March 28
Potomac Squash Club Sweeps the League Final
Report by Hunt Richardson

On Wednesday night, March 28, the international team from the Potomac Squash Club in Rockville defeated a well prepared team from the new Sports CLub/LA for the Winter NCSRA 'A' League Championship. Potomac has established itself as the team to beat, as this was their second consecutive NCSRA 'A' League Title.

The number one match got off to a good start for SC/LA's pro Hunt Richardson, who was on red alert for all the power nicks and tricks that Peshawar star Shahid Khan would throw at him. Richardson ran up a 7-0 lead before Khan shook off the fever that was bothering him and caught up to 5-7. However, the two-point buffer gave Richardson enough space to close out the game 9-7.

In the second game, Khan's eyes got big and fierce. He glowered and began slashing shots into the nick from all parts of the court. The barrage overwhelmed Richardson and the second game ended quickly, 9-1, Potomac. The players found their rhythm in the third and fourth games, with Khan's fast, low drives and Richardson's counter punches producing long rallies that tired both players. Some traffic jams resulted in Richardson's racquet connecting with various parts of Khan's body several times. In the end, Khan's offense and pressure were too much and he prevailed, 9-6, 9-4.

At number two for Potomac, Rajeev Gupta proved that he is the most improved player in the league. Gupta has paid his dues, travelling as far afield as the Windy City Tournament in Chicago and the U.S. Nationals in Seattle, where he reached the quarterfinals in the 5.0 draw. He is undefeated in 15 League matches over the last two seasons. Gupta met a very fit Jeremy Feinstein, who has been training for a marathon in April. Feinstein was able to keep the ball moving long enough to tire Gupta. Having played varsity squash for Yale only a few years ago, Feinstein is no stranger to competiton, but Gupta is gutsy: he called no set in the second game and won it despite a game ball against him. His tournament toughness and preparation were especially apparent in the fourth game, in which Feinstein's concentration evaporated. 3-1 Gupta.

Dan Camp may be the toughest number three player in the country. The Uruguayan soccer buff used to play at number one for Potomac until last year, when injuries and the appearance of Shahid Khan knocked him down the ladder. Ron del Sesto (SC/LA) had difficulty seeing where the ball was headed off Camp's wide, arcing swing. Del Sesto scraped and countered, earning a respectable 7 points in each of the first two games. He tired Camp and took the third, 9-2, with a few of his patented forehand drops. But Camp's deception and power, coupled with a nearly inhuman ability to hit winners at a full stretch, were too rough for del Sesto, who still managed to get 7 points in the fourth. 3-1 Camp.

The number four match turned out to be a disappointment for both team players. Ross Campbell, a 15 year veteran in the NCSRA Leagues, who returned to form last year after a long layoff from competition, slugged a 10-8, 9-5 two game lead over Scott Driscoll. They battled to 4 all in the third before Driscoll succumbed to a bad muscle pull in his leg. 3-0 to Potomac, and Championship as well!

Potomac Squash Club 4, Sports Club/LA 0 (at Potomac Squash Club)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-1 (7-9, 9-1, 9-6, 9-4
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Jeremy Feinstein (SCL), 3-1 (9-6, 9-8, 5-9, 9-2)
- #3, Dan Camp (PSC) def. Ron del Sesto (SCL), 3-1 (9-7, 9-7, 2-9, 9-7)
- #4, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Scott Driscoll (SCL), 3-0 (10-8, 9-5, 4-4, withdrew-injury)

March 21

Potomac Squash Club claimed a spot in the finals with a 3-1 win over Worldgate. The other semi-final, with The Potomac School visiting Sports Club/LA, was a virtual replay of last week's regular season finale. The only real difference was a mutual default in the #4 slot. Next week, Sports Club/LA will travel to Potomac Squash Club to play for all the marbles.

Sports Club/LA 2, The Potomac School 1 (at The Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-0
- #2, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-0
- #3, Ron del Sesto (SCL) def. Bob Montgomery (TPS), 3-0
- #4, mutual default

Potomac Squash Club 3, Worldgate 1 (at Potomac Squash Club)
- #1, John Shields (WG) vs. Shahid Khan (PSC), 3-0 (9-7, 9-4, 9-0)
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-0 (9-3, 9-4, 10-8)
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Toufic Tabara (WG), 3-0 (9-4, 9-3, 9-2)
- #4, Vikram Chandra (PSC) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-1 (7-9, 10-8, 9-4, 9-5)

March 14

The regular season ended with The Sports Club/LA taking three out of four matches from The Potomac School to secure 2nd place. The one win by Potomac School, Mark Allen at #1, was enough to eliminate any possibility of Worldgate overtaking TPS for 3rd place.

The Sports Club/LA 3, Potomac School 1 (at Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-0 (10-8, 9-1, 9-5)
- #2, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-0 (9-3, 9-4, 9-2)
- #3, Ron del Sesto (SCL) def. Scott Hackman (TPS), 3-0 (9-6, 9-8, 9-5)
- #4, Richard Scott (SCL) def. Bob Montgomery (TPS), 3-0 (9-4, 9-6, 9-3)

Potomac Squash Club 2, University Club 1 (at Potomac Squash Club)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) vs. Terry Hinderman (UNI), postponed
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Chip Lindquist (UNI), 3-2
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-1
- #4, Chuck Miller (UNI) def. Vikram Chandra (PSC), 3-2

Arlington/Regency 2, Worldgate 2 (at Worldgate)
- #1, John Shields (WG) def. Pascal Leinard (ARG), 3-2
- #2, Steve Hufford (ARG) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-2
- #3, Josh Wolman (ARG) def. Toufic Tabara (WG), 3-0
- #4, Anjum Qazi (WG) def. Jesse Abraham (ARG), 3-0

March 7

On the strength of a 3-1 win at The Potomac School, the Potomac Squash Club wrapped up a first place finish in the regular season and home-court advantage for the playoffs. They will probably host Worldgate when the playoffs open on March 21st. (For the University Club to push Worldgate out of 4th place, they would have to get a 2-2 split next week at PSC, and watch Worldgate lose all their remaining matches at home against Arlington/Regency and PSC.) The Sports Club/LA and The Potomac School have cornered the other two playoff slots, although the order of their finish is still up in the air. Sports Club/LA (26-17) is currently in second, just ahead of The Potomac School (26-18), but the two teams end the regular season against each other next week, at TPS. They will meet again the following week in the playoffs.

Potomac Squash Club 3, The Potomac School 1 (at The Potomac School)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-0
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Scott Hackman (TPS), 3-1
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Bob Montgomery (TPS), 3-0
- #4, Nick Adams (TPS) won by default

Arlington/Regency 4, Washington Sports 0 (at Regency)
- #1, Pascal Leinard (ARG) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-2
- #2, Steve Hufford (ARG) def. James John (WSC), 3-0
- #3, Josh Wolman (ARG) def. Ish Aslam (WSC), 3-0
- #4, (ARG) won by default

The Sports Club/LA 3, University Club 1 (at The Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Hunt Richardson (SCL) def. Terry Hinderman (UNI), 3-2
- #2, Chip Lindquist (UNI) def. Ron del Sesto (SCL), 3-0
- #3, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. Saf Yeboah (UNI), 3-0
- #4, Richard Scott (SCL) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-1

Standings through Feb. 28th

February 28

Two of the PSC-Worldgate matches were postponed due to a power failure at Worldgate. (That is, a failure of electrical power, not squash poweer.) A new date for the missing matches has not been set.

Worldgate 1, Potomac Squash Club 1 (at Worldgate)
- #1, John Shields (WG) def. Shahid Khan (PSC), 3-2
- #2, (PSC) won by default
- #3, (WG) won by default
- #4, Vikram Chandra (PSC) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-1

Sports Club/LA 3, Washington Sports 1 (at The Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Willie Gaynor (WSC) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-2
- #2, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Alan Vaton (WSC), 3-0
- #3, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. Ish Aslam (WSC), 3-0
- #4, Richard Scott (SCL) def. Carole Grunberg (WSC), 3-0

University Club 3, Arlington/Regency 1 (at University Club)
- #1, Chip Lindquist (UNI) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-0
- #2, Terry Hinderman (UNI) def. Bryce Harding (ARG), 3-1
- #3, David Conroy (UNI) def. Josh Wolman (ARG), 3-2
- #4, Jesse Abraham (ARG) def. Chuck Miller (UNI), 3-1

February 21

Potomac Squash Club 3, Washington Sports 1 (at WSC)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-2
- #2, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. James John (WSC), 3-2
- #3, Dan Camp (PSC) def. Alan Vaton (WSC), 3-1
- #4, Alejandro Ganoza (PSC) def. Tracy Barnes (WSC), 3-1

Worldgate 4, Sports Club/LA 0 (at Worldgate)
- #1, Tim Sheridan (WG) def. Ron del Sesto (SCL), 3-0
- #2, John Shields (WG) def. Jeremy Feinstein (SCL), 3-1
- #3, Toufic Tabara (WG) def. Scott Driscoll (SCL), 3-1
- #4, Anjum Qazi (WG) won by default

Potomac School 3, Arlington/Regency 1 (at The Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-0
- #2, Pascal Leinard (ARG) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-2
- #3, Scott Hackman (TPS) won by default
- #4, Bob Montgomery (TPS) def. Rainard Lohner (ARG), 3-1

February 7

Sports Club/LA 3, Arlington/Regency 1 (at Regency)
- #1, Hunt Richardson (SCL) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-1
- #2, Ron del Sesto (SCL) def. Josh Wolman (ARG), 3-1
- #3, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. Phil Ayliff (ARG), 3-1
- #4, Jesse Abraham (ARG) def. Kevin Haggerty (SCL), 3-0

Washington Sports 2, University Club 2 (at Washington Sports)
- #1, Chip Lindquist (UNI) def. James John (WSC), 3-1
- #2, Terry Hinderman (UNI) def. Alan Vaton (WSC), 3-2
- #3, Ish Aslam (WSC) def. Ghirma Meres (UNI), 3-0
- #4, Tracy Barnes (WSC) def. Dan Nichols (UNI), 3-0

Potomac School 3, Worldgate 1 (at The Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. John Shields (WG), 3-0
- #2, Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-0
- #3, Scott Hackman (TPS) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-0
- #4, Toufic Tabara (WG) def. Bob Montgomery (TPS), 3-0

January 31

Potomac Squash Club 4, Arlington/Regency 0 (at Potomac Squash Club)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-0
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Phil Ayliff (ARG), 3-0
- #3, Dan Camp (PSC) def. Kenny Mendez (ARG), 3-0
- #4, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Rainard Lohner (ARG), 3-0

University Club 3, Worldgate 1 (at University Club)
- #1, Terry Hinderman (UNI) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-2
- #2, John Shields (WG) def. David Mason (UNI), 3-0
- #3, Chuck Miller (UNI) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-0
- #4, Saf Yeboah (UNI) def. Jim Armstrong (WG), 3-1

Washington Sports 3, Potomac School 1 (at The Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-0
- #2, James John (WSC) won by default
- #3, Alan Vaton (WSC) won by default
- #4, Ish Aslam (WSC) won by default

January 24

Potomac Squash Club 3, Sports Club/LA 1 (at The Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-0
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Jeremy Feinstein (SCL), 3-0
- #3, Dan Camp (PSC) def. Ron del Sesto (SCL), 3-0, on Jan. 26th
- #4, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. Ross Campbell (PSC), 3-2 (10-9 in the 5th game)

Potomac School 4, University Club 0 (at The Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Chip Lindquist (UNI), 3-0
- #2, Scott Hackman (TPS) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-1
- #3, Bob Montgomery (TPS) won by default
- #4, Nick Adams (TPS) won by default

Washington Sports 2, Worldgate 2 (at Worldgate)
- #1, Tim Sheridan (WG) won by default
- #2, John Shields (WG) def. Alan Vaton (WSC), 3-0
- #3, James John (WSC) def. Toufic Tabara (WG), 3-0
- #4, Ish Aslam (WSC) def. Jim Armstrong (WG), 3-0

January 17

Sports Club/LA 3, Potomac School 1 (at The Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-0
- #2, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Kevin Pillion (TPS), 3-0 (withdrew with injury after two games)
- #3, Ron del Sesto (SCL) def. Scott Hackman (TPS), 3-0
- #4, Scott Driscoll (SCL) won by default

Worldgate 4, Arlington/Regency 0 (at Arlington/Regency)
- #1, Tim Sheridan (WG) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-1
- #2, John Shields (WG) def. Jesse Abraham (ARG), 3-0
- #3, Toufic Tabara (WG) def. Kenny Mendez (ARG), 3-0
- #4, Jim Armstrong (WG) def. Rainard Lohner (ARG), 3-0

Potomac Squash Club 3, University Club 1 (at University Club)
- #1, Terry Hinderman (UNI) def. Shahid Khan (PSC), 3-2
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Chip Lindquist (UNI), 3-1
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-0
- #4, Dan Camp (PSC) won by default

January 10

Arlington/Regency 2, Washington Sports 0 (at Washington Sports)
- #1, Steve Hufford (ARG) def. James John (WSC), 3-0 (9-5, 9-4, 9-7)
- #2, Alan Vaton (WSC) def. Josh Wolman (ARG), 3-1 (9-4, 5-9, 9-2, 9-1)
- #3, Ish Aslam (WSC) def. Jesse Abraham (ARG), 3-2 (7-9, 4-9, 10-8, 10-9, 9-2)
- #4, Phil Ayliff (ARG) def. Daniel Blanc (WSC), 3-1 (8-10, 9-5, 9-6, 10-8)

Potomac Squash Club 3, The Potomac School 1 (at Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Shahid Khan (PSC), 3-0
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Kevin Pillion (TPS), 3-2
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-0
- #4, Dan Camp (PSC) def. Bob Montgomery (TPS), 3-0

The Sports Club/LA 3, University Club 1 (at University Club)
- #1, Hunt Richardson (SCL) def. Terry Hinderman (UNI), 3-2
- #2, Chip Lindquist (UNI) def. Ron del Sesto (SCL), 3-0
- #3, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Chuck Miller (UNI), 3-0
- #4, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-2

December 20

Arlington/Regency 3, University Club 1 (at Arlington/Regency)
- #1, Steve Hufford (ARG) def. Terry Hinderman (UNI), 3-1
- #2, Chip Lindquist (UNI) def. Josh Wolman (ARG), 3-2
- #3, Jesse Abraham (ARG) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-2
- #4, Dave Moss (ARG) def. Chuck Miller (UNI), 3-1

Potomac Squash Club 4, Worldgate 0 (at Potomac Squash Club)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Toufic Tabara (WG), 3-0
- #2, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-1
- #3, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Jim Armstrong (WG), 3-0
- #4, Vikram Chandra (PSC) won by default

The Sports Club/LA 4, Washington Sports 0 (at Washington Sports)
- #1, Hunt Richardson (SCL) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-0 (9-5, 9-3, 9-6)
- #2, Ron del Sesto (SCL) def. James John (WSC), 3-0 (9-5, 10-8, 9-4)
- #3, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) won by default
- #4, Elliot Lum (SCL) def. Tracy Barnes (WSC), 3-0 (9-2, 9-1, 9-7)

December 13

Potomac School 4, Arlington/Regency 0 (at Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Phil Ayliff (ARG), 3-0
- #2, Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS) def. Josh Wolman (ARG), 3-2
- #3, Scott Hackman (TPS) def. Jesse Abraham (ARG), 3-0
- #4, Bob Montgomery (TPS) def. Kenny Mendez (ARG), 3-0

Potomac 4, Washington Sports 0 (at Potomac Squash Club)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-0
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. James John (WSC), 3-0
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Ish Aslam (WSC), 3-0
- #4, Vikram Chandra (PSC) def. Tracy Barnes (WSC), 3-1

Worldgate 2, The Sports Club/LA 1 (at The Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Hunt Richardson (SCL) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-0
- #2, Toufic Tabara (WG) def. Kevin Haggerty (SCL), 3-0
- #3, Jim Armstrong (WG) won by default
- #4, mutual default

December 6

University Club 3, Washington Sports 1 (at University Club)
- #1, Chip Lindquist (UNI) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-1
- #2, David Conroy (UNI) def. James John (WSC), 3-0
- #3, Alan Vaton (WSC) def. Chuck Miller (UNI), 3-0
- #4, Dan Nichols (UNI) def. Ish Aslam (WSC), 3-2

Potomac School 2, Worldgate 2 (at Potomac School)
- #1, Tim Sheridan (WG) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-1
- #2, Scott Hackman (TPS) def. Jim Armstrong (WG), 3-0
- #3, Bob Montgomery (TPS) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-0
- #4, David Canner (WG) def. Nick Adams (TPS), 3-1

Sports Club/LA 3, Arlington/Regency 1 (at Sports Club/LA)
- #1, Hunt Richardson (SCL) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-0
- #2, Pascal Leinard (ARG) def. Ron del Sesto (SCL), 3-1
- #3, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Josh Wolman (ARG), 3-0
- #4, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. Kenny Mendez (ARG), 3-0

November 29

Potomac School 3, Washington Sports 1 (at Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Willie Gaynor (WSC), 3-0
- #2, James John (WSC) def. Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS), 3-1
- #3, Scott Hackman (TPS) def. Ish Aslam (WSC), 3-0
- #4, Bob Montgomery (TPS) def. Tracy Barnes (WSC), 3-1

University Club 2, Worldgate 2 (at Worldgate)
- #1, Terry Hinderman (UNI) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-1
- #2, John Shields (WG) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-0
- #3, Chuck Miller (UNI) def. Toufic Tabara (WG), 3-1
- #4, Anjum Qazi (WG) def. Simon Sidamon-Eristoff (UNI), 3-2

Potomac 3, Arlington/Regency 1 (at Regency)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Steve Hufford (ARG), 3-2
- #2, Rajeev Gupta (PSC) def. Pascal Leinard (ARG), 3-0
- #3, Ross Campbell (PSC) def. Phil Ayliff (ARG), 3-2
- #4, Josh Wolman (ARG) def. Vikram Chandra (PSC), 3-2

November 15

Potomac School 3, University Club 1 (at Potomac School)
- #1, Mark Allen (TPS) def. Terry Hinderman (UNI), 3-0
- #2, Gifford Sommerkamp (TPS) def. David Conroy (UNI), 3-2
- #3, Chuck Miller (UNI) def. Scott Hackman (TPS), 3-2
- #4, Bob Montgomery (TPS) def. Simon Sidamon-Eristoff (UNI), 3-1

Washington Sports 3, Worldgate 1 (at Washington Sports)
- #1, Willie Gaynor (WSC) def. Tim Sheridan (WG), 3-1
- #2, John Shields (WG) def. James John (WSC), 3-2
- #3, Ish Aslam (WSC) def. Anjum Qazi (WG), 3-0
- #4, Tracy Barnes (WSC) def. Dirk Corsus (WG), 3-0

Sports Club/LA 2, Potomac 2 (at Potomac)
- #1, Shahid Khan (PSC) def. Hunt Richardson (SCL), 3-1
- #2, Ross Campbell (PSC) won by default
- #3, Jeremy Feinstein (SCL) def. Vikram Chandra (PSC), 3-0
- #4, Scott Driscoll (SCL) def. Sumant Hattikudur (PSC), 3-0

Copyright 2000 National Capital Squash Racquets Association