HP2G: The Legend Grows...

Thanks to our many spectators, fans, and players, Heaven's Playground Shootout, the 2000 version, was a complete success. All proceeds from HP2G were proudly donated to the Tomorrows Children’s Fund, who received a grand total of $1640.00. This year’s tournament featured a total of 48 players, clamoring for the honorable and coveted Heaven’s Playground Champion trophies. Even more incredible was the growth of our spectators, with over 125 heads in the HP crowd, coming from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland. One of our fresh faces was Jake Waite, from Mendham, NJ, who proudly accepted the tournament MVP trophy.

There were many highlights throughout the tournament, or, as in the Bassethound's case, lowlights. Koehnlein lived up to his profile (see strengths) after he and his team were shutout by Kevin Shannon's squad. The "Goat", otherwise known as Skurka, saw the 2^nd round for the first time in his Heaven’s Playground career after being knocked out early in the original HP by Greg Walsh. Speaking of Walsh, the upset of the century occurred at HP2G when his team failed to hold on to a 8-4 lead and a 10-5 lead playing against Jake Waite, Tim Gardner, and Katie Johnsen. Waite led his team to a comeback to capture an 11-10 victory and went on to win the tourney.

Meanwhile, Mikey Paris was doing his best Larry Bird impression by shooting the lights out with the help of Demetrios Frangias’ bone crunching screens. Mike Cherello's team, who would go on to reach the finals destroyed the early competition. One of the players who challenged Waite for MVP despite losing was John Alexander. The 6'4'' 220 pound Zoat Boat was a terror underneath the boards. The ziggity got all the scoring and dirty work done, while mixing it on the ones and twos for your listening pleasure.

It seems the 1999 MVP Tim McArdle may have lost a step or two. Despite the bulging, head-crushing biceps of “The Rock,” the returning champion team, made up of McArdle, Jon Dibble, and J.J. Strong, just could not find their game. It may be time to break up the dynasty. A much feared team before the tournament began was Mike Blades, Steve Arpeia, and Kevin Dunphy. However, they shocked the HP community with an early exit from the competition.

In a much anticipated first round match-up between Team Delbarton and Team Morristown, Mo’town natives Kian Messkoub, Matt Del Giudice, and Dave Molinaro proved the Green Wave was nothing more than a ripple as Delbarton lost in front of a SHP domintated crowd once again (Somethings don't change, right RJ???...no wonder why you didn't show up!). In the good sportsmanship of HP, Iach lived up to his famous saying, "I'd rather lose pretty, than win ugly." You looked good Iach.

The tournament proved to be a resounding success with many exciting games (well except for Koehnlein's game of course). In spite of the enormous success of HP2G, expectations for HP 2001 are rising with the tournament size growing and the "bring your own team" aspect. Please read “Tournament News” for more information. We are expecting games from round one to the final to be all out battles. It is that time again...HEAVEN'S PLAYGROUND MADNESS IS UPON US!!!