Paypog wrote:
4.) Harlan Rowe - Spectacular performances so far this year. This team went crazy this year and is definitely in contention for a top 3 spot if the state tournament goes well for them. I'm less inclined to believe that they can get top 2 since this is their first year of performing at such a high level
Paypog wrote:
3.) Cumberland Valley - The Harlan Rowe of Div C
This is actually a good way of putting it. Both teams have had amazing break-out years, and are definitely among the best teams in the state in their respective divisions. Both teams looked great both at invies and in their regional competitions. However, I would say that CV has a better shot of nats than Harlan Rowe (not that their nats bids are at all related) due to their performances at invitationals this season.
Both teams attend fairly easy regional tournaments (despite that, 18 golds is amazing and I give all the credit in the world to Harlan Rowe for all of their hard work this season) so regional results can't really be viewed comparatively to states.
However, (and please correct me if I'm wrong) Harlan Rowe has been beaten by both Bala and Springhouse at their invies this season (don't think they've competed against SSA yet), while the only team that CV has lost to this season was WWPS, who, quite obviously won't be at PA states.
Because of this, it seems as though Harlan Rowe defintely has some ground to make up, but it won't be impossible for them to advance if they have a great day at States. Oppositely, CV has looked strong and solid throughout their short invy season. They haven't, to my knowledge, lost to any PA teams, even beating a stacked Lower Merion, who has been a powerhouse all season. However, these invies were months ago, and obviously every team has improved since then. I just we could see either of these teams (Harlan Rowe and CV) against the other top teams in PA, so we could see how they are improving relatively to their competition.
Anyways, these are just my thoughts. Best of luck to both teams at States! Make some history!
(It's been since 2002 that a non-SEPA team made nats in div c, and since 2006 that a NE team advanced in div b, so it would pretty groundbreaking if either team did manage to make nats. Numbers aside, it would be pretty cool to see a new team advance in both divisions.)