ISML 2009: Shana gets another crack at Hina in the final
October 31, 2009
Is Hinagiku Katsura a psychic? Or has CLANNAD simply been a bust against in the International Saimoe League?
One thing's for sure: the fiery-eyed sensation wants payback after getting a little payback of her own with a 1601-1157 victory at the Convection Zone of the Big Dog, the Star of Sirius.
"It's not over till it's over," Shana said, munching on her 120th melon bread loaf-a personal record. "I wanted to get another shot at setting things straight. If I have to do it twice, I got no problems doing it. So I will need to ask my fans and myself to give it all they got, and give it all I got, respectively.
"We are at the crossroads. And now, it's time to put up.
Katsura was not surprised by the result.
"I beat her once, all I need to do is get it done one more time, and the tiara will rest at the Hakuoh Academy come November," she said with a wink and a thumbs-up.
"We are ready to finish this with a bang."
In the 5th place contest, Kyou Fujibayashi spared complete CLANNAD blushed by defeating the dethroned Fate Testarossa Harlaown 1410-1326 at the South Pole.
A close exhibition in Madrid saw 11Eyes's Misuzu Kusakabe edge Sora no Otoshimono's Ikaros 1199-1184. "Where I come from, I have the blood of the demon in me, and I can bring out one of my Five Treasures out with the snap of my fingers," Kusakabe explained. "It's pretty handy."
"I enjoyed this battle. I am cheering personally for Shana because of the way she slashes her opponents with great facility is noteworthy."
In ISML Relegation action, Chii defeated Vita 1308-1254 in Tokyo, Nayuki Minase denied Evangeline McDowell 1398-1213 in New York City, Mai Kawasumi easily outdueled close friend Sayuri Kurata 1472-994 in Buenos Aires, Reimu Hakurei won a 197-1283 thriller over Index L. Prohibitorum in Cairo, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere crushed Yuuhi Katagiri 1563-1079 in Moscow, Mikoto Misaka laid the voltage on Hayate Yagami 1544-1030 in London and Ayu Tsukimiya whipped past Misuzu Kamio 1283-1171 in Sydney.
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Final, Special Exhibition, 5th Place & ISML Relegation
ISML Tiara Loser's Bracket Final
ARENA 01: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Shana
ISML 5th Place
ARENA 02: Fujibayashi Kyō [Fate Testarossa]
ISML Relegation
ARENA 03: Chii [Vita]
ARENA 04: [Minase Nayuki] Evangeline McDowell
ARENA 05: Kurata Sayuri [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 06: Index Prohibitorum [Hakurei Reimu]
ARENA 07: Katagiri Yūhi [Louise Vallière]
ARENA 08: [Misaka Mikoto] Yagami Hayate
ARENA 09: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Kamio Misuzu
Special Exhibition
ARENA 10: [Kusakabe Misuzu] Ikaros
ARENA 01: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Shana
ISML 5th Place
ARENA 02: Fujibayashi Kyō [Fate Testarossa]
ISML Relegation
ARENA 03: Chii [Vita]
ARENA 04: [Minase Nayuki] Evangeline McDowell
ARENA 05: Kurata Sayuri [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 06: Index Prohibitorum [Hakurei Reimu]
ARENA 07: Katagiri Yūhi [Louise Vallière]
ARENA 08: [Misaka Mikoto] Yagami Hayate
ARENA 09: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Kamio Misuzu
Special Exhibition
ARENA 10: [Kusakabe Misuzu] Ikaros
Meet Jesse Scroggins.
Getting To Know: Lakewood QB Jesse Scroggins
by Brian Baiotto | Lakewood | 10.29.09 |
Being Jesse Scroggins has got to be a pretty cool thing these days.
The popular Lakewood High School senior is arguably the best quarterback on the most prolific team in the Long Beach area, and after his prep days are over, the Lancers captain will be heading to USC to play for Pete Carroll.
As excited as Scroggins is to be part of the Trojans machine, he’s committed completely to finishing out his senior year on a high note with the teammates/friends he's known since his early childhood.
Lakewood (7-1, 4-0) has already made history with its 21-14 victory over Poly on Oct. 9— a feat that snapped the Jackrabbits' 80-game Moore League win streak— but with wins over Millikan and Wilson, the Lancers would win their first Moore League title since Ronald Reagan was president (1982) and head to the playoffs on a nine-game win streak.
Scroggins has completed 100 of 159 passes (63%) for 1,474 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has only been picked off three times all season, and his numbers would be even greater if he hadn't sat out five quarters of football with games out of reach.
All this success isn’t anything new, Scroggins is 24-7 in his third year as the signal caller for Lakewood and each year has become more mature as a player and a person. He's thrown touchdowns in 28 of the 31 games he's started, including 19 straight and to 11 different receivers this year. All that equals 63 career touchdowns to just 15 interceptions.
Scroggins' arm strength is that of an elite quarterback, but it’s his God-given instincts that separate him from the pack. His journey to stardom at Lakewood, however, is solely attributed to the courage of his parents, Jesse Sr., and Jeri, who rose from less than ideal conditions to provide for their three children.
Jesse Sr. met his future wife in the U.S. Army, and continued on to the U.S. Postal Service where they've both been employed for over 20 years. It’s the poverty and adverse conditions that both parents have risen above that truly exemplifies the American Dream.
“My wife lived in a one-room shack as a kid and I was around the projects where people I knew were in gangs, doing drugs, getting pregnant and going to jail,” says Jesse Scroggins Sr. of his past. “I knew this wasn't the kind of life I wanted and it was certainly not the type of life I was going to provide for my kids.”
With a solid home life in place, young Jesse’s first athletic break came in the seventh grade when he met Thadd MacNeal at a football camp at Los Alamitos.
MacNeal, a former quarterback in the San Diego area, took Scroggins under his wings and is credited by both father and son as being the man who has gotten Scroggins to break out of his shell.
“Coach Mac has been my main mentor since the seventh grade,” Scroggins said. “I wasn't maturing my sophomore year, and I decided I needed this man and that he knew what he's talking about and we haven't looked back since.” MacNeal has produced 12 quarterbacks for the Division 1 level, so his credibility is very high among his players.
For MacNeal, it’s taken patience to get Scroggins to the high level he performs at now.
“Jesse used to be a kid who liked to joke around and we weren't always sure he would take this as seriously as he should, but he's grown into a leader and he leads by example,” MacNeal says of his quarterback. “As a former quarterback, I am very hard on that position and want to make him a perfectionist. I want to condition him for the next level.”
The Lancers and their coaching staff are focused on Millikan and Wilson over the final two weeks, but took the time to look back at their first victory over Poly in 26 years.
“The quarterback gets all the credit and all the blame (fairly or unfairly) for how their team does, and the difference between last year and this year is that Jesse's maturity allowed him to make plays and he made the difference. It was an unbelievable feeling to be part of it and I think I had over 100 text messages and 50 emails after that game.”
A humble Scroggins took very little personal glory after handling the Jackrabbits.
“This is something we'll always be remembered for and be proud of, but we truly did this for all the alumni here at Lakewood that worked so hard before us and that supported us,” Scroggins said. “My cell phone was out of order for four days because people were just blowing it up.”
In the area, there is a lot of animosity in the sports world, but Scroggins wanted to make one thing clear about Poly football.
Said Scroggins: “A lot of people talk and say things that don't always come off as respectful, and I think what gets lost is that we all have a tremendous amount of respect for what Poly has been and what their tradition is. It’s that success and tradition that they've earned that makes beating them such a great feeling.”
Lakewood's lone loss (28-27) came to a top-ranked Crenshaw team that has outscored its opponents by 242 points in seven games. The loss served as a wake up call to a team that was showered with pre-season predictions this summer.
“They are a great team, but we learned early that we couldn't make the mistakes we did and expect to beat quality teams,” MacNeal said.
Scroggins is far from the only star on the Lancers roster, and it’s the friendships he has developed that mean as much or more than his success on the field.
Defensive back Dion Bailey is heading to USC with Scroggins, while Justin Utupo (Notre Dame), Kevin Anderson (ASU, 26 catches, 479 yards and seven touchdowns), leading tackler Todd Barr, Keanu Kalolo and three-year starter Brennen Kelly have all had huge years for Lakewood.
“Jesse is a great teammate and is someone that’s fun to just watch, because he's that good,” said Kevin Anderson. “He and the rest of our teammates have come together and become the team people expected us to be because we worked so hard together and are a very close unit.”
Lakewood hopes to finish with a Moore League title and a Pac-5 championship, but for Jesse Scroggins Sr., his son has already turned his sacrifices into a touchdown.
“Jesse has options I didn't even know were possible when I was a kid, and he's made my wife and me proud that he's become a role model to our younger kids (Jerin and Jessica) and to others. I am more proud of what he is off the field than what he's done on it, because as parents, we worked so hard to provide this opportunity for him to turn out this way,” Mr. Scroggins said.
For Jesse, his parents are his heroes, his coaches are his mentors, and his teammates are valued friends he hopes to remain in touch with over his lifetime.
“Having these guys as my friends made the journey so much more meaningful, and I know I'll be remembered as the quarterback that finally beat Poly, but if I could tell my younger teammates one thing to remember me by, it would be that hard work pays off,” Scroggins said.
For MacNeal, Scroggins will be remembered as “the best quarterback in Lakewood history that broke all the major records, and someone who trusted me and wanted to become the best player he possibly could be.”
Regardless of what bloggers who don't like Lakewood will inevitably say, Scroggins and his Lancers teammates have answered all their critics with one word: SCOREBOARD!
Congratulations on living the dream, you Hispanithugs.
Four Charged in California Homecoming Gang Rape
Gang Rape Suspects Range in Age From 15 to 21
By SARAH NETTER and EMILY FRIEDMAN
Oct. 28, 2009—Four out of five suspects arrested in connection with the publicly witnessed, hours-long gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside of her California high school's homecoming dance face charges that could send them to prison for life, police said.
Manuel Ortega, a 19-year-old former Richmond High School student, has been charged with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, rape in concert [gang rape] and rape with violence, according to Richmond Police Lt. Mark Gagan.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office is going to ask for a life sentence for Ortega, Gagan said. His bail has been set at $1,230,000
The other three suspects are juveniles, ages 15, 16 and 17, but are to be charged as adults, and the D.A.'s office will seek life sentences for the trio, Gagan said.
The three juveniles are being held without bail on charges of rape in concert and penetration with an foreign object in concert. In addition, the 16-year-old will be charged with robbery.
A fifth suspect, 21-year-old Salvador Rodriguez, arrested Tuesday night, has not yet been charged, although the district attorney's office continues to investigate his role.
Estimates of the number of people present for the more-than-two-hour assault Saturday night have grown. Initially, police believed 20 people either took part in the attack or watched it happen.
Police now believe that as many as 10 suspects took part in the gang rape, while 20 others stood by and watched the crime occur in a dimly lit corner of the sprawling campus, according to KGO.
No one who was present during the assault tried to stop it or called police. Instead, some of those watched the attack are suspected of taking pictures, police told ABC's KGO-TV in San Francisco.
KGO reported that police were called only after someone who was not at the scene heard people talking about the attack, which was still going on.
Police officers found the girl semi-conscious, curled up near a lunch table.
Gagan said the Richmond Police Department is pleased with the district attorney's aggressive approach in prosecuting the case.
Richmond police arrested three people Tuesday night, including the 17-year-old boy, who turned himself in to police after authorities visited his home earlier in the day, according to KGO-TV.
The 16-year-old boy and Rodriguez also were among the suspects taken into custody Tuesday night, joining two other young men who police already had apprehended.
The 15-year-old boy was arrested Monday after he was pulled out of class for questioning. He is believed to have known the rape victim.
"These are people who played a significant role in the incident," Gagan told the Associated Press. "I'm confident that more arrests will be made."
An official with the school district said Tuesday officials were praying for the victim's recovery but also defended school security, saying that when the students leave the dance, "we don't take them home."
West Contra Costa Unified School District spokesman Marin Trujillo told ABCNews.com that there were four police officers, five chaperones and a host of teachers to supervise the dance, and that when the event was over a sweep was made of the campus to make sure everyone had gone home.
The corner on the outskirts of school grounds where the girl was attacked, he said, was not part of the search.
"I bet this is a learning incident," Trujillo said, referring to the way they searched the campus.
Nevertheless, the school spokesman said it's up to parents to make sure their children get safely home from these types of dances.
"Once the child leaves the dance, we don't take them home," Trujillo said.
The spokesman later told KGO, "The dance itself was a success in terms of safety. Nothing happened at the event. We're currently exploring our protocols to make sure that we can expand them, and make sure that this isolated incident doesn't get repeated again."
Police had a different view.
"These suspects are monsters. And, I don't understand how this many people capable of such atrocious behavior could be in one place at one time," Gagan told KGO.
No One at Gang Rape Reported It to Police
Dara Cashman, head of the Contra Costa County Sex Assault Unit, indicated that witnesses who did not come to the girl's aid or call police were unlikely to be charged with a crime unless they aided the assault.According to news reports, the girl left the high school's homecoming dance alone around 9:30 p.m. Saturday to get a ride home with her dad.
Instead, she met up with a group of people who were drinking on the edge of campus.
"The series of events that occurred over the next 2½ hours got more severe and more vicious to where she was ultimately gang raped and beaten, and her injuries were so severe that she had to be sent to the hospital in a helicopter," Gagan told KGO.
Trujillo described the mood at Richmond High School is "somber." Counselors and members of the school's crisis team have remained at the school as students -- some who are still not sure who the victim is -- wonder if every absent girl was the one who was attacked.
Trujillo said the school district was not notified officially about the incident until the next morning, though some officials had heard about it on the news.
Trujillo said that school officials had recently approved a "very costly" security system, but that it had not yet been installed. Security cameras already installed in the school are not believed to be functional, he said, but there were no cameras pointed at the spot where the rape happened.
One student, 16-year-old Jennie Steinberg, told the Associated Press that her mother has let her transfer from the school Tuesday.
"It's not safe there at all," she said. "I'm not going back."
Trujillo said 1,688 students attend Richmond High School, which has a banner outside naming it "most improved."
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Final
Tomoyo Sakagami def. Shana by <100 votes
Over/Under: 2400
Over
Over
ISML 2009: Tomoyo Sakagami shuts out SOS Brigade, Kurimu makes her mark
ISML 2009: Tomoyo Sakagami shuts out SOS Brigade, Kurimu makes her mark
October 27, 2009
Tomoyo Sakagami has secured a date with Shana for a spot in the 2009 International Saimoe League Tiara final. She defeated Yuki Nagato, 1156-1034, in a bitter contest on the surface of the Big Dog, the Star of Sirius.
"I am honored to be in the top three," said Sakagami, who ironically is seeded third in the Tiara, "but as we all should know, the job's far from done. Shana want another crack at Hinagiku Katsura. I've had success against her before, so the way I approached the last contest will have to be built on."
Meanwhile, another new face arrived on the fray at the Madrid ISML Exhibition Arena. Kurimu Sakurano, from Seitokai no Ichizon, thumped Kampfer's Natsuru Seno 1268-709. "I have the utmost respect for those battling for the Tiara," said Sakurano after the contest. "I would love to take part in next year's content, if I am given the opportunity."
Reprising her 2009 Anizone Best Moe Tournament victory, Taiga Aisaka defeate Kagami Hiiragi, 1111-1065, to secure 7th place.
In ISML Relegation action, Index L. Prohibitorum defeated Misuzu Kamio 1054-1026 in Tokyo, Nayuki Minase prevailed over Chii 1087-971 in New York, Mai Kawasumi slashed past Evangeline McDowell 1279-830 in Buenos Aires, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Reimu Hakurei 1147-952 in Cairo, Sayuri Kurata took down Hayate Yagami 1077-1010 in Moscow, Yuuhi Katagiri tore down Vita 1076-902 in London and Mikoto Misaka laid the biribiri on Ayu Tsukimiya 1191-956 in Sydney.
October 27, 2009
Tomoyo Sakagami has secured a date with Shana for a spot in the 2009 International Saimoe League Tiara final. She defeated Yuki Nagato, 1156-1034, in a bitter contest on the surface of the Big Dog, the Star of Sirius.
"I am honored to be in the top three," said Sakagami, who ironically is seeded third in the Tiara, "but as we all should know, the job's far from done. Shana want another crack at Hinagiku Katsura. I've had success against her before, so the way I approached the last contest will have to be built on."
Meanwhile, another new face arrived on the fray at the Madrid ISML Exhibition Arena. Kurimu Sakurano, from Seitokai no Ichizon, thumped Kampfer's Natsuru Seno 1268-709. "I have the utmost respect for those battling for the Tiara," said Sakurano after the contest. "I would love to take part in next year's content, if I am given the opportunity."
Reprising her 2009 Anizone Best Moe Tournament victory, Taiga Aisaka defeate Kagami Hiiragi, 1111-1065, to secure 7th place.
In ISML Relegation action, Index L. Prohibitorum defeated Misuzu Kamio 1054-1026 in Tokyo, Nayuki Minase prevailed over Chii 1087-971 in New York, Mai Kawasumi slashed past Evangeline McDowell 1279-830 in Buenos Aires, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Reimu Hakurei 1147-952 in Cairo, Sayuri Kurata took down Hayate Yagami 1077-1010 in Moscow, Yuuhi Katagiri tore down Vita 1076-902 in London and Mikoto Misaka laid the biribiri on Ayu Tsukimiya 1191-956 in Sydney.
From Andy Katz...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Once-fired Monson: 'I enjoy life again'
There is a chance, albeit a small one, that Long Beach State could meet Minnesota in next month's 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.
If it occurs -- likely in a consolation game, since the schools are on opposite sides of the bracket -- then there should be an acknowledgment of how much Dan Monson helped put Minnesota in the position it is today. Tubby Smith, one of the best hires an athletic director has pulled off in the last decade, has put the Golden Gophers in the mix as a regular NCAA tournament team for years to come. But Monson shouldn't be forgotten.
The Gophers needed cleansing after the Clem Haskins academic scandal vacated the 1997 Final Four. After leading Gonzaga to the 1999 Elite Eight, the fresh-faced Monson was hired to bring some sort of normalcy back to Minneapolis. He did that.
He lasted seven-plus seasons with the Gophers, but only one NCAA tournament appearance ultimately led to his dismissal in November 2006.
Early-season firings aren't and shouldn't be the norm in college basketball, as they are in the NBA. But the four-month break was actually just enough time for Monson to decompress before the Long Beach State job opened.
Initially, his wife, Darci, cried when Long Beach called. A Northwest native, she wasn't enamored with moving to Southern California and the possible headaches of raising four children in the area. But that has quickly subsided. The family couldn't be in a better place or space.
"I enjoy going to work every day; that's the main thing that's different now," Monson said. "I don't care about the money or the league. I enjoy life again."
Two seasons after the firing, Monson is enjoying a renaissance at Long Beach State. He has pulled off a turnaround of this once-proud program, one that can claim success stories on the court under Jerry Tarkanian, Lute Olson and Seth Greenberg.
The 49ers were coming off NCAA probation that vacated the 2005-06 season, and one year later, Larry Reynolds led the program to the NCAA tournament out of the Big West. Monson went 6-25 in the first year with a depleted roster, but then last season went 15-15 and improved the conference record from 3-13 to 10-6, just one game behind first-place Cal State Northridge. LBSU lost a share of the title on a buzzer-beater by UC Santa Barbara in the regular-season finale.
This season, the 49ers should be right in the mix for the Big West title with Northridge, UCSB and UC Riverside. Among the four starters returning is Larry Anderson, who became the first Big West freshman in 35 years to earn first-team all-league honors. From 6-25 to title contention, life is good again for Dan Monson.
"He's happy and content and at peace," said former Monson assistant Mark Few, who is entering his 11th season as head coach at Gonzaga. "He's in a good place. He loves it there."
Monson's life had become so draining at Minnesota. When he first arrived in Minneapolis, Monson would gloat about what the Gophers had in a conference like the Big Ten, according to his friends. The amenities were cool at the time. But the pressure to produce now, rather than later, was not.
"I don't know if I ever felt [at peace] at Minnesota," Monson said. "Those eight years were very difficult, between the probation and all the adjustments. I don't know if I ever got into a comfortable routine."
The environment he is in at Long Beach State has much more of a Gonzaga-like feel. The Zags dominate Spokane, Wash. That's not the case in the Long Beach area near Los Angeles, with so many other interests permeating the sports and social scene. But there is still a community-like feel on campus that he missed.
Recruiting has also been much more of a joy, with the roster dominated by Californians (11). Monson spends more time at home with his wife and four children. Monson said the number of days he's at home isn't even comparable to when he was at Minnesota or Gonzaga, which does have to recruit outside the Northwest quite a bit.
"I left Minnesota feeling like I wish I would have won more, but I did what they wanted me to do, which was clean it up," Monson said. "I helped stabilize the program and run it the right way. We went to the NCAA tournament the first year off probation. We weren't a total disaster on the court. The academics and the recruiting were a solid base, but it needed a bump. Tubby has given that to them.
"I don't have a beef with the University of Minnesota at all. They gave me a lot of money, made me a better person for sure, and a lot better coach, since I had to deal with a lot of different situations there. I wouldn't trade any of what I learned about myself those eight years."
The Big West has searched for an identity since UNLV departed for the WAC (and later the Mountain West). Becoming an all-California league has helped narrow the focus, but it still could use a school like Gonzaga, a program that separates itself by garnering national publicity and becomes a barometer for the rest.
Long Beach State certainly has the history, the facility and the recruiting base to become that school. The rest of the league may challenge that statement, but the 49ers might have the first crack at distancing themselves.
"You've got to have that marquee team," Monson said. "Gonzaga lifted the other schools up to where the others are trying to match it."
Monson referenced Pacific's run from 2003 to 2006, when the Tigers were a regular in the NCAA tournament, even winning first-round NCAA games in 2004 and '05. The 2005 team went 18-0 in the Big West.
"If a league like this gets a couple of teams in the tournament, it can separate itself from the rest of the mid-majors," Monson said.
To do that, the coaching staffs need to stay somewhat intact. Pacific's Bob Thomason arrived in 1988. UC Irvine's Pat Douglass took over in 1997. UC Santa Barbara's Bob Williams got his gig in 1998. Cal State Northridge's Bobby Braswell, who earned the league's automatic berth last season, started with the Matadors in 1996.
"These are good jobs in great locations," Monson said. "I was ready again after 90 straight days going to the bus stop, ready mentally to take a head job again. And doing that for three months made me appreciate this job, made me appreciate what I have here. This is a great set up for me."
• The ACC media projected Duke and North Carolina in a dead heat for first place. That's a fair guess, as neither team is expected to dominate. Both could challenge for the national title, but both are flawed -- Duke in speed and quickness and Carolina in the experience of its guards.
But the rest of the poll is clearly debatable. Clemson was picked third, followed by Georgia Tech, Maryland, Wake Forest, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Miami, Virginia and NC State.
A few certainties from my vantage point: Clemson, with its questionable perimeter shooting, won't finish third, and the experience and productivity returning at BC will prevent the Eagles from finishing ninth. Both are NCAA tournament teams in my mind, and so are Maryland, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and likely Florida State. Yes, that's a possible eight teams in contention for bids out of the ACC, which is unlikely. But the balance in this league could lead to a banner season. I'm not sold yet on whether Virginia Tech or Miami can get there.
• Stats from intrasquad scrimmages don't mean much in the big picture, but they're still worth sharing.
USC desperately needs North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson to be a major force this season. His numbers were solid in the Trojans' Gold and Cardinal scrimmage Sunday night: 13 points in 20 minutes and five boards. Leonard Washington played even though he's academically ineligible this semester. Clearly, Washington needs work -- he went 1-of-11 from the field.
If Wisconsin is going to keep its NCAA tournament streak going (11 straight appearances), Jon Leuer will need to be effective. He wasn't during Sunday's scrimmage, going 2-of-12. Trevon Hughes could be this team's stud, and he did have three steals. But he also had three turnovers and four assists.
Renardo Sidney hasn't been cleared by the NCAA's eligibility center to compete in games, but he can practice and be involved in scrimmages for Mississippi State. He certainly tantalized the Bulldogs staff with 19 points and seven boards in a 7-of-16 outing (3-of-7 on 3s, too) in 31 minutes during a Saturday afternoon scrimmage. All-America shot-blocker Jarvis Varnado was on the same side as Sidney and scored 22, making seven of 10 shots, nailing all eight free throws and blocking five shots. That was according to the box score. But the press release reported he scored 33 points. That probably tells you all you need to know about scrimmages. Either way, the Bulldogs will take a big night from Varnado. The bigger concern would be Ravern Johnson's going 2-of-13 and missing all eight 3s he attempted.
• Washington is trying to reach out to Gonzaga with a proposal to play a series in Seattle every year at Key Arena, with UW assistant athletic director Richard Kilwien saying the game would bring in $300,000 per school in the 50-50 ticket split. But the Zags' argument is that they already play a game in Seattle every season for their fans in the western part of the state. Gonzaga wants a true home-and-home series to resume with the start of the series back in Spokane -- and the Zags aren't budging. Kilwien and the rest of the Huskies aren't either, saying that they're not interested in a home-and-home series. So the stalemate continues, and the series won't continue. Gonzaga does have a true home-and-home with Washington's Pac-10 rival, Washington State.
Once-fired Monson: 'I enjoy life again'
There is a chance, albeit a small one, that Long Beach State could meet Minnesota in next month's 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.
If it occurs -- likely in a consolation game, since the schools are on opposite sides of the bracket -- then there should be an acknowledgment of how much Dan Monson helped put Minnesota in the position it is today. Tubby Smith, one of the best hires an athletic director has pulled off in the last decade, has put the Golden Gophers in the mix as a regular NCAA tournament team for years to come. But Monson shouldn't be forgotten.
The Gophers needed cleansing after the Clem Haskins academic scandal vacated the 1997 Final Four. After leading Gonzaga to the 1999 Elite Eight, the fresh-faced Monson was hired to bring some sort of normalcy back to Minneapolis. He did that.
He lasted seven-plus seasons with the Gophers, but only one NCAA tournament appearance ultimately led to his dismissal in November 2006.
Early-season firings aren't and shouldn't be the norm in college basketball, as they are in the NBA. But the four-month break was actually just enough time for Monson to decompress before the Long Beach State job opened.
Initially, his wife, Darci, cried when Long Beach called. A Northwest native, she wasn't enamored with moving to Southern California and the possible headaches of raising four children in the area. But that has quickly subsided. The family couldn't be in a better place or space.
 | |
| Dan Monson has quickly turned it around at Long Beach State. |
"I enjoy going to work every day; that's the main thing that's different now," Monson said. "I don't care about the money or the league. I enjoy life again."
Two seasons after the firing, Monson is enjoying a renaissance at Long Beach State. He has pulled off a turnaround of this once-proud program, one that can claim success stories on the court under Jerry Tarkanian, Lute Olson and Seth Greenberg.
The 49ers were coming off NCAA probation that vacated the 2005-06 season, and one year later, Larry Reynolds led the program to the NCAA tournament out of the Big West. Monson went 6-25 in the first year with a depleted roster, but then last season went 15-15 and improved the conference record from 3-13 to 10-6, just one game behind first-place Cal State Northridge. LBSU lost a share of the title on a buzzer-beater by UC Santa Barbara in the regular-season finale.
This season, the 49ers should be right in the mix for the Big West title with Northridge, UCSB and UC Riverside. Among the four starters returning is Larry Anderson, who became the first Big West freshman in 35 years to earn first-team all-league honors. From 6-25 to title contention, life is good again for Dan Monson.
"He's happy and content and at peace," said former Monson assistant Mark Few, who is entering his 11th season as head coach at Gonzaga. "He's in a good place. He loves it there."
Monson's life had become so draining at Minnesota. When he first arrived in Minneapolis, Monson would gloat about what the Gophers had in a conference like the Big Ten, according to his friends. The amenities were cool at the time. But the pressure to produce now, rather than later, was not.
"I don't know if I ever felt [at peace] at Minnesota," Monson said. "Those eight years were very difficult, between the probation and all the adjustments. I don't know if I ever got into a comfortable routine."
The environment he is in at Long Beach State has much more of a Gonzaga-like feel. The Zags dominate Spokane, Wash. That's not the case in the Long Beach area near Los Angeles, with so many other interests permeating the sports and social scene. But there is still a community-like feel on campus that he missed.
Recruiting has also been much more of a joy, with the roster dominated by Californians (11). Monson spends more time at home with his wife and four children. Monson said the number of days he's at home isn't even comparable to when he was at Minnesota or Gonzaga, which does have to recruit outside the Northwest quite a bit.
"I left Minnesota feeling like I wish I would have won more, but I did what they wanted me to do, which was clean it up," Monson said. "I helped stabilize the program and run it the right way. We went to the NCAA tournament the first year off probation. We weren't a total disaster on the court. The academics and the recruiting were a solid base, but it needed a bump. Tubby has given that to them.
"I don't have a beef with the University of Minnesota at all. They gave me a lot of money, made me a better person for sure, and a lot better coach, since I had to deal with a lot of different situations there. I wouldn't trade any of what I learned about myself those eight years."
The Big West has searched for an identity since UNLV departed for the WAC (and later the Mountain West). Becoming an all-California league has helped narrow the focus, but it still could use a school like Gonzaga, a program that separates itself by garnering national publicity and becomes a barometer for the rest.
Long Beach State certainly has the history, the facility and the recruiting base to become that school. The rest of the league may challenge that statement, but the 49ers might have the first crack at distancing themselves.
"You've got to have that marquee team," Monson said. "Gonzaga lifted the other schools up to where the others are trying to match it."
Monson referenced Pacific's run from 2003 to 2006, when the Tigers were a regular in the NCAA tournament, even winning first-round NCAA games in 2004 and '05. The 2005 team went 18-0 in the Big West.
"If a league like this gets a couple of teams in the tournament, it can separate itself from the rest of the mid-majors," Monson said.
To do that, the coaching staffs need to stay somewhat intact. Pacific's Bob Thomason arrived in 1988. UC Irvine's Pat Douglass took over in 1997. UC Santa Barbara's Bob Williams got his gig in 1998. Cal State Northridge's Bobby Braswell, who earned the league's automatic berth last season, started with the Matadors in 1996.
"These are good jobs in great locations," Monson said. "I was ready again after 90 straight days going to the bus stop, ready mentally to take a head job again. And doing that for three months made me appreciate this job, made me appreciate what I have here. This is a great set up for me."
• The ACC media projected Duke and North Carolina in a dead heat for first place. That's a fair guess, as neither team is expected to dominate. Both could challenge for the national title, but both are flawed -- Duke in speed and quickness and Carolina in the experience of its guards.
But the rest of the poll is clearly debatable. Clemson was picked third, followed by Georgia Tech, Maryland, Wake Forest, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Miami, Virginia and NC State.
A few certainties from my vantage point: Clemson, with its questionable perimeter shooting, won't finish third, and the experience and productivity returning at BC will prevent the Eagles from finishing ninth. Both are NCAA tournament teams in my mind, and so are Maryland, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and likely Florida State. Yes, that's a possible eight teams in contention for bids out of the ACC, which is unlikely. But the balance in this league could lead to a banner season. I'm not sold yet on whether Virginia Tech or Miami can get there.
• Stats from intrasquad scrimmages don't mean much in the big picture, but they're still worth sharing.
USC desperately needs North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson to be a major force this season. His numbers were solid in the Trojans' Gold and Cardinal scrimmage Sunday night: 13 points in 20 minutes and five boards. Leonard Washington played even though he's academically ineligible this semester. Clearly, Washington needs work -- he went 1-of-11 from the field.
If Wisconsin is going to keep its NCAA tournament streak going (11 straight appearances), Jon Leuer will need to be effective. He wasn't during Sunday's scrimmage, going 2-of-12. Trevon Hughes could be this team's stud, and he did have three steals. But he also had three turnovers and four assists.
Renardo Sidney hasn't been cleared by the NCAA's eligibility center to compete in games, but he can practice and be involved in scrimmages for Mississippi State. He certainly tantalized the Bulldogs staff with 19 points and seven boards in a 7-of-16 outing (3-of-7 on 3s, too) in 31 minutes during a Saturday afternoon scrimmage. All-America shot-blocker Jarvis Varnado was on the same side as Sidney and scored 22, making seven of 10 shots, nailing all eight free throws and blocking five shots. That was according to the box score. But the press release reported he scored 33 points. That probably tells you all you need to know about scrimmages. Either way, the Bulldogs will take a big night from Varnado. The bigger concern would be Ravern Johnson's going 2-of-13 and missing all eight 3s he attempted.
• Washington is trying to reach out to Gonzaga with a proposal to play a series in Seattle every year at Key Arena, with UW assistant athletic director Richard Kilwien saying the game would bring in $300,000 per school in the 50-50 ticket split. But the Zags' argument is that they already play a game in Seattle every season for their fans in the western part of the state. Gonzaga wants a true home-and-home series to resume with the start of the series back in Spokane -- and the Zags aren't budging. Kilwien and the rest of the Huskies aren't either, saying that they're not interested in a home-and-home series. So the stalemate continues, and the series won't continue. Gonzaga does have a true home-and-home with Washington's Pac-10 rival, Washington State.
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Semifinal, 7th Place, ISML Relegation, Day 9 & Special Exhibition
Tiara Loser's Bracket Semifinal
ARENA 01: Sakagami Tomoyo [Nagato Yuki]
ISML 7th Place Match
ARENA 02: Hiiragi Kagami [Aisaka Taiga]
ISML Relegation, Day 9
ARENA 03: Kamio Misuzu [Index Prohibitorum]
ARENA 04: [Minase Nayuki] Chii
ARENA 05: Evangeline McDowell [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 06: Hakurei Reimu [Louise Vallière]
ARENA 07: Kurata Sayuri [Yagami Hayate]
ARENA 08: Vita [Katagiri Yūhi]
ARENA 09: [Misaka Mikoto] Tsukimiya Ayu
ISML Special Exhibition
ARENA 10: Senō Natsuru [Sakurano Kurimu]
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 5
Yuki Nagato def. Tomoyo Sakagami by <100
Over/Under: 3200
Over
Over/Under: 3200
Over
ISML 2009: Hinagiku pulls out the upset special on Shana!
ISML 2009: Hinagiku pulls out the upset special on Shana!
October 24, 2009
Would you believe it! The upset of the year!
Well...so far. But while it was clear that there would be a new champion, Hinagiku Katsura stunned a lot of faces at the Chromosphere Arena, located on the Big Dog, the star of Sirius. A 1677-1395 victory puts her one victory away from succeeding fate Testarossa Harlaown in winning the 2009 International Saimoe League Tiara.
The defeat was Shana's first since April 3, 2009. Shana lost to Tomoyo Sakagami 1411-1306 in the Aquamarine stage.
Even Katsura-the Student Council President and pride of the Hakuou Academy in Nerima, Tokyo-was amazed herself at the victory.
"I feel like I'm in full vibrational mode right now, to quote Oprah Winfrey," said Katsura after the contest. "This has to be one of the biggest victories of my career. It's not easy to defeat the top seed in the tournament. But I have to do what I have to do, and I got it done."
Katsura said she knew that she faced the chance of Shana facing her again at the Prinadz Arena, located in the core of Sirius. But it didn't faze her one bit.
"I could be facing Yuki Nagato or Tomoyo [Sakagami], who also defeated Shana," Katsura said. "I come into the closing phases of this contest without any fear, only confidence.
"I am ready to win this Tiara."
Harlaown already conceded her defense against Nagato in the Loser's Bracket Fourth Round, 1687-1536.
Of course, there was other action going on as well.
An exhibition at Madrid saw Kobato Hanato score a 1451-1242 victory over Kuroko Shirai. The kindergarten teacher from the Yoyogi Nursery was quite surprised by the reception she earned at the Spanish capital.
"My role is to heal those whose hearts ache for the ones who love in this world," Hanato said. "It doesn't hurt me to take a little excursion and take part in something like this. I feel privileged to be in Spain. This is the first time I've been here. I've heard about the bull fights, the food and the football...but not the fact I was invited to compete in an exhibition. I look forward to perhaps coming back here, or wherever this group of people known as the International Saimoe League wants me to go. It has been an honor."
As expected, Haruhi Suzumiya bounced back in the classification matches with a 1683-1391 victory over Rin Tosaka at Point Rho, while Mikuru Asahina took down Suigintou 1625-1398 at Point Tau.
Finally, there was the matter of the Relegation Matches.
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere was dealt her first defeat of these matches with a 1478-1444 defeat to Mikoto Misaka in Tokyo. Index Prohibitorum defeated Nayuki Minase 1512-1334 in New York City, Sayuri Kurata defeated Evangeline McDowell 1553-1279 in Buenos Aires, Mai Kawasumi whipped past Chii 1539-1357 in Cairo, Reimu Hakurei rolled past Vita 1437-1171 in Moscow, Hayate Yagami edged out Misuzu Kamio 01404-1340 in London and Yuuhi Katagiri defeated Ayu Tsukimiya 1497-1397 in Sydney.
With the victory, Kawasumi now assumes top spot in the table. Regardless of where she finishes, De La Valliere will return to the 2010 ISML due to her finish in the 2009 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament (quarterfinals).
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Double Elimination Winner Bracket Final, 9th/11th Classification, Relegation & Special Exhibition
ISML Tiara Double Elimination Winner Bracket Final
ARENA 01: [Shana] Katsura Hinagiku
ISML 9th/11th Classification
ARENA 02: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Tōsaka Rin
ARENA 03: [Suigintou] Asahina Mikuru
ISML Relegation Round 8
ARENA 04: Misaka Mikoto [Louise Vallière]
ARENA 05: [Index Prohibitorum] Minase Nayuki
ARENA 06: [Evangeline McDowell] Kurata Sayuri
ARENA 07: Chii [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 08: [Hakurei Reimu] Vita
ARENA 09: [Yagami Hayate] Kamio Misuzu
ARENA 10: Katagiri Yūhi [Tsukimiya Ayu]
Special Exhibition
ARENA 11: Hanato Kobato [Shirai Kuroko]
ARENA 01: [Shana] Katsura Hinagiku
ISML 9th/11th Classification
ARENA 02: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Tōsaka Rin
ARENA 03: [Suigintou] Asahina Mikuru
ISML Relegation Round 8
ARENA 04: Misaka Mikoto [Louise Vallière]
ARENA 05: [Index Prohibitorum] Minase Nayuki
ARENA 06: [Evangeline McDowell] Kurata Sayuri
ARENA 07: Chii [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 08: [Hakurei Reimu] Vita
ARENA 09: [Yagami Hayate] Kamio Misuzu
ARENA 10: Katagiri Yūhi [Tsukimiya Ayu]
Special Exhibition
ARENA 11: Hanato Kobato [Shirai Kuroko]
ISML 2009: Yuki gets hard-earned payback, and Tomoyo moves on
ISML 2009: Yuki gets hard-earned payback, and Tomoyo moves on
October 20, 2009
Yuki Nagato waited about a year to finally get her revenge on Fate Testarossa Harlaown in the Tiara Double Elimination phase, and she got it.
At the Star of Sirius, located 5,000 miles from the South Magnetic Pole, a 1687-1536 victory told the story.
"At the end of the day, I feel like a huge weight has been carried off my shoulders," Nagato said after the match. "It was bound to happen, but I know that I can't dwell on this too long. Tomoyo Sakagami is an opponent that I know very well. And she will be flying the flag for Clannad. So I will be on my heels at the Epiphaneia Arena."
Sakagami disposed of Kyou Fujibayashi in a thrilling 1499-1479 thriller 5,000 miles from the North Magnetic Pole.
"I think the fans were treated to quite a show," Sakagami said after the contest. "As it stands, I will end my campaign in the top four. But I know, and my fans know, that we are not satisfied with that."
At the Madrid ISML Exhibition Arena, a showdown of assasins saw Canaan outwit Inu-Yasha's Sango, 1433-1060.
"I've never had the chance to compete in an arena like this," Canaan said after the match, "so I made it a priority to make the most of it. This was a fun contest. I hope to build on it if I am given the call next year."
In the classification matches, Haruhi Suzumiya bounced back with a 1753-1352 walloping of Mikuru Asahina at Point Rho. At Point Tau, Rin Tosaka took it to Suigintou, 1771-1346.
In Round 8 of the ISML Relegation Tournament, the action kept going at a fever pitch. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, who will be returning next year regardless of where she finishes in the table, defeated Vita 1800-1167 in Tokyo. Index L. Prohibitorum edged Yuuhi Katagiri 14001-1392 in New York City, Mai Kawasumi prevailed over Misuzu Kamio 1615-1146 in Buenos Aires, Sayuri Kurata squaked by Chii 1518-1441 in Cairo, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1861-982 in Moscow, Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Reimu Hakurei 1461-1408 in London and Hayate Yagami took out Nayuki Minase 1571-1367 in Sydney.
October 20, 2009
Yuki Nagato waited about a year to finally get her revenge on Fate Testarossa Harlaown in the Tiara Double Elimination phase, and she got it.
At the Star of Sirius, located 5,000 miles from the South Magnetic Pole, a 1687-1536 victory told the story.
"At the end of the day, I feel like a huge weight has been carried off my shoulders," Nagato said after the match. "It was bound to happen, but I know that I can't dwell on this too long. Tomoyo Sakagami is an opponent that I know very well. And she will be flying the flag for Clannad. So I will be on my heels at the Epiphaneia Arena."
Sakagami disposed of Kyou Fujibayashi in a thrilling 1499-1479 thriller 5,000 miles from the North Magnetic Pole.
"I think the fans were treated to quite a show," Sakagami said after the contest. "As it stands, I will end my campaign in the top four. But I know, and my fans know, that we are not satisfied with that."
At the Madrid ISML Exhibition Arena, a showdown of assasins saw Canaan outwit Inu-Yasha's Sango, 1433-1060.
"I've never had the chance to compete in an arena like this," Canaan said after the match, "so I made it a priority to make the most of it. This was a fun contest. I hope to build on it if I am given the call next year."
In the classification matches, Haruhi Suzumiya bounced back with a 1753-1352 walloping of Mikuru Asahina at Point Rho. At Point Tau, Rin Tosaka took it to Suigintou, 1771-1346.
In Round 8 of the ISML Relegation Tournament, the action kept going at a fever pitch. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, who will be returning next year regardless of where she finishes in the table, defeated Vita 1800-1167 in Tokyo. Index L. Prohibitorum edged Yuuhi Katagiri 14001-1392 in New York City, Mai Kawasumi prevailed over Misuzu Kamio 1615-1146 in Buenos Aires, Sayuri Kurata squaked by Chii 1518-1441 in Cairo, Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Evangeline A.K. McDowell 1861-982 in Moscow, Ayu Tsukimiya defeated Reimu Hakurei 1461-1408 in London and Hayate Yagami took out Nayuki Minase 1571-1367 in Sydney.
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 4, Classification Special Exhibition & ISML Relegation Round 7
ISML 2009 Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 4
ARENA 02: Nagato Yuki [Fate Testarossa]
ISML 2009 9th/11th Place Classification
ARENA 03: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Asahina Mikuru
ARENA 04: [Suigintou] Tōsaka Rin
ISML Relegation Round 7
ARENA 04: [Suigintou] Tōsaka Rin
ISML Relegation Round 7
ARENA 05: Vita [Louise Vallière]
ARENA 06: [Index Prohibitorum] Katagiri Yūhi
ARENA 07: Kamio Misuzu [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 08: [Chii] Kurata Sayuri
ARENA 09: [Evangeline McDowell] Misaka Mikoto
ARENA 10: [Hakurei Reimu] Tsukimiya Ayu
ARENA 11: [Minase Nayuki] Yagami Hayate
Special Exhibition
ARENA 06: [Index Prohibitorum] Katagiri Yūhi
ARENA 07: Kamio Misuzu [Kawasumi Mai]
ARENA 08: [Chii] Kurata Sayuri
ARENA 09: [Evangeline McDowell] Misaka Mikoto
ARENA 10: [Hakurei Reimu] Tsukimiya Ayu
ARENA 11: [Minase Nayuki] Yagami Hayate
Special Exhibition
ARENA 12: Canaan [Sango]
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 4 & Winner's Bracket Final
ISML 2009 Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 4
Tomoyo Sakagami def. Kyou Fujibayashi by >150
Over/Under: 2300
Over
Fate Testarossa Harlaown def. Yuki Nagato by <100 Over/Under: 2200
Under
ISML 2009 Tiara Winner's Bracket Final
Shana def. Hinagiku Katsura by >100
Over/Under: 2400
Over
Tomoyo Sakagami def. Kyou Fujibayashi by >150
Over/Under: 2300
Over
Fate Testarossa Harlaown def. Yuki Nagato by <100 Over/Under: 2200
Under
ISML 2009 Tiara Winner's Bracket Final
Shana def. Hinagiku Katsura by >100
Over/Under: 2400
Over
2009 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament: Top 4
1. Taiga Aisaka
CHAMPION
CHAMPION
Round 1:
Taiga Aisaka 726
Lynette Bishop 521
Louise Halevy 68
Ruby Toujou 36
Round 2:
Taiga Aisaka 786
Ami Kawashima 627
Mikuru Asahina 297
Round 3:
Taiga Aisaka 850
Maria 725
Group F Final:
Taiga Aisaka 825
Azusa Nakano 711
Quarterfinals:
Taiga Aisaka 812
Isumi Saginomiya 736
Semifinals:
Taiga Aisaka 1077
Nodoka Haramura 998
Final:
Taiga Aisaka 1332
Yui Hirasawa 1278
Taiga Aisaka 1332
Yui Hirasawa 1278
2. Yui Hirasawa
Round 1:
Yui Hirasawa 708
Yaya Yuiki 258
Hiyori Tamura 121
Ameri Kawai 119
Round 2:
Yui Hirasawa 836
Rika Furude 773
Shimako Toudou 95
Round 3:
Yui Hirasawa 953
Hinagiku Katsura 935
Group E Final:
Yui Hirasawa 838
Minori Kushieda 752
Quarterfinals:
Yui Hirasawa 873
Koromo Amae 819
Semifinals:
Yui Hirasawa 1019
Mihoko Fukuji 988
Final:
Taiga Aisaka 1332
Yui Hirasawa 1278
3. Nodoka Haramura
Round 1:
Nodoka Haramura 655
Yui Kotegawa 268
Budoko 111
Yoshino Shimazu 48
Round 2:
Nodoka Haramura 702
Yoshika Miyafuji 397
Zange 204
Round 3:
Nodoka Haramura 741
Miyako Miyamura 380
Group H Final:
Nodoka Haramura 890
Nagi Sanzen'in 874
Quarterfinals:
Nodoka Haramura 910
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La valliere 716
Semifinals:
Taiga Aisaka 1077
Nodoka Haramura 998
4. Mihoko Fukuji
Round 1:
Mihoko Fukuji 649
Matsurika Shinouji 168
Ryofu Housen 94
Nena Trinity 87
Round 2:
Mihoko Fukuji 683
Mikoto Misaka 599
Touma Minami 71
Round 3:
Mihoko Fukuji 787
Ritsu Tainaka 445
Ushio Okazaki 345
Group G Final:
Mihoko Fukuji 770
Eruruu 441
Quarterfinals:
Mihoko Fukuji 660
Yuuki Kataoka 613
Semifinals:
Yui Hirasawa 1019
Mihoko Fukuji 988
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009: It's a double for Taiga Aisaka
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009:
It's a double for Taiga Aisaka!
It's a double for Taiga Aisaka!
By JR Salazar, Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
October 18, 2009
Up until mid-October, Suiseiseki was the only one able to win both the Japan 2chan Anime Saimoe and Anizone Best Moe Tournaments.
Now she has company. Tiger-sized company.
Meet Taiga Aisaka, the 2009 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament champion, who prevailed over Yui Hirasawa in a hotly-contested final, 1332-1278.
A final surge of support at the 11:00 PM hour, along with comfortable leads at the midway points, were the deciding factors in what has been another successful Anime Saimoe Tournament.
At Ohaji High School, a large banner read: "We Made History!" in Japanese, Korean and English. Other banners read, "We Did It!," "You're the greatest, Taiga!," "Roar to victory!," "Taiga earns her stripes!," "Move over Desu! Make room for the Tiger desu!" and "The Tigress of Asia, Taiga you are a goddess!" and even, "The next Prime Minister of Japan wields a wooden sword!" hung from the rafters.
Signs of Taiga's image were raised, free plush Tenori (Palmtop) Tigers were handed out, and flags of the school and the Toradora! logo waved into the crisp Tokyo night.
"Once again, three simple words: We Made History!" exclaimed a smiling Aisaka, surrounded by Ryuji Takasu, Minori Kushieda, Ami Kawashima and Yuusaku Kitamura. "And you all made it possible. Thank you everyone.
"To Yui, you fought a good race. I commend you for your efforts. I look forward to facing you at the ISML.
"To Ami and Minori. You are the best friends I could ever have. Thanks for the memories we had, and the memories we will now have.
"To Yuusaku. Even though you were someone I looked up to, I am glad you are someone I can depend on, even though you aren't the one I would give my life to. Thank you.
"And to Ryuji. We've been through so much, and I had to put up with you for sooooo long..." The crowd laughed. "No seriously, I have! But anyway, you've put a smile on my face for so many times that I can remember. I love you so much, if I was a cheesecake, I'm melting in your mouth right now. Thank you for giving me my strength, and believing in me."
"You're welcome, Taiga," he said, as they exchanged a deep kiss of affection. The crowd cheered, and some even cried.
"How about we thank them with a song?" asked Ami.
"Your choice, champ," Minori said, winking.
She thought about it, then said, "All right everyone. Pre-Parade and Orange. Everybody sing along!" And the crowd sang along, jumping to the beat and chanting to the music.
At Sakuragaoka High, the mood was surprisingly positive. When the results came out, there was applause. A few people held back tears, but everyone knew that they would accept the result, no matter where it went.
"I learned something important today," Hirasawa said, surrounded by the members of her band, their advisor Sawako Yamanaka and her sister Ui. "I lost to someone who wanted this more. And I'm fine with that. Even though I could not avenge Azunyan's defeat, I am glad that I lost to someone who wanted to make her own history.
"This journey was one of the best I ever had, and I know that bigger and brighter days will be waiting for me. If I had let anyone of you down," Yui said, "I'm sorry." And suddenly, the tears came out. "I'm really sorry that I couldn't win this for you. I really am."
Ui consoled her on stage.
"Keep you head up, Yui!" one supporter in the crowd said.
"You didn't let us down at all!' another said.
"You're better than the other 382 that competed this year!" said another.
"And you're always Number One with us!" exclaimed yet another. "Always! Forever!"
"You made us proud, Yui, never forget that!" shouted a fifth from the top of his lungs! "You are this school's heroine!"
And the crowd chanted her name. Yui, through her tears, radiated a large wide smile, and said, "Everybody, thank you very much for your support!" The whole crowd game a standing ovation. And her smile brought a sense of energy that drove her to scream, "FUWA FUWA TIME!"
The band played, and the crowd cheered as if they had won it all.
In the end, everybody won this tournament. Though Aisaka made her own set of history, Hirasawa held her head high for a strong campaign, and one that will be remembered in the annals of the history of the 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament.
ISML 2009: Fate rolls on yet again, and so does Tomoyo
ISML 2009: Fate rolls on yet again, and so does Tomoyo
October 16, 2009
Fate Testarossa Harlaown continues to defend her Tiara as if her life depended on it. She defeated Taiga Aisaka 1662-1600 in Round 3 of the Loser's Bracket at Point Omega, located 0.35 light years away from Sirius (also known as The Big Dog).
"Yuki Nagato is someone I know well," Harlaown said after her contest. "She will be intent to earn some payback for the defeat I dealt her in the final. This time I will have to be careful. She isn't an easy opponent to take down. Her resiliency is what got her here."
Meanwhile, at Point Psi, located 0.70 light years away, Tomoyo Sakagami kept hope alive for CLANNAD with a 1750-1481 victory.
"The battle with Kyou Fujibayashi will be about bragging right as to who is the best from my school, Hikarizaka High, and all of Setagaya ward," Sakagami said. "I want to put on a strong performance against who I feel is my strongest rival historically. In most circumstances, I have had the upper hand, but I do not want to underestimate her this time around."
Fujibayashi and Sakagami will clash at the North Magnetic Pole Arena on October 19. Harlaown and Nagato will duke it out at the South Magnetic Pole Stadium that same day.
In the classification matches, Horo stunned Nanoha Takamachi 1625-1521 at Point Nu while Suiseiseki easily clobbered Shinku 1731-1010 at Point Omicron.
A special match pitting Riza Hawkeye against the Golden Endless Witch of Rokkenjima known as Beatrice took place in Madrid. Beatrice won a thriller in the Spanish capital, 1350-1334.
"It's always nice to show what I can do," Beatrice said, with her signature pipe and butterflies surrounding her. "And I have a large arsenal to choose from." She was referring to the numerous furniture at her disposal.
The relegation rounds continued, too. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, who will be returning to the tournament via 2chan Anime Saimoe, defeated Index L. Prohibitorum 1753-1219 in Tokyo. Misuzu Kamio took out Evangeline McDowell 1628-1298 in New york City, Mai Kawasumi bulldozed Vita 1705-1283 in Buenos Aires, Mikoto Misaka whipped past Nayuki Minase 1747-1320 in Cairo, Ayu Tsukimiya and Sayuri Kurata battled to a 1341-1341 draw in Moscow, Reimu Hakurei took out Yuuhi Katagiri 1473-1308 in London and Hayate Yagami defeated Chii 1552-1432 in Sydney.
October 16, 2009
Fate Testarossa Harlaown continues to defend her Tiara as if her life depended on it. She defeated Taiga Aisaka 1662-1600 in Round 3 of the Loser's Bracket at Point Omega, located 0.35 light years away from Sirius (also known as The Big Dog).
"Yuki Nagato is someone I know well," Harlaown said after her contest. "She will be intent to earn some payback for the defeat I dealt her in the final. This time I will have to be careful. She isn't an easy opponent to take down. Her resiliency is what got her here."
Meanwhile, at Point Psi, located 0.70 light years away, Tomoyo Sakagami kept hope alive for CLANNAD with a 1750-1481 victory.
"The battle with Kyou Fujibayashi will be about bragging right as to who is the best from my school, Hikarizaka High, and all of Setagaya ward," Sakagami said. "I want to put on a strong performance against who I feel is my strongest rival historically. In most circumstances, I have had the upper hand, but I do not want to underestimate her this time around."
Fujibayashi and Sakagami will clash at the North Magnetic Pole Arena on October 19. Harlaown and Nagato will duke it out at the South Magnetic Pole Stadium that same day.
In the classification matches, Horo stunned Nanoha Takamachi 1625-1521 at Point Nu while Suiseiseki easily clobbered Shinku 1731-1010 at Point Omicron.
A special match pitting Riza Hawkeye against the Golden Endless Witch of Rokkenjima known as Beatrice took place in Madrid. Beatrice won a thriller in the Spanish capital, 1350-1334.
"It's always nice to show what I can do," Beatrice said, with her signature pipe and butterflies surrounding her. "And I have a large arsenal to choose from." She was referring to the numerous furniture at her disposal.
The relegation rounds continued, too. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, who will be returning to the tournament via 2chan Anime Saimoe, defeated Index L. Prohibitorum 1753-1219 in Tokyo. Misuzu Kamio took out Evangeline McDowell 1628-1298 in New york City, Mai Kawasumi bulldozed Vita 1705-1283 in Buenos Aires, Mikoto Misaka whipped past Nayuki Minase 1747-1320 in Cairo, Ayu Tsukimiya and Sayuri Kurata battled to a 1341-1341 draw in Moscow, Reimu Hakurei took out Yuuhi Katagiri 1473-1308 in London and Hayate Yagami defeated Chii 1552-1432 in Sydney.
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009 Final Preview
So here we are: the 2009 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament final, pitting Toradora!'s Taiga Aisaka against Yui Hirasawa of K-ON! This is proof that there are voters that are tired of the Saki characters stealing the show. This may deter that voter base, but those who want to see Aisaka win the East Asian Double and put her in the same company with Suiseiseki will be motivated by this.
Meanwhile, the K-ON! fan base got what they wanted. Actually, they would have preferred Mio Akiyama over this, but Yui is the next best thing.
Aisaka comes into this match having scored some notable victories over Azusa Nakano, Lynette Bishop, Maria, Isumi Saginomiya and Nodoka Haramura. Hirasawa has wins over Hinagiku Katsura, Minori Kushieda, Koromo Amae and Mihoko Fukuji to her credit.
Expect a large turnout of over 2,000 for this vote. I will be taking Taiga here to make history, but under 100 votes.
Taiga Aisaka def. Yui Hirasawa by <100
Over/Under: 2000
Over
BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 3, 13th-16th classification, Special Exhibition and ISML Relegation, Day 6
ISML Tiara Loser's Bracket Round 3
ARENA 01: Hiiragi Kagami [Sakagami Tomoyo]
ARENA 02: Fate Testarossa [Aisaka Taiga]
ISML 13th-16th Classification
ARENA 03: Holo [Takamachi Nanoha]
ARENA 04: [Suiseiseki] Shinku
ISML Relegation, Day 6
ARENA 05: [Louise Vallière] Index Prohibitorum
ARENA 06: Kamio Misuzu [Evangeline McDowell]
ARENA 07: [Kawasumi Mai] Vita
ARENA 08: Misaka Mikoto [Minase Nayuki]
ARENA 09: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Kurata Sayuri
ARENA 10: [Hakurei Reimu] Katagiri Yūhi
ARENA 11: Chii [Yagami Hayate]
Special Exhibition
ARENA 12: Riza Hawkeye [Beatrice]
ARENA 01: Hiiragi Kagami [Sakagami Tomoyo]
ARENA 02: Fate Testarossa [Aisaka Taiga]
ISML 13th-16th Classification
ARENA 03: Holo [Takamachi Nanoha]
ARENA 04: [Suiseiseki] Shinku
ISML Relegation, Day 6
ARENA 05: [Louise Vallière] Index Prohibitorum
ARENA 06: Kamio Misuzu [Evangeline McDowell]
ARENA 07: [Kawasumi Mai] Vita
ARENA 08: Misaka Mikoto [Minase Nayuki]
ARENA 09: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Kurata Sayuri
ARENA 10: [Hakurei Reimu] Katagiri Yūhi
ARENA 11: Chii [Yagami Hayate]
Special Exhibition
ARENA 12: Riza Hawkeye [Beatrice]
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009: Yui advances to the Final
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009: Yui advances to the Final
October 16, 2009
The 200 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament final has been set: Yui Hirasawa will take on Taiga Aisaka for the title.
The lead guitarist of Sakuragaoka High School's K-ON! (a.k.a. Hokago Tea Time on campus) held off a late push by Mihoko Fukuji of Saki to win, 1019-988.
"We are here to prevent Taiga Aisaka from getting the double," close friend/bassist Mio Akiyama said after the contest. "This one's for Yui."
"No matter what happens now," said Hirasawa after the match, "it will have been a proud achievement to have finished in the top two of this tournament."
Fukuji ends her 2chan Anime Saimoe run in fourth, while Nodoka Haramura finishes third. The final will take place October 17.
October 16, 2009
The 200 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament final has been set: Yui Hirasawa will take on Taiga Aisaka for the title.
The lead guitarist of Sakuragaoka High School's K-ON! (a.k.a. Hokago Tea Time on campus) held off a late push by Mihoko Fukuji of Saki to win, 1019-988.
"We are here to prevent Taiga Aisaka from getting the double," close friend/bassist Mio Akiyama said after the contest. "This one's for Yui."
"No matter what happens now," said Hirasawa after the match, "it will have been a proud achievement to have finished in the top two of this tournament."
Fukuji ends her 2chan Anime Saimoe run in fourth, while Nodoka Haramura finishes third. The final will take place October 17.
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009: Taiga through to the final
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009: Taiga through to the final
October 14, 2009
Taiga Aisaka is one victory away from securing the East Asian Double. She defeated Nodoka Haramura 1077-998 in the 2009 2cdhan Anime Saimoe Tournament Semi-finals.
Aisaka will face either Mihoko Fukuji or Yui Hirasawa in the final. The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue has predicted that it will be a Taiga-Yui final, since Hirasawa is tabbed to win this match easily.
Aisaka, however, disagrees.
"Obviously, you never want to underestimate your opponent," said Aisaka, preparing for her battle with defending International Saimoe League champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown at Point Omega. "Fukuji will represent the only hope remaining for Saki, and voters should not be surprised if she makes a push late in this match."
When asked about who she would rather face, it was not a difficult decision.
"I want Yui," she replied. "I need to earn my payback for what she did to my good friend Minori, among starters. Plus, I want a challenge. Yui provides that. I look forward to it."
The final is scheduled for October 17.
October 14, 2009
Taiga Aisaka is one victory away from securing the East Asian Double. She defeated Nodoka Haramura 1077-998 in the 2009 2cdhan Anime Saimoe Tournament Semi-finals.
Aisaka will face either Mihoko Fukuji or Yui Hirasawa in the final. The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue has predicted that it will be a Taiga-Yui final, since Hirasawa is tabbed to win this match easily.
Aisaka, however, disagrees.
"Obviously, you never want to underestimate your opponent," said Aisaka, preparing for her battle with defending International Saimoe League champion Fate Testarossa Harlaown at Point Omega. "Fukuji will represent the only hope remaining for Saki, and voters should not be surprised if she makes a push late in this match."
When asked about who she would rather face, it was not a difficult decision.
"I want Yui," she replied. "I need to earn my payback for what she did to my good friend Minori, among starters. Plus, I want a challenge. Yui provides that. I look forward to it."
The final is scheduled for October 17.
ISML 2009: Shana and Hinagiku progress to Tiara Winner's Bracket Final
ISML 2009: Shana and Hinagiku progress to Tiara Winner's Bracket Final
October 14, 2009
As the ISML 2009 Tiara postseason double-elimination commenced, Shana continues to hold the upper hand, while the SOS Brigade's chances took a further hit with Hinagiku Katsura bucking the trends yet again.
The overall #1 seed defeated Kyou Fujibayashi at Point Phi, located 1.40 years away from Sirius (a.k.a. the Big Dog), 1549-1386.
"My mission from the first day was to finish at the top," Shana said after the contest, munching on what was reported to be her 98th melon bread loaf. "As it stands, I am two wins away from seeing all my hard work come to fruition.
"Hinagiku Katsura was the last opponent I faced in the regular season, and she wants payback in our battle in our fight at the Chromosphaira Arena. I won't let that happen."
Katsura's 1615-1291 victory over Yuki Nagato at Point Chi (located 1.05 light years away from Sirius) deals a further blow to the SOS Brigade's hopes to win the crown, as it relegates Nagato to the Loser's Bracket.
"Nagato has been able to scrape out a victory before in the Loser's Bracket, so I will be wary of her," Katsura said after the contest. "Personally, the setbacks I had in Japan and Korea left quite a bad taste in my mouth. This is just part of the healing process as far as I am concerned.
"I won't be satisfied here. I am two straight victories away from winning the Tiara just like Shana, and I know that even if I beat Shana, she will bounce back to meet me again. I won't leave anything to chance. This is war. This is fun. And this is how I like it."
Shana and Hinagiku will meet at Chromosphaira on October 22.
Meanwhile, the Spanish capital of Madrid-known for its series of exhibition matches-offered another one.
The show Saki may see one of its own characters win the 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament, but it will take time before the stars from the Big Four powers of Kiyosumi High, Ryuumonbuchi High, Kazekoshi Girls School and Tsuruga Academy will be embraced in full.
Saki Miyanaga, the +/- 0 ace from Kiyosumi, fell to Rei Ayanami 1528-1118.
"I don't know if I have ever been given the opportunity to compete in a tournament like the ISML," Ayanami said after the match. "But if I am given the opportunity, my goal is to put in a strong, brave performance. I take this match as seriously as any battle that demands my services."
In the first set of the 13-16th place classification matches, Horo defeated Suiseiseki 1647-1122 on Point Nu, and Nanoha Takamachi demolished Shinku 1580-1173 at Point Omicron.
Finally, the ISML Relegation Rounds continued. In Round 4, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere rose to the top of the table with a 1590-1067 victory over Evangeline McDowell in Tokyo. Misuzu Kamio defeated Chii 1370 in New Yorn, Mai Kawasumi prevailed over Index L. Prohibitorum 1496-1227 in Buenos Aires, Mikoto Misaka flattened Vita 1694-886 in Cairo, Ayu Tsukimiya whipped past Nayuki Minase 1289-1056 in Moscow, Reimu Hakurei laid the ofuda on Hayate Yagami 1361-1095 in London and Sayuri Kurata took out Yuuhi Katagiri 1352-1251 in Sydney.
October 14, 2009
As the ISML 2009 Tiara postseason double-elimination commenced, Shana continues to hold the upper hand, while the SOS Brigade's chances took a further hit with Hinagiku Katsura bucking the trends yet again.
The overall #1 seed defeated Kyou Fujibayashi at Point Phi, located 1.40 years away from Sirius (a.k.a. the Big Dog), 1549-1386.
"My mission from the first day was to finish at the top," Shana said after the contest, munching on what was reported to be her 98th melon bread loaf. "As it stands, I am two wins away from seeing all my hard work come to fruition.
"Hinagiku Katsura was the last opponent I faced in the regular season, and she wants payback in our battle in our fight at the Chromosphaira Arena. I won't let that happen."
Katsura's 1615-1291 victory over Yuki Nagato at Point Chi (located 1.05 light years away from Sirius) deals a further blow to the SOS Brigade's hopes to win the crown, as it relegates Nagato to the Loser's Bracket.
"Nagato has been able to scrape out a victory before in the Loser's Bracket, so I will be wary of her," Katsura said after the contest. "Personally, the setbacks I had in Japan and Korea left quite a bad taste in my mouth. This is just part of the healing process as far as I am concerned.
"I won't be satisfied here. I am two straight victories away from winning the Tiara just like Shana, and I know that even if I beat Shana, she will bounce back to meet me again. I won't leave anything to chance. This is war. This is fun. And this is how I like it."
Shana and Hinagiku will meet at Chromosphaira on October 22.
Meanwhile, the Spanish capital of Madrid-known for its series of exhibition matches-offered another one.
The show Saki may see one of its own characters win the 2chan Anime Saimoe Tournament, but it will take time before the stars from the Big Four powers of Kiyosumi High, Ryuumonbuchi High, Kazekoshi Girls School and Tsuruga Academy will be embraced in full.
Saki Miyanaga, the +/- 0 ace from Kiyosumi, fell to Rei Ayanami 1528-1118.
"I don't know if I have ever been given the opportunity to compete in a tournament like the ISML," Ayanami said after the match. "But if I am given the opportunity, my goal is to put in a strong, brave performance. I take this match as seriously as any battle that demands my services."
In the first set of the 13-16th place classification matches, Horo defeated Suiseiseki 1647-1122 on Point Nu, and Nanoha Takamachi demolished Shinku 1580-1173 at Point Omicron.
Finally, the ISML Relegation Rounds continued. In Round 4, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere rose to the top of the table with a 1590-1067 victory over Evangeline McDowell in Tokyo. Misuzu Kamio defeated Chii 1370 in New Yorn, Mai Kawasumi prevailed over Index L. Prohibitorum 1496-1227 in Buenos Aires, Mikoto Misaka flattened Vita 1694-886 in Cairo, Ayu Tsukimiya whipped past Nayuki Minase 1289-1056 in Moscow, Reimu Hakurei laid the ofuda on Hayate Yagami 1361-1095 in London and Sayuri Kurata took out Yuuhi Katagiri 1352-1251 in Sydney.
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009 Semifinals Preview
So, with hours to go before the semis, I wil provide my preview of these 2chan Anime Saimoe 2009 crackers of clashes. You can vote on this by going to www.animesaimoe.org.
Strawberries? Or Oranges? Flat? Or Fat? Small? Or Big? Kendo? Or Mahjong? These are choice we as votes on 2chan must deal with. Never mind that we have to take into consideration who the survivors have defeated, which factions are making the push, and who does not have what it takes to win the crown.
Taiga Aisaka is someone that has already been at the top. In the Korea Anizone Best Moe tournament, she disposed of Kagami Hiiragi by a mere three votes to clinch her first championship. The Japanese bloc of voters supported Taiga in this instance, and they are looking to make her the first character since Suiseiseki to win the East Asian Double.
Nodoka Haramura, however, is a different case. Endowed to the point where her bust would make for a satisfying pillow for anybody, the mahjong superstar has made a habit of dismissing those with A-cups left and right. Case in point: her victory over Nagi Sanzen'in in the Group H final.
But Nodoka's charm outside of her bust may be a compelling reason to vote Haramura through. But with Taiga's Korea victory and continuing battles in the ISML, the push for the double continues.
Taiga Aisaka def. Nodoka Haramura by >100 votes
Over/Under: 1700
Over
Hello, hello, hello; we sure weren't expecting this. Or were we? It's the Captain vs. the Retard! No, that's not right. How about this: it's Hisa Takei's blonde uke b**** vs. Azunyan's Obsessed Master with the Gitah! No, no, that's not right either. A-ha! I got it. Excuse me while I clear my throat while continuing. Ahem.
Mihoko Fukuji vs. Yui Hirasawa is an intriguing match worth looking at. Hirasawa will come into this contest with seemingly meritorious victories over Hinagiku Katsura and Minori Kushieda, as well as a chance to get payback for Fukuji's win over Ritsu Tainaka in Round 3.
The bookies are looking at Fukuji at the underdog in this semi, and with good reason. Aside from her win over Tainaka, Fukuji's only big win came against Mikoto Misaka. Her win over Eruruu was a walk-over after the biggest threat in Yuki Nagato was stopped by the stalwart of Utawarerumono fame.
In a tournament like 2chan Anime Saimoe, one should never take their opponents lightly. But the outcome here should be predictable and expected. The lead guitarist from K-ON! will be in the final easily.
Yui Hirasawa def. Mihoko Fukuji by >100
Over/Under: 1750
Over
Taiga Aisaka is someone that has already been at the top. In the Korea Anizone Best Moe tournament, she disposed of Kagami Hiiragi by a mere three votes to clinch her first championship. The Japanese bloc of voters supported Taiga in this instance, and they are looking to make her the first character since Suiseiseki to win the East Asian Double.
Nodoka Haramura, however, is a different case. Endowed to the point where her bust would make for a satisfying pillow for anybody, the mahjong superstar has made a habit of dismissing those with A-cups left and right. Case in point: her victory over Nagi Sanzen'in in the Group H final.
But Nodoka's charm outside of her bust may be a compelling reason to vote Haramura through. But with Taiga's Korea victory and continuing battles in the ISML, the push for the double continues.
Taiga Aisaka def. Nodoka Haramura by >100 votes
Over/Under: 1700
Over
Hello, hello, hello; we sure weren't expecting this. Or were we? It's the Captain vs. the Retard! No, that's not right. How about this: it's Hisa Takei's blonde uke b**** vs. Azunyan's Obsessed Master with the Gitah! No, no, that's not right either. A-ha! I got it. Excuse me while I clear my throat while continuing. Ahem.
Mihoko Fukuji vs. Yui Hirasawa is an intriguing match worth looking at. Hirasawa will come into this contest with seemingly meritorious victories over Hinagiku Katsura and Minori Kushieda, as well as a chance to get payback for Fukuji's win over Ritsu Tainaka in Round 3.
The bookies are looking at Fukuji at the underdog in this semi, and with good reason. Aside from her win over Tainaka, Fukuji's only big win came against Mikoto Misaka. Her win over Eruruu was a walk-over after the biggest threat in Yuki Nagato was stopped by the stalwart of Utawarerumono fame.
In a tournament like 2chan Anime Saimoe, one should never take their opponents lightly. But the outcome here should be predictable and expected. The lead guitarist from K-ON! will be in the final easily.
Yui Hirasawa def. Mihoko Fukuji by >100
Over/Under: 1750
Over
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009 Tournament Top 5-8
5. Koromo Amae
Round 1:
Koromo Amae 585
Izumi Segawa 583
Miyako 191
Noriko Nijou 65
Round 2:
Koromo Amae 689
Sakuya Aizawa 463
Erica Hartmann 151
Round 3:
Koromo Amae 792
Hanyuu Furude 566
Group D Final:
Koromo Amae 700
Amu Hinamori 440
Quarterfinals:
Yui Hirasawa 873
Koromo Amae 819
6. Isumi Saginomiya
Round 1:
Isumi Saginomiya 607
Haruka Minami 454
Kafuka Fuura 118
Tiffania Westwood 65
Round 2:
Isumi Saginomiya 607
Kana Minami 457
Perrine H. Clostermann 163
Round 3:
Isumi Saginomiya 475
Nagi 415
Group B Final:
Isumi Saginomiya 759
Kana Ikeda 737
Quarterfinals:
Taiga Aisaka 812
Isumi Saginomiya 736
7. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere
Round 1:
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 413
Sae 218
Lunar Edomae 212
Chiharu Harukaze 83
Round 2:
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 664
Hisa Takei 633
Mio Sakamoto 162
Round 3:
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 784
Mion Sonozaki 559
Group C Final:
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 846
Momoko Touyoko 837
Quarterfinals:
Nodoka Haramura 910
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 716
8. Yuuki Kataoka
Round 1:
Yuuki Kataoka 521
Gertrud Barkhorn 253
Saki Tenjouin 118
Kaoru Akashi 73
Round 2:
Yuuki Kataoka 661
Mei Sunohara 485
Minato Nagase 129
Round 3:
Yuuki Kataoka 878
Utau Hoshina 384
Group A Final:
Yuuki Kataoka 734
Chiaki Minami 545
Quarterfinals:
Mihoko Fukuji 660
Yuuki Kataoka 613
2chan Anime Saimoe 2009 Tournament Top 9-16
Round 1:
Nagi Sanzen'in 687
Sheryl Nome 207
Ai Haibara 187
Kozue Orihara 84
Round 2:
Nagi Sanzen'in 669
Rena Ryuuguu 430
Yumiko Christina Ichinose 86
Round 3:
Nagi Sanzen'in 889
Saki Miyanaga 770
Group H Final:
Nodoka Haramura 890
Nagi Sanzen'in 874
10. Momoko Touyoko
Round 1:
Momoko Touyoko 584
Tsumugi Kotobuki 414
Aruruu 152
Rebecca Miyamoto 116
Round 2:
Momoko Touyoko 675
Kotomi Ichinose 432
Megumi Kamigaki 48
Round 3:
Momoko Touyoko 770
Kyou Fujibayashi 657
Group C Final:
Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 846
Momoko Touyoko 837
Round 1:
Minori Kushieda 494
Kagome Ikaruga 238
Klan Klan 143
Miyo Takano 106
Round 2:
Minori Kushieda 494
Teru Miyanaga 209
Miyuki Takara 138
Round 3:
Miniri Kushieda 866
Ayumu Nishizawa 656
Group E Final:
Yui Hirasawa 838
Minori Kushieda 752
Round 1:
Kana Ikeda 617
Karen Kozuki (Stadtfeld) 262
Kyouka Midarezaki 146
Yukari Sahashi 93
Round 2:
Kana Ikeda 591
Horo 454
Tsukasa Hiiragi 406
Round 3:
Kana Ikeda 713
Fuuko Ibuki 625
Group B Final:
Isumi Saginomiya 759
Kana Ikeda 737
Round 1:
Azusa Nakano 611
Index L. Prohibitorum 584
Nia Teppelin 87
Kaori Kanzaki 75
Round 2:
Azusa Nakano 658
Kuroko Shirai 256
Mizore Shirayuki 110
Round 3:
Azusa Nakano 885
Nagisa Furukawa 723
Group F Final:
Taiga Aisaka 825
Azusa Nakano 711
Round 1:
Chiaki Minami 386
Isara Gunther 206
Mei Isayama 141
Eriko Futami 97
Nagi Hirono 75
Round 2:
Chiaki Minami 583
Last Order 467
Yutaka Kobayakawa 271
Round 3:
Chiaki Minami 477
Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke 394
Group A Final:
Yuuki Kataoka 734
Chiaki Minami 545
15. Eruruu
Round 1:
Eruruu 362
Coopa 220
Misato Katsuragi 156
Abiru Kobushi 140
Round 2:
Eruruu 434
Haruhi Suzumiya 434
Kamyu 106
Round 3:
Eruruu 534
Yuki Nagato 397
Haruhi Suzumiya 149
Group G Final:
Mihoko Fukuji 770
Eruruu 441
16. Amu Hinamori
Round 1:
Amu Hinamori 588
Ui Hirasawa 491
Corticarte Apa Lagranges 141
Aisa Himegami 120
Round 2:
Amu Hinamori 336
Alicia Melchiott 338
Kanu Unchou 209
Round 3:
Amu Hinamori 655
Komoe Tsukuyomi 569
Group D Final
Koromo Amae 700
Amu Hinamori 440
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