Preview

Sweep Across the South Part One

by Ryan Haggard | September 10, 2014

Photo by Alex Gates

The teams of the South are divided into five categories: the Contenders—made up of the top-tier teams in the region; the Challengers—teams that can knock off the Contenders on any given day, but haven’t yet reached the level or consistency of title contenders; the Competitors—middle of the pack squads; the Participants—the bottom tier of the region, and the Recruiters—the region’s dark horses that could surprise some teams.

First we will look at the Contenders.

This group of teams is made up of the South’s elite. These teams are in the top-tier because each team has a system that defines them, and the athletes to make the system work. These teams will play consistently well and are expected to take the gold, silver, and bronze of each South Region tournament that they attend.

Florida’s Finest Flamingos (FF)

In its first year as a community team, Florida’s Finest put itself on the map with its Sweet 16 finish. This season, the Flamingos return with a hunger for more.

Strengths

A Little from Column A, a Little from Column B

Depth is what sets FF apart from the rest of the South. Where other teams may have their superstar or a dynamic duo, the Flamingos boast a trio of quaffle lines that is able to maintain a high level of offensive and defensive play. The quaffle lines are modeled off of World Cup VI finalists University of Texas and UCLA, and every line is as threatening as the last.

Put Me in, Coach!

During the offseason, the Flamingos picked up two additional male beaters in Bobby Padan and Ryan Haggard for a total of four. Thanks to this roster boost, FF will not have to worry about a drop in skill level due to fatigue from the moment brooms up is called to the second the snitch is caught. Look for the male beaters to be highly energetic and maintain a high level of pressure on offense and defense.

Weaknesses

You play for us, right?

Last season, FF played every tournament (with the exception of Swamp Cup and World Cup) with about seven to 10 different players. This year, the roster has been set from the get-go, so while the same 21 players will get to develop more chemistry than last year, they will not have as much opportunity to do so as a college team. Florida’s Finest suffers from the same curse that every community team does: its players are spread throughout the South, and the only cities that have more than four Flamingos in them are Miami and Tampa, Florida.

The Square Wheel

The core of FF has played together for several years, more than any other team in the region. Each of those original members know each other extremely well and are in complete synchronization. The obstacle Florida’s Finest will have to overcome is to have its new players develop that synergy with the veterans who have seen around a hundred games together. Compound that issue with the fact that many of those new players cannot practice with the team, and the Baby Flamingos will just have to learn on the fly at tournaments.

Impact Players

Double the Sean: Sean Pagoada and Sean Snipes will lead FF’s chaser lines this year. Pagoada is arguably the best utility player in the sport, as well as a two-time Team USA player. Snipes is one of the most athletic chasers on the team, and he excels in the fast break and boasts an impressive vertical.

Bobby Padan: Padan returns to Florida’s Finest this year as a Navy Rescue Swimmer School graduate. He made waves at the South Regional Fantasy tournament with a full squad of Naval Swimmers. Padan turned heads when he played almost every minute of every game, sprinting up and down the field and applying pressure for 20 plus minutes straight; he was only taken off the field on a technical foul on one of his players for a substitution mistake. Look to see Padan everywhere when he is on the field.

Andrea Cammarano: Coming into her third season of quidditch, Cammarano has played beater at Florida State University and was a chaser for FF last year. Cammarano brings her impressive build and natural athleticism from rugby to the game. Look to see her outclassing other female chasers and a good amount of male chasers as well.

Conclusion

Florida’s Finest was in its infancy last year; Pagoada spent time moving players to different positions, as well as finding out the system that works for each quaffle line. This year, the Flamingos have their systems, a set roster, and several new additions to their talent pool. Look to see where they end up at USQ World Cup.

*A poll I conducted among the majority of the team captains of the region has shown that FF is generally accepted as the top team in the South.

Quotes

"All in all, we've been working very hard over the summer and have a newfound hunger. We've been keeping each other motivated through the drive to #winworldcup. We won't stop until we've reached our ultimate goal, no matter who stands in our way, whether it be a Longhorn, Lone Star, or any other team." -Sean Pagoada, captain

University of Florida Gators (UF)

More of the same. Dre Clements returns for his fifth year with most of the core Gators—same system, same team.

Strengths

Monkey in the Middle

The Gators’ offensive system emphasizes passing over driving and teamwork over hero ball. Each pass is short and between the hoops, and you will rarely see UF make a longshot. The aim of its offense is to misdirect the defense with passes, while its chasers get into better position for scoring. UF doesn’t waste passes; there is a very specific pattern that it follows.

Tenacious D(efense)

The Gators play a tight defense. They look to engage where they can to limit the offensive drive, and their beaters turtle up near the hoops when they have bludger control. Their defensive mindset is very much like their offense: methodical.

Factory Management

UF has the same leadership as the previous years. It has found its basic mold, and now it is able to manufacture players that fit into its system.

Weaknesses

No Seeker

UF lacks a true seeker. Utility player Ezra Noon-Song was able to fill the role when needed, but the Gators have acknowledged a need to have a dedicated seeker in addition to the returning Noon-Song.

Upgrading the System

UF is constantly tweaking its offense and defense to optimize its efficiency. However, sometimes not everyone is on the same page. At the South Regional Championship last year, UF switched to a zone-defense, but some chasers were still playing man-to-man defense, leaving holes in their coverage and the team open to scores against it.

Impact Players

Dre Clements: Clements is an elite chaser who breaks UF’s mold. He is a very competent driver with good ball-handling skills and a level of quickness that most point defenders cannot deal with. His rugby experience shows in his tackling, and he often bails out UF when its system cannot adapt fast enough.

Thing One and Thing Two: Jared Gaum and Richard Crumrine are the double male beater duo that UF will rely on this coming year. Their ability to impact the defense and snitch play will determine how well UF performs this season.

Underrated but not Unappreciated: UF’s female chasing corps is the primary reason that it can get away with two male beaters the vast majority of the time. UF has depth at this position, and these players are integral to both the defense and offense. Tori Robbins has brought down many a driving chaser, and Elizabeth Norton has made several goals from behind the hoops.

Conclusion

Same team, just a little bit older; expect the team to perform consistently this season with the play it exhibited last year. The UF organization is a system that puts out a consistent product. With competition more stratified this year, look for more in-region wins.

Quotes

“No matter what happens this year, if we give our all, I will always be proud of my team.” - Tim Derrick, captain

University of Miami Hurricanes (UM)

Out with the old, in with the new. The four-time Regional Champions have lost their leader, main chaser pair, and elite seeker. However, UM gained a much more balanced experience pool. Last year, much of the new talent was overshadowed by the “star power” of Sean Beloff, Stephen Ralph, Shannon Moorhead, and David Moyer. This year, UM has quite a few new(er) names to make famous.

Strengths

The Team

The big question that everyone is asking is: “Can Miami still be elite without the Old Guard?” The answer is “most likely.” UM won the South Regional Championship while Moorhead was out with a broken collarbone. They even held a two score lead over Emerson College at World Cup VII after Beloff was ejected from the game; these are not the doings of an unbalanced team.

The System

UM is famous for its overwhelming pass-heavy offense. Its offense relies on efficient and smart short passes to predetermined routes and quick fast breaks. The offense, while flashy, isn’t just “The Beloff Show.” Returning is chaser Bernie Berges, a large, physical player who possesses a great deal of finesse for someone his size. Also returning is Bridgette Foster, a female chaser who had a knack for the catch-jump-score near goals and being able to tackle consistently. 

The Female Beaters

UM possesses two talented female beaters, one of whom, Moorhead, was a member of Team USA. Don’t be surprised to see a double female set around snitch time to have the Miami offense run up the score.

Weaknesses

The Void

Miami may have a great system, but its architects are no longer there. The Hurricanes have lost their well-seasoned top scorers and their top seeker. UM will sorely miss the leadership, experience, and skill that Beloff, Moyer, and Ralph brought to the table; their shoes are going to be very hard to fill. Miami may flounder—at least at first—without its guidance and example.

The Skill Level

Miami has been an elite team the past few years. The UM system was a product of four years of hard work, during which time several players came to become exceptionally good. Currently, there are many one-year veterans of the organization. Many of these players are good but not great…yet. Realistically, you can expect UM to still be better than most and regain its former glory over the next few years. This year is a learning year for UM, who will turn backups into starters and build depth.

Impact Players

Shannon Moorhead: She’s a household name, and she cannot possibly live up to the hype that she gets. That said, she’s still really good. What sets her apart from non-elite female beaters isn’t her height, size, physicality, or throwing arm; it’s her mind. It’s one thing to know how to throw a ball, and it’s another to know when to throw it. Moorhead uses a technique against fast breaks where she waves the bludger in a counterclockwise circle to distract the opposing chaser, faking them out enough for her to beat them. Her defensive skill is a big reason why the Hurricanes’ offense is able to go all-out with impunity.

Bernie Berges: Berges was Beloff’s right-hand man and is the one most likely to fill the void in offense that Beloff and Ralph have left. He is a large, fast chaser with a good pass and better shot. He does the Bernie dance every time he scores, and he dances often.

Under the Radar

Elen Edelson: Edelson joined UM this past year, starting out as a chaser. What defined her style of play was the fact that she would tackle anybody and everybody. At several South Region tournaments, Edelson tackled elite chasers, such as Sean Pagoada, with relative ease. She is also proficient at the “catch-and-score” technique that Miami’s female chasers are known for. When Shannon Moorhead was injured, Edelson stepped into the role of primary female beater in the few weeks before the Regional Championship. She played the majority of every game and was able to maintain bludger control against much more experienced players. Look for her to be a solid backup to Moorhead and come into her own this year.

Daniel Cantrelle: Replacing Moyer, this utility player’s first tournament was World Cup VII, where he caught two snitches and then three in Mid-Atlantic Fantasy. He is strong and has quick hands; look to see him with the snitch tail often this year.

Conclusion

With the departure of key four-year starters, UM has lost a great deal of the elite talent that built its organization. However, it still retains a few key veterans and a host of players ready to prove themselves. There will be growing pains, but look for UM to be a Day Two team at World Cup this year and to be around its former skill level next year.

Quotes

“Don't count us out. We may have lost Beloff but what we have now is a team with 15-20ish returning players that have a year of experience and lots of chemistry” -Shannon Moorhead, captain