Gorge Region Round 1 Recap
The first round play in the Gorge region was dominated by blowouts, though two games were as close as possible. Let’s recap each game, starting with the most exciting.
#9 Vegas 98 27 #8 Hartford 97 26
The eight-nine match-up came through with drama once again, as Vegas 98 edged Hartford 97 by only one vote. This one was neck and neck the whole way through, as neither squad created any real separation throughout the game. The teams exchanged buckets down the stretch and the score was tied as the clock moved under five seconds. Vegas called a timeout and set up a final play. On the inbounds, they executed a perfect back pick off the ball, the Hartford defense did’t rotate, and Vegas hit an open layup as time expired! This game illustrated what Tweezer Madness is all about!
#6 Alpine 15 26 #11 Charlotte 95 26 tie
In a battle between two wildly different versions, Charlotte jumped out to a big lead, but Alpine chipped away and chipped away, tieing the game several times but never getting over the hump. And in the final minute of play, they hit a three pointer to tie the game yet again. Charlotte was set up to win, but their attempt at the buzzer wedged in between the rim and the backboard as time expired. This brought the tournament its first tie, and following the Tweezer Madness bylaws, ties are broken by the seeding committee. The committee issued this statement:
Though we love both versions, and Charlotte has the clear edge in length, we find Alpine to be a perfect Phish jam. This Tweezer jam has no extraneous notes, features laser-like focus between band members and a criminally smooth, one-minded flow. For these reasons, Alpine will be advancing.
#5 Providence 98 37 #12 MSG 17 19
This modern-day MSG version, though two-pronged and with a blissful peak just couldn’t keep up with the much-loved, late-90s grooves of the Island Run. This one was never competitive.
#4 Magnaball 42 #13 Finger Lakes 95 13
The centerpiece jam of the Magnaball weekend annihilated the super-long Fleezer of legend, lending the 3.0 era some more street cred in a tourney pitting era against era. Of the four standout Summer ’15 versions, three have now advanced to the round of 32.
#10 Lake Placid 95 28 #7 Barcelona 98 17
The final Tweezer of the band’s famed Fall 95 tour drubbed the bass-led version of Barcelona 98 in the region’s most significant upset. Barcelona, not as well known as the potentially under-seeded Lake Placid version, had a steep hill to climb in this contest, but it was thought that its delectable dance club grooves could make a run for the money. But it wasn’t to be as the guitar and piano led psychedelia of Lake Placid dominated the game from the tip.
#3 Great Went 38 #14 Dick’s 11 18
The Great Went smothered Dick’s 11 with it’s raw Summer 97 funk stylings, moving out to an early lead and expanding it throughout the match-up. Colorado’s early 3.0 highlight couldn’t generate consistent offense against Limestone’s stone cold classic, as it was plagued by turnovers and poor decision making from the jump. The Went advanced easily and could make some legitimate noise in this tournament before all is said and done.
#2 Lake Tahoe 13 44 #15 Randall’s 14 13
Fan favorite, Lake Tahoe, put the beat down on Randall Island’s version in a battle of 3.0 standouts. Randall’s never truly stood a chance against Tahoe’s 30-plus minute journey who many have pegged for a final four appearance.
#1 Alpine 98 51 #16 Eureka 92 7
Once again, the number one seed rolled as Alpine 98 dominated Eureka 92 from the outset, shutting out the 16th seed for the first 15 minutes of the game. Eureka 92, though ahead of its time and deserving of a spot in the tournament, wasn’t thought to truly compete. The pundits were right, and the oldest version in the field will head back to the redwoods, but has nothing to hang its head about.
Thanks to everyone who listened and voted in the Gorge Region! The Hampton region’s first round will run for 72 hours from the time of this posting. Enjoy the next eight matchups and continue to enjoy your time in the freezer!
