Evansville, IN

Windy takes 3-point win after grinding game against Texas

By Ninja Sass'em

Windy City (seed #3, ranked #11) held on by the skin of their teeth to best the Texecutioners (seed #2, ranked #6) and gain a spot in the WFTDA Championships, winning 176-173 in game 12 of the international Division 1 WFTDA playoffs in Evansville, Indiana.

A string of lead jams going to Windy early started things off in their favor 12-2.

Jam 6 saw Sandrine Rangeon taking lead but getting sent to the penaty box on a track cut. Trauma, a recent Texas addition out of Kansas City, recycled Rangeon mercilessly, after her 30 seconds were up, as Hauss the Boss went red hot, putting up 20 points to regain the lead.

Texas' Fifi Nomenon was sent on a back block penalty creating a power jam situation for Windy jammer Juniper Simonis. Fifi returned to the track only to go right back on a subsequent back block. Meawhile, Windy City stole the lead back 36-24.

Texas was in early penalty trouble after only the first 12 minutes, with their players having 15 trips to the box.

In Jam 11, Texas jammer Olivia Shootin' John took lead and grabbed 3 points, pulling within 2 points of Windy City.

Hauss the Boss pulled a jammer-on-jammer force out on Simonis, who had grabbed lead, dragging them back toward the awaiting blockers. Once swallowed by the Texas pack, Windy decided to call it off.

Texas pulled ahead 64-58 after a 9-point jam by OJ, and Fifi added 4 more to bring the score to 68-61 Texas.

Simonis flipped the script and put Windy back on top after an 8-point jam.

Hauss obtained lead and after a star pass from Varla Vandetta to Jackie Daniels, and Windy City hit the box for a back block. Subsequently, Hauss took her own turn in the penalty box for a back block. Another track cut penalty against Jackie Daniels ended the jam. Windy held a 1-point lead 74-73.

Tough grinding defense would be the name of this game as blockers from both teams stalled the opposing jammers and the score just inched up in bits and pieces.

Rangeon took advantage of a power jam when Fifi was sent to the penalty box, putting 13 points on the board.

The halftime score was indicative of this game's intensity. After 5 lead changes, Windy was on top 87-82.

Penalties were exactly even, with both teams showing 22 box trips. Texas blockers Trauma and Barbara Ambush were each sitting on 4 penalties, as well as Windy blockers Tamikaze and Bork Bork Bork.

Simonis took lead in the first jam of the second half with Hauss stuck behind a tough white wall of Jackie Daniels, Yvette Yourmaker and KonichiWOW. Simonis grabbed 5 and calls the jam.

Smarty Pants jumped into the Texas jammer rotation getting lead and a power jam when Ying of Fire cut the track. However, a forearm call on Smarty sprung Ying and the jam went the full 2 minutes. Fifi, Trauma and Sara Hipel gave Ying fits. Texas took 9 points to Windy's 5, bringing the score to 93 Texas, 97 Windy City.

OJ grabs lead while Polly Gone and Bitter Cup work on Ying. Unfortunately a track cut sent her to the box just as she had pulled within 1 point. OJ escaped the penalty box just to immediately be resent on a back block call. Windy led 125-116 and Texas called a timeout to regroup.

Pecking away, Windy slowly moved the score up. With 13:30 left the score is 143-117 Windy still leading.

Hauss grabbed lead and 13 points bringing the score to within 19. Rangeon was called on a track cut, creating a Texas power jam, but a forearm call sends OJ to the box as well. 2 minute bulldog ends in a score of 134-160 Windy still lead.

Texas blocker Barbara Ambush fouled out with 7 penalties.

Simonis grabbed lead but also a forearm penalty. With Smarty on a power jam for Texas, Polly Gone, Debella Deball and Fifi absolutely destroy Simonis recycling them repeatedly. Smarty put up 21 points.

A track cut for Rangeon created a power jam for Hauss. 4-2 pack advantage while Windy sits leaving only Jackie Daniels and Bork Bork Bork to defend.

Texas led by a single point after that, and Windy Bench Coach Justice Feelgood Marshall requested a timeout.

With 3:10 left to play, Simonis lined up against Smarty Pants, Sargentina pulled a track cut against Smarty, leaving Simonis on a power jam and Windy is back on top 176-172.

An elbow penalty for Texas’ Hauss the Boss sealed the deal, and Windy City took the win over Texas 176-173.

Windy City advances to play London Brawling in the final game tomorrow at 6:00pm CDT, while Texas will play Jacksonville for 3rd at 4pm CDT.