The response was so good that the number of entries had to be capped, and shortened matches used for the rounds of 32 & 16 in order for play to be completed in the time allotted by the facility.  Cesar Sala held off youngster Tyree Bastidas 25-18 to win this year's HES Singles final. 

 

Read More for compete story and for Artie Fuchs' 35+ Invitational Doubles Write-up.

 

Whether the cause was the shorter matches, their recent trip to play frontball in Anglet France or lack of court time the results were often the same. The veterans simply weren't sharp and the kids came ready to play. Several of the seasons players wound up being sent home licking their wounds.

 

In the first semifinal match the score was tied at 13 all before Polanco ran to 19-13. Sala made his own run and knotted the score at 19 all. Then the points started coming slower until the score was 24 all. Spectators were kept on the edge of their seats as Cesar and William got up a few times before Polanco failed to return one of Cesar serves and end the match at 25-24.

 

In the other semifinal Tyree held a rusty Rookie to just 12 points. Wright tried hard but couldn't even convince himself that he was in the game.

 

In the final it looked like Sala had a surprisingly easy time amassing a 15-3 lead. Tyree crept back to 15-18 before serving off the court. Cesar went to 20 before Bastidas was able to get back into the service box and make 3 more points. At this point "wonder boy" served into the floor. Sala was able to capitalize and score 5 more leaving Tyree on 18.

 

See Men's Pro draw HERE (pdf).

 

35-Plus Invitational Finalists

35 PLUS INVITATIONAL DOUBLES

by Artie Fuchs

 

The final pitted Reggie Langston and Jason Morgan against Andy Rousseau and Felix Zilberbrand. Jason and Reggie opened up a commanding 17-5 lead. Jason's drives and killshots combined with Reggie's steadiness proved to be too much for their opponents as they prevailed 25-10. The last time Reggie participated in a small ball tournament was the 1989 YMCA 1-wall Championships in Elizabeth NJ.

 

Thanks to the Hebrew Educational Society for treating the handball players so well. The H.E.S. serves as the official back-up site for the USHA National One-Wall Championships. 

 

See 35-Plus Doubles draw HERE (pdf).