The Championship 2012 is here!! It features the last remaining pair of teams that have never played each other in any capacity. It is being called the "Arranged Marriage". And these two squads could not be more different.
-Philosophy-
The Empire have always been the big flashy 'Win Now' team of the league. Every game followed to determine whether the league feels good or bad depending on the outcome. The big names, the big contracts, the revolutionary wheeling and dealing of owner Chris Ramos and the Empire put this team in the spot light more often than not. Even when they do poorly like last years 1-9 season, it receives plenty of media attention. But there's a reason for it, they win big games. They get it done, 6 division titles in 8 seasons, 3 #1 Rank seasons and a Championship trophy.
St. Catherine's School was founded in the 1960's in a suburb of New Orleans. Along with that, a youth dodgeball team was started. It became a magnet for youth talent through the decades as a farm for Harts University, Texas Institute and Florida University. With the launch of the DBL in 2003, the school had all the facilities and community enthusiasm for a professional team. in 2007-1 they were awarded a team of the same name, commonly shortened to 'St. Cat's' or the 'Cats'. Coach Carlisle of the youth program was called up to coach grown men after 20 years coaching boys. This is what many claim is the reason for this teams success. Coach is used to building character over winning games. This can sometimes look very bad when stars are passed over for team players, but the trademark 'slowness' of the Cat's has had them creeping closer and closer to a title, and this year could be the fruits of 5 years of labor.
-Personnel-
The Empire are a franken team to put it frankly. A brief effort was put in to build talent from the ground up, but after a 1-9 season, it was time to import some new faces. And where to get the best battle tested veterans? The South! They traded away the fading Williame, ho-hum Garcia, and cut Hansen to get the legend Aleksandr, Parker, and Bosley. The South has appeared in the last 6 title matches, so why not get on that wagon? The patch worked team really showed its non-compatibility going on fits of wins and losses all season and barely getting the division nod. They registered the lowest chemistry rating in the league (28.7%). But through the playoffs, they have been titled the 'Chemistry Department', finally getting in gear with near perfect efficiency and spread. Aleksandr, who has been all the Empire have used all season, has faded in the playoffs, but expect to see him in full force in his domain, the Championship.
St. Cat's, on the other hand has only true breed Cat's. the only xeno player is Joseph, who came in after a horrid rookie year stint in OKC. But by now, all the players have gelled as Cat's. The Cat's turned heads as they were the only team in the league to not move a single piece after a crushing championship loss last season. In their eyes, they were the best team outside of the unworldly 2011 Interceptors, so why change? Although it seemed murky at times, especially after a loss to the Toros in week 9, the Cat's have proven they are the class of the league. They handled the #1 Gold after being in a 0-1 hole. They then unleashed the meanest smackdown in recent memory on the #2 Skylarks in the Conference round. The biggest change this season, is that they win games they shouldn't. But, they are heavy favorites to win the Championship, so lets see if they can harken back to their past and win an expected game.
-Stage-
Empire Gym is the highest pressure arena to play in hands down. Situated in the heart of the densest Brooklyn streets, with the new configuration done this season, they have just the same amount of 'on top of you' seats, while increasing fan population and more box suites. This place has some of the craziest die-hard fans in the NYC dodgeball subculture, and it has seen pretty classic matches. It is the only place in the DBL where a fan can physically affect your play (although this is banned). And it will be the site of Game 1 and maybe a great Game 5.
St. Catherine's Gym is laid out in a pastoral landscape of school buildings in a relatively calm suburb of Louisiana. The seats are just as laid back away from the court, giving the players space to think. At times it can get rowdy, but it surely isn't a consistent environment. Even the stained glass windows relax the place just a tad. But with the entire nation eyeing this matchup, don't expect to fall asleep in these stands.
-Matchup-
Although Jared has always been the poster boy for the Cat's, expect a lot of responsibility to land on Ausonio. He has had a stellar playoffs thus far and why not keep feeding the beast? Along with Ausonio, expect Joseph to really show his true talent. Jared will be Jared and the Empire will know that, so don't expect the world from him. The Empire will try to keep the Chemistry Department open, but expect Aleksandr to be the one to get them out of jams. Aleksandr and Parker have strong experience in Championships, both won, so don't expect the Empire to be too rattled, especially in Game 1 at home. And their southern experience will not rattle them too much in Louisiana either.
I expect a 3-1 Cat's victory.
Catch Game 1 on ZBS @ 19:30ET!
