Ray Shoaf
A Mid-Summer Mat Bash held here in North Texas at the end of July was another barn burner! This folk style dual tournament is made up of the best of the best. Multiple state champs on every team. There were 25 boys teams from 7 states and they included California, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, & Texas. Two new out of state teams, Chickasha, OK and the Southwest Missouri Stingers found their way into the field of teams for the first time and they did not disappoint. They both won their pool on day 1 and landed in the gold pool on day 2. SW Missouri Stingers got 4th place and Chickasha got 5th place. Reece’s Warriors (Arlington Martin) was 3rd.
Last year’s champion, Team St. Louis once again brought a very talented team. They won their pool on day 1 and landed in the gold pool on day 2, but they were no match for Best Trained, who won the title again! In a battle of unbeatens in the last round of the gold pool, Best Trained defeated Team St. Louis 43-23.
