The Monday Snitch: May 13
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled Corey Osto's name as Korey. We apologize for this error.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of the IQA.
1st Quidditch Lunatica Tournament
Paris Frog (Paris, France) and the Milano Meneghins (Milano, Italy) traveled almost to the tip of the Italian boot to play the hosts, Lunatica Quidditch Club (Brindisi, Italy), in the first Quidditch Lunatica Tournament. The tournament took place on May 4th and 5th and the format was a double round robin. The first round had a 12-minute seeker floor with games lasting up to 25 minutes. Round Two was played using overtime snitch rules (no off-pitch snitching) but with a 5-minute seeker floor. Games in the second round were shorter and lower-scoring. Ben Morton, captain of Keele and UK Quidditch, and QuidditchUK chairman, snitched every game of the tournament. Said Morton, "I did snitch every game. It was incredibly fun. Fortunately it was not until the adrenaline left my system that I realized just how tired and 'quinjured' I was."
Photo courtesy of Paris Frog Quidditch.
Paris Frog, a very physical and tough defensive team, won the tournament, going 4-0 and only allowing 20 quaffle points the entire tournament. The captains of both Milano and Lunatica cited Paris Frog's bludger control as a major aspect of their fantastic defense. When they had bludger control, Paris Frog's beaters played conservatively, always staying back on defense. Two armed beaters plus a rugby-style chaser defense made scoring on Paris Frog nearly impossible. Morton, who travels throughout Europe for quidditch, remarked that Paris Frog has improved greatly since the European Regionals: "Their teamwork and fitness is of rival to any team I have seen. Stopping this team from winning the tournament would've been a near impossible feat."
Photo courtesy of Paris Frog Quidditch.
Milano Meneghins went 1-3, losing to Frog twice and going 1-1 against Lunatica. Milano is considered by many to be the best team in Italy right now due to their strategy and tactics. Milano captain and IQA European Expansion Team Manager Michele Clabassi was happy with the way his team played. He noted, "What we did well, I think, was limiting the physicality of our opponents... and answering it with teamplay."
This was Lunatica's first time competing in a tournament, and their opponents were experienced teams that placed second and third at the European Regionals in October. Prior to the final match of the day, Lunatica was 0-3. To earn their first win, Lunatica caught the snitch in regulation and overtime for an 80*^-70 win over Milano. Team captain Andrea Miglietta said, "I'm happy about the debut of my team, considering the strength of our opponents. I'm especially proud of how we reacted after the first 3 defeats, earning a win in our fourth match."
Photo courtesy of Paris Frog Quidditch.
2013-2014 West
The following is republished from the author's blog with permission.
Outlook
UCLA is going to be a completely different team next year. UCLA has long been known for superb beating led by Asher King Abramson and Kara Levis, execellent female chasers such as Vanessa Goh and Missy Sponagle, and great passing with players like Alex Browne, Jeff Lin and Jake Tieman. All of the aforementioned players will be gone next year. New recruits are going to have to step into the shoes of some of the best players to ever take the pitch. Quality role players, who gave UCLA the depth any team needs to reach the World Cup finals will also be departing. So, what familiar faces will put on a Bruins jersey next year?
Let's start with Zach Luce. Luce was dominant at the World Cup, scoring 70 points against Baylor in the semifinal. Luce drives to the hoop at will, weaving through the defense. He can create his own scoring chances, and his shot is very accurate. I think we can expect UCLA's half-court offense to be a lot of Zach Luce. Corey Osto and Katelynn Kazane will also be offensive contributors. On defense, Adam Richardson should return to being UCLA's primary point defender.
Zach Luce defends the UCLA hoops against a Texas Quidditch chaser during the World Cup VI finals. Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Photo Editor.
USC had a lot of trouble with injuries this past season, but I think they have developed an amazing three-some of male keepers/chasers. August Lurhs, David Demarest and Harrison James are big, physical and know the game. The Big Three keep getting more experience and if they can add role players around them, USC will be favorites at WCVII and WCVIII. You see, Lurhs and Demarest will only be juniors next year and James will be a sophmore.
USC also needs the Big Three to lead the team. Captain Nicté Sobrino, who has my vote for captain of the year, is graduating. There is also the slim possibility that the Trojans could lure Remy Conatser back to quidditch and the Big Three could become the Big Four.
The community teams in California are perhaps the best in the world. The Lost Boys and the Silicon Valley Skrewts have already established themselves as elite community teams and the biggest challengers to UCLA and USC, but expect the Santa Barbara Blacktips to join that league. Led by captain Evan Bell and chaser Michael Montgomery, 2013-14 could be the Blacktips' breakout year. Our first look at the Blacktips in a while will come May 18th at the Beachside Brawl.
The Santa Barbara Blacktips prepare for a brooms up during the Claremont Colleges Classic. The team made their debut during this tournament in November 2012. Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Photo Editor.
Rising Star
I wouldn't expect a back-up keeper playing behind August Lurhs to get that many minutes in his sophomore year, but Harrison James will. James' specialty at World Cup was defense. He is an outstanding shot blocker and nearly impossible to score on. When opposing teams would center their strategy completely around Lurhs at WCVI, USC would take him out and put James in. For James to become a truly elite player, he needs to improve his passing and field awareness on offense. I'd also expect James to log some minutes at chaser next year.
Harrison James plays keeper during the Hollywood Bowl Tournament. Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Photo Editor.
Team To Watch
Sierra College intrigues me. They were widely praised after attending their first major tournament, the Cinco de Mayo Cup. Sierra was physical but clean and described as great athletes. My hope is that Sierra will make some more appearances at tournament in 2013-14 and improve their strategy, experience and understanding of the game.
Sierra College seeker Daniel Pope goes in for the snitch catch during the 2013 Cinco de Mayo tournament. Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Photo Editor.
Three Questions
Where will UCLA's graduating seniors go? These players love quidditch too much to just forget about it. The question is which community team will they be playing for. If they choose to stay in the Golden State, both the Lost Boys and Skrewts would be eager to welcome them into the red and black.
Can the Big Three stay healthy, recruit role players and lead USC? The future of USC quidditch lies in the Big Three's hands. (Demarest, Lurhs, James) It's up to them to build the program into a juggernaut and they have to stay healthy.
Can the Arizona/Utah teams keep up with California? The first step for these Rocky Mountain teams, is either to travel to more California tournaments, or start hosting/competing against each other more often. The distances they have to travel to play quidditch though are really just unfair.
Prediction
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Lost Boys
