IR-list, Catlyn Moran was making her eagerly anticipated CPL debut in a heavyweight fight versus the vaunted Team Brown. Unlike 1/2 of Team Van Ham, #BenWaitingOnHannah festivities did not appear to inhibit the action of either team here as action got started. Chelsea, admittedly not as angry as last week, was still able to land some power shots with Kurtis controlling the net and the Brown’s took Game 1, 11-2. Game 2 would be a little more back and forth as the team chemistry and feng shui on Team Morgan grew exponentially, as did the hilarity of comments being made on the court. Game 2 was literally wild with vagabond cats storming the court to escape the showers outdoors drawing the dismay of many. Once the rubbish was forced from the playing surface, Game 2 concluded with the Brown’s ahead 11-6 giving them the match to get back on track after last week’s fall to the Winkle’s. Watch out for Team Morgan in the coming weeks though. They will be a force to contend with.
Bonus Match: Father’s Day Spectacular
With the relatively light schedule last evening, an opportunity arose for the Dad’s to celebrate their special day through an All-Star bout with a testosterone-filled fun match where two of CHS’s legendary basketball players, Scott Keck and Kurtis Brown, teamed up to take on a pair of CHS’s iconic soccer stars in Juice Wagner and Neil Horstman. In an epic clash of titanic proportions sweat, skin (I hope your shin is okay Juice), and even more sweat covered the floor in a terrific match for the ages. (Seriously ESPN, Corn-hole? Over this? We are literally trying to give you money/ratings at this point…) Both teams had similar strategies with Brown and Wagner covering the line for both teams with Keck and Horstman providing excellent deep relief. Massive slams, incredible recoveries, and pinpoint accuracy were on full display as the Father’s duked it out for bragging rights. Both games proved to be tightly contested, however it was the Soccer Stars who would ring triumphant winning Games 1 and 2 11-6 and 11-8, respectively to conclude the evening.
On a serious note, Happy Father’s Day to all league members and anyone finding enjoyment in our weekly recaps! A full docket is in store once again next week as CPL rages on! Feel free to stop out and enjoy the action and friendship Sunday evening!