December is here, and with Christmas and the Holiday season right around the corner, the BackYard is busy with events. Everyone in town is talking about the SCA’s venue and how much fun it is at the BackYard. The club is quickly booking up with private events, and our Funholio’s are becoming the place to play on Friday night. People have heard or experienced the fun and are booking their groups to come and play. Consider this your reminder to register earlier for Friday night Funholio’s because I anticipate every Friday in December will sell out.
I want to remind all the loyal SCA players and their partners to keep New Year open for the best party in town as we host our inaugural New Year’s supper and party on Sunday, Dec 31, 2023. The New Year’s supper and party is our opportunity to thank and give back to our players and their families. We are showing our appreciation for all you have done to keep the club firing on all cylinders. understanding that not everyone’s partners want to play or want to watch their partners play cornhole all the time the night will have no scheduled cornhole events. The New Year’s party will be a fun night of dancing, great music, and games for everyone. I hope everyone can make it out. Tickets will cost $20 a person, and we will give out over $1000 in door prizes, party favors, champagne, and a great pulled Pork/Brisket meal.
After last week’s busyness, the club was back at it this week. The BackYard hosted team building nights for a group of Nurses out of the Pasqua hospital, Mobius benefits, and HBI office supplies.
The ladies were back in action on Monday night. 8 Ladies battled it out in the Ladies Fun Night. Lynette led the way with her play, averaging 5.19 PPR on the night. She did not falter throughout the bracket play as she went undefeated, beating Diva Dianne in the final.
Tuesday was a Singles night; the players were back at it Tuesday and hot off the Regional event on Sunday.
Let us start with Tier 4 because we may have seen a shift in the play. I know it’s only one week, but the two top Pigeon’s wings are tired, and a couple of pigeons with strong wings are gaining ground (shall we say taking flight). Tuesday saw a podium finish with Ringo at the top, defeating Bonnie in the final. Ringo did not have a great PPR during the night but took advantage of players who were not shooting their best. The third spot, one would think, was last week’s number one, but it was not. Ritzy slid into the third spot. This night shows that PPR, as much as it is important, does not always translate to wins. Stich had the high PPR on the night as it neared 7, but he could only manage a fourth-place finish.
Tier 5 – The Hawk Division had an SCL Lady flying high in the sky. Like Tier 4, Crystal did not have the greatest round-robin, nor was her PPR the greatest on the night, but she ended up in the winner’s circle nonetheless. She found her game in the bracket as she had to go through Spilly, Newson, and Glen to sit in the Queen’s seat. In the end Newson ended his night in second spot, with Glen taking the Bronze. SureFire, who led the night with an 8.49 PPR, could not translate the PPR into wins on this night. Great shooting, Hawks.
Wednesday, the Seniors League had ten players come out and throw. This league is fun because every week, we see players starting in the Wednesday afternoon league make it out to other Backyard events in the BackYard. The competition was fierce this Wednesday afternoon as Dean and Delgado, sitting in the King Seat, were up against Michell the Robot and Chuck Newson. The Robot and Chuck destroyed the King seat sitters 21-1 in game one. The battle was closer in game two as Delgado and Dean found their game and took down the title. I was informed that another hawk will join Dean in the Wednesday Seniors League after the New Year. I am unsure which Franco is looking forward to more, the Seniors League gameplay or the senior’s restaurant discount.
Friday Night FunHolio had over 65 players come out and play, twenty-five of which had played less than ten games of cornhole. 35% of the players on Friday were newbies. Every week, this number grows because it is such a great and fun time. The atmosphere was electric, and for $20, there is no better value, and players never leave disappointed. Parker and Reggie double-dipped Ritzy and myself to win the night.
POWER RANKING –
The TIER 3 power ranking. I have said that I think this ranking is a four-person race. This week, I see it as a two or three-person battle. It may be good to have two spots at the bottom because five or six players have the skill to claim one of these two spots.
1ST – Krentzy – Parker did not play in any competitive events this week but will stay at my number one.
2ND – Newson – A strong finish in Tuesday’s league night has Newson strongly planted in the second spot. As it sits right now, he can only go in one direction, but it will be interesting to see if Parker has something to say about it.
3RD – Jonathon – Jon did not throw this week, but I am moving him up more because I do not think Spilly’s game is where it needs to be to stay in the third spot. Maybe it is a luxury for Jonathon because I do not see him throw, but I think Jonathon would have the edge if the two faced off.
4TH – Crystal – With a great Tuesday night throwing when she needed to, she climbs into the fourth spot. Crystal has been throwing great for weeks and knocking off some of the best Hawks in Tier 3. I struggled if she should be four or five, but with a win against Spilly on Tuesday, I moved her ahead of him. I am intrigued to see if she can continue excelling in her game.
5TH – Spilly – Even if you ask Dylan, he will tell you he has been struggling. Could he go from the fifth to the Number 1 spot? Hell, yes, but as of this week, he slipped to number five in my ranking.
The Hawk division is so interesting, and if we could see every player every week, some names would be added to the mix. Glen, Caesar, Franco, Rick, Damara, Patches, and Dean can hit the top five any week, but players like Presley, Louie, Tony, Bobber, and Brendan are examples of players that, if they came out every week, would make my picks more difficult.
Tier 4/5 power ranking – Tier 4 is tightening up, and it is great to see. This week’s ranking might shock some, but I have seen enough to be bold and name a new person to the Number one spot.
1ST – Ringo – with the win Tuesday, he moves into the number two spot. I struggled to decide whether one win was enough to have him jump the two powerhouses in Tier 4. I looked back, and last week, he did finish third in the Regional, and he is leading Cornhole Canada in Tier 4 points. He has had 2 Regional wins and one Local Tournament win. I put him here, but he is positioned there by a very light thread, and I want to see if he can continue to move his game forward.
2ND Stich – even though he had the highest PPR Tuesday, it does not change the fact he could not hit the podium. However, he played our friend from Saskatoon the best at Regionals, so I gave the Second spot edge to Stich over Bonnie.
3RD – Bonnie – Like I said in the Number Two ranked person, we are up to a three-person race for the top spot. Bonnie, when she is on, is almost unbeatable in Tier 4. Bonnie is working hard, and maybe after the New Year, when she moves to Team Ultra, we will see her find that groove and leave the boys in this division behind her.
4TH – Ritzy – The top three right now are in a class of their own, but a deck-building pigeon is scoping them out. I am ready for Danny to move up, and I predict he will be in the number-one spot before the end of January. You heard it here first, folks!!!
5TH – Sarah/ Oopsidacey – It was close between Sarah and Oopsidacey, who would pull into the fifth spot. I know everyone hates ties, but both of these players’ games are on the rise. Maybe this will be a challenge to both to see who can emerge ahead, but as of right now, they are both moving in the right direction. Everyone that plays cornhole has players that they think they should beat but are worried about every game they play against them. Mike and Sarah are both these types of players. If you do not bring your game, they will beat you.
We had the privilege of having Stewie come out for the first time in a while. He used to play a lot, but not so much lately. I hope he can come out more because he would be a welcome addition to the Pigeon division.
