USQ Cup: Club Rankins 4-1
Voters: Soleil Heaney, Jordi Christan Sancho, Trenton Paskero, Mohamed Yahia Monawar, Chris Dorsey, Peter Lawrence, & Tim Kwan
4. Twin Cities 117
3. Boom Train 128
2. BosNy 131
1. The Warriors 140
TCQC
Assessing Frost, one might find their full potential shrouded by uncertainties, particularly in light of fluctuating roster dynamics. Yet, the metrics hint at their prowess. They've displayed proficiency in dispatching teams beneath them, engaging in tit-for-tat battles with Heat. Nonetheless, they appear to fall shy of the top echelon occupied by the upper-tier contenders. Their adeptness at seeking has proven instrumental in securing victories, even serving to narrow the margin in their encounter with Boom Train courtesy of a Mike Devine flag grab. Should they maintain parity or hold a slender advantage post-seeker floor, their odds against the premier teams augur favorably.
Despite their premier seeking game, they have yet to triumph over Boom Train, BosNy, or Warriors, tallying a collective 0-5 record against them. With a complete roster at their disposal for nationals, they're poised to sustain their superiority over Heat but must yet surmount the hurdle posed by the elite triumvirate.
With an offense dominated by the production of Max Meier, the return of Luke Zak at full form looms large on the horizon, while the adept beating of Cody Narveson and Gracie Johnson promises extended opportunities in the snitch game, potentially setting the stage for pivotal catches, either by them or the ever-reliable Mike Devine in his 2023 MLQ champs form.
Boom Train
Nearly securing a berth in the finals last season and ascending to the MLQ Finals as Prowl, Boom Train have penned a narrative brimming with promise. Bolstered by the young additions of Ryan Hsu and Channun Ong to their beater corps, they stand poised to stake a claim as the nation's finest. With the return of Kennedy Murphy to the roster, alongside Ally Manzella and Emma Vasquez, Boom Train is poised to have the strongest female chasing squad in the league.
Their games have often mirrored epics, drawing parallels to the Warriors with a pair of closely contested encounters at CCI. However, amidst their gallant feats, a tapestry of close contests with various rosters weaves a narrative of fluctuating fortunes. While the allure of Boom Train's early victories against BosNy tantalizes, it's BosNy's steadfast consistency in the face of roster flux that earns them the edge.
Boom Train's odyssey through the season has been defined by nail-biting confrontations, not only against the Warriors but also against TCQC and the Boston Pandas. The ebb and flow of their roster dynamics raises the vexing query: which iteration of Boom Train will grace the national stage? Anticipation mounts for clashes against BosNy and the Warriors, yet it's BosNy's commanding quadball point differential that tips the scales in their favor presently.
BosNy
BosNy’s chasers epitomize world-class talent, boasting arguably the deepest bench in the league at this position. With a multitude of scoring threats peppered across each line, they eagerly convert aggressive defensive maneuvers into swift offensive onslaughts. Yet, the crux lies in their beater depth. The formidable partnership of Leanne Dillman and Kieran Collier promises ample opportunities for their chasers, yet the question remains whether their reserve ranks of Steven Belitzky, Brooke Smiley and the rest of the BosNy beating corps can match the formidable depth of contenders like Boom Train and the Warriors.
One of the greater—albeit fortunate for BosNy—enigmas this season has been BosNy's ability to excel despite roster limitations throughout the season. With a full complement, they possess the potential to disrupt the equilibrium, particularly for the Warriors. Across three games against Boom Train, BosNy boasts a quadball point differential of +80, falling short in two encounters at the Boston Qualifier and CCI by the slimmest of margins—a flag catch (technically a catch and a goal at CCI). Both adversaries have grappled with depleted rosters at various junctures during their three matchups. Additionally, BosNy anticipates the return of their top seekers for nationals, Tyler Trudeau and Kit Powpour. While the choice between BosNy and Boom Train hangs in the balance, leaning on quadball goal differential, BosNy inches ahead in a head-to-head scenario.
On paper, BosNy stands as one of the league's most formidable juggernauts in terms of depth. With players of Team USA caliber gracing multiple lines, they present a formidable challenge. Although Boom Train gains the upper hand over BosNy in the aforementioned comparison, both teams fiercely contend for a coveted position on the bracket opposite the Warriors. An often overlooked aspect, however, is BosNy's steadfast commitment to gender diversity, exemplified by their starting lineup configured at 2-2-2, featuring two male, two female, and two non-binary players—a provision not merely meeting but exceeding the 3-max mandate. Moreover, the stellar defensive prowess exhibited by Carsen Olazaba and Peter Lawrence this season bolsters the team's backline, not to mention the hometown hero, Brian McClannahan, whose contributions remain integral. The addition of McClannahan also garners praise, further fortifying BosNy’s beating ranks after Dillman and Collier.
The Warriors
This season's Warriors could be likened to the Golden State Warriors clinching the NBA Finals in 2016 and still securing Kevin Durant during the off-season. Thus far, their closest encounters have been against Boom Train back in December at CCI (115-100, 150-135). While game 2 proved too close for comfort for the Warriors with a Boom Train flag grab, this scenario is unlikely to repeat with Ryan Davis donning the yellow headband. Armed with championship experience from the previous USQ Cup (and for much of the roster, the IQA World Cup), the Warriors stand as a formidable giant, poised to thwart any David in their path.
Unquestionably the favorites, boasting an undefeated record this season and as reigning champions, they arguably present a stronger lineup than the previous year, bolstered by pivotal acquisitions across all positions. Their roster features notable additions such as the aforementioned Davis, and Daniel Williams who donned the infamous Warriors’ kit at CCI. Furthermore, the acquisitions of Miguel Esparza from Heat and Molly Potter from Slice, alongside the potential return of a fully recovered Rachel Ayella-Silver, promise to elevate them to the apex. Their depth is simply staggering with Jon Jackson and Lindsey Marella unequivocally demonstrating their prowess as two of the premier two-way players in not only the league but also possibly the world. While there will be challenges for a potential championship repeat, for now, the world is the Warriors’ oyster.
Editors: David Banas & Christian Barnes
