The United States Handball Association's Junior 4-Wall Nationals

December 27th-30th, 2008-

The 2008 USHA National Juniors Four-Wall Championships come to the beautiful Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, Washington. Located only minutes away from Portland, Ore. Airport (PDX), participants and their families will enjoy quick access to the facilities. Back by popular demand!Players in all age brackets will get to compete against players of similar ability with a doubledrop- down format in singles that guarantees three matches (much like the Women's Classic format, where an open, A and B titles are awarded). If you're just starting, you can still be ready for the holiday event!

The USHA National Juniors Four-Wall Championships are sponsored through a generous contribution from Jake Plummer and the Jake Plummer Foundation.

To enter this event, go here...

Pittsburgh Handball- Junior Players Abundant

The Summer of 2008- featured a resurgence in Pittsburgh Handball. Players of all ages and levels filled the 1 wall courts every day and night. After playing everyday for months, the first 1 wall Big Blue tournament was held in October with 3 divisions, featuring over 50 players.

Top Canadian youngsters Ryan Bowler and John Audet made the trip from Toronto and Niagra Falls, respectively, to compete against the best in Pittsburgh. Although top players in their country, both young Johnny and Ryan were humbled on the blacktop, as locals Andrew Joseph and George Logan dismantled the inexperienced 1 wallers. George Logan cruised through the round robin draw undefeated, claiming the Open Title.

The Rookie division featured over 20 players from the Pittsburgh area hungry to prove themselves in their first tournament. Lenny Davis, one of the top tennis players in the city, quickly established himself with 3 dominating wins in the round robin format. Big E, Eric Milmaster, also raced to a 3-0 lead in his round robin group, defeating solid newcomers Mike Sosniak and Ben Hickman. LD and Big E put their undefeated records on the line, and LD showed his vast handball potential in defeating Bie E, and claiming the Rookie Title.

The Junior division featured doubles play with avid youngsters between the ages of 8-13. Many of these youngsters live just 50 yards from the courts, and were thrilled to take place in this monumental event. Over 15 youngsters filled the courts as word of the event spread throughout the neighborhood.

Every player was given gloves, goggles, and balls, all provided by the USHA. Next year's event promises to be even bigger. Many thanks should be given to Rodney Fink and DeDe Fink for provided endless food and hospitality. See everyone at the 2nd annual Pittsburgh Big Blue Championships next year!

by David Fink

Yes-2-Kids and WPH Congratulate: Megan Mehilos

Megan Mehilos is quickly becoming the women's premier handball pro. Winning her last two WPH pro stops, to include the 4-wall nationals and the Y2K pro stop in November. But, Megan does a lot more for the sport than just winning tournaments.

Megan is the handball coach for the York High School Handball Team in Elmhurst, IL. For four years now this handball program has introduced this sport to young boys and girls, and Megan's classes have never been more popular. The York Handball team has a constant flow of about 10-15 players and sees peaks in attendance during the fall when other sports finish-up with their regular season.

The York Handball group plays an intramural game every Thursday at the Elmherst Park District with a highly competitive handball ladder. Megan Mehilos is there to supervise and coach these kids every Thursday after school.

Mehilos is currently recruiting new players to join the squad.

Professional handball players and juniors together at the same time. This is how you can make a difference. Thank you Megan Mehilos!

-Y2K/WPH

Yes-2-Kids / WPH Tournament Results

Luis Moreno takes the 1st place trophy in the men's Pro Singles

The Beginning of an Era

by David Fink

The Yes2Kids Pro stopped marked the emergence of a great young player to a Champion. Luis Moreno proved he was capable of beating the best in the world with his sensational victory over world #1 Paul Brady at the Simple Green US Open, and he proved he was quickly ascending to the top of the world at the Y2K Pro stop by defeating 3 top 10 players.

Luis was seeded 3rd at his hometown event, and faced 6th seeded David Fink in the quarterfinal. Fink dominated Moreno is game 1, and looked poised to end the phenoms assault on the world's best. Moreno was able to turn the table on Fink with a dazzling display of ace serves and dominating power to cruise to the semifinals.

Awaiting Luis in the semifinal was #2 seeded Emmett Peixoto. The Rock neutralized the surging Jon Iglesias in the quarterfinals to set up a rematch of the 3rd place final at the Simple Green US Open won by Luis. This was the duos 3rd encounter in 6 weeks, splitting the first 2 in tiebreakers. The Rock outplayed Luis in game 1, and looked to be well on his way to avenging his first lost to the poised youngster. However, Luis worked his way into the match with blistering pass shots and phenomenal rekills. Tied at 6 in the tiebreaker, The Rock began to fade to the Moreno's onslaught. Luis hit 3 aces to grab a 9-6 lead, and used his devastating power to earn his pro stop final appearance 11-7.

American #1 Sean Lenning played the event with pnemonia, but still found himself in the semifinal after a clash with Dan The Hand Armijo in the quarterfinal. Dave Chapman defeated The Blond Blondshell, Allan Garner in the quarterfinal to advance to his first quarterfinal of his comeback. Lenning and Chapman played 2 weeks prior at the US Open with Sean handing Dave a sound beating. This was a different day as Dave Chapman was able to defeat Sean Lenning in 2 close games. The future and the past of pro handball met in the final on the same court Luis Moreno won his last 4 wall Junior National Championship. Luis displayed his trademark poise and confidence, showing no signs of nerves facing the great Dave Chapman is his first pro stop final, and the opportunity to win $5,000. Dave had no answer for the Moreno Express in game 1 as Luis rolled to a 21-5 rout. Game 2 saw much of the same as Dave Chapman was unable to consistently execute his patented precision return of serve, setting up numerous Moreno serves for easy kills. Luis blasted laser serves and flat rollouts to claim game 2 21-12, and stake his claim as one of the top players in the world.

Special thanks should be given to the Yes2Kids organization, Fred Lewis, Charlie Wicker, Vince SanAngelo, and all of the volunteers and sponsors who made this a world class event.

A Singles: Lupe Marquez El Paso TX def Oscar Olivas Tucson 21-14, 20-21,11-3

B Singles: Martin Felix Tucson def Jonathan Carillo Phoenix 21-18,15-21, 11-8

C Singles Javier Perez (age 14) Tucson del Angel Estrella (age 13)Tucson 6-21,21-20,11-5

Fred Lewis personally thanking and awarding each finalist with a bag full of goodies, to include: Owen's Gloves and special Y2K Jackets.

A Doubles John Henning/Brian Lescinskas def Art Benitez/Kevin Tallis 21-16, 21-14

50 Singles Benny Young Tucson def Sam Ortega Phoenix 18-21,21-9,11-1

50 Doubles Fred Banfield/Vern Roberts def Gurumeet Khalsa/ Dennis Healy21-8,21-13

Vern Roberts, supporting the Y2K/WPH Event, congratulated by Vince San Angelo and Charlie Wicker for his 1st place doubles win

Newcomers Division 1st Ivan Lugo 2nd Chris Palting 3rd John Miranda

Newcomers 15 and under 1st Theo Palting 2nd Stephen Larson 3rd Edyth Palting

Juniors 12 and Under 1st Carlos Espinosa 2nd Justin Del Castillo 3rd Spenser Hatcher

For the Pro Player Results, Go Here...

Fred Lewis, wearing his USHA Hall of Fame Jacket, congratulates the finalists in the pro division; Dave Chapman and Lewis Moreno

(L) The Three women's finalist: Mehilos, Christoff, Peixoto are presented with their awards at the banquet (R) Moreno and Davis stop for a quicky pose during the award presentation
































A special thanks to all of those main contributors and sponsors that allowed the juniors to play alongside the pros this weekend!

Pro Players Set to Donate to Juniors- A Letter from Dave Chapman

Dear Pro Handball Player:

The WPH is proud to announce another pro stop, in conjunction with the Long Island Open, NY. The event will be at the same facility as the Women's Classic Jan 23rd thru 25th, 2009.

Here's the info: http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/wphl/vpost?id=3122480

You can enter online at: http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=4587

I am writing you today to:

1. Ask you to attend singles and doubles

2. To support the WPH with this new pro-stop

3. To make a donation to the ICHA Youth Foundation.

Dave Vincent, the WPH, and myself, plan on making a small donation of $500-$750 to the ICHA in YOUR name, the pro player, as we feel it is imperative that the pros give back to the juniors. Many people do not realize just how much we (the pro player) want the juniors and collegiates to prosper. In some circles the average handball fan doesn't think we do enough. I would like to change that notion and inspire others to follow suit. We realize that many of you have already donated to the ICHA. Thank you for that. But, if you could give $5, $10, or $15 more that would be great. For those that have never given to this or any other youth foundation please consider a $25-$50 dollar donation.

To make it easy you can paypal the money to us at: extremehandball@cs.com or send the cash to DV at:

Dave Vincent c/o WPH

Po Box 208

Rough and Ready,

CA95975

You, along with me, will present this check to Paul Williams and the ICHA in Long Island. If you have any questions please contact myself or Dave Vincent (davecvincent@cs.com).

Thank you-

Dave Chapman

WPH Player Rep.

Pro Player Clinics and Pro Stop to Honor the Kids!!!

Attention Juniors:

Press- World of Pro Handball and the Inner City Handball Association announce a WPH Ranked Handball Tournament (4-Wall) in conjunction with the USHA Women's Classic, January 23rd, 24th, and 25th. This event is in honor of the Junior Development Fund and will feature pro players on the court with inspiring youth for a one-on-one Saturday morning clinic.

"The WPH bringing kids and pros together and promoting handball the way it should be done..." -Fred Lewis 6-Time Singles National Champion

We need your financial support! Please donate any amount to the Inner City Handball Association during this fundraising event:

Checks to:
ICHA
Po Box 30125
Brooklyn, New York
11203

On-line credit cards contributions to ICHA can also be made:
AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER
CLICK HERE
AMEX:
CLICK HERE

• ENTER ONLINE HERE.....


• ATTN JUNIOR AND COLLEGIATE PLAYERS: THE WPH WILL GIVE YOU FREE ALL ACCESS PASSES (GOLD) FOR ATTENDING THIS EVENT (EVEN IF YOU ARE THERE TO JUST WATCH).


• PLEASE SUPPLY US WITH YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS AND SEND TO: WEPLAYHANDBALL@CS.COM

WPH/Y2K Juinior Airmiles Program

Show your support for the WPH/Y2K Junior Airmiles Program

The world of Pro handball and the Yes-2-Kids Foundation is now featuring frequent flyer miles at each of the following airlines (below). Next time you book a flight with one of these airlines just type in the frequent flyer number and donate your miles to the WPH/Y2K Team. We will use these miles to get players; juniors, and to perspective handball tournaments or events.

For more info, contact us at: weplayhandball@cs.com

American Airlines AAadvantage 807FMJ2
U.S. Airways 40044087191
Alaska Airlines 101409151
United Airlines 03219365941
Delta Airlines 2649129273
Southwest Airlines 265358796
Continental Airlines HE122531

WPH Bob Symon Memorial Pro Stop- January 9-11th, 2009

Juniors and Collegiate Handballers are free!

Scot Symon, tournament director of the Bob Symon Memorial and WPH Pro Stop, has announced that all Junior and Collegiate handball players, who attend this event, will receive free lodging and accomodations. The Bob Symon Memorial, in conjunction with the WPH Pro Stop will be held at the St. Joseph YMCA in St. Joseph, Mo.

Additionally, all juniors and collegiate players that attend this event will receive FREE WPH Gold Pass Memberships.

To learn more about this event, please visit the info page from our website or email Scot Symon at: ssymon@bluechipathletic.com

JUNIORS/COLLEGIATES- You will have to pay for your entry fee, but once you are at the event, you will be taken care of!!! Enter the tournament here...

WPH/Y2K Blog is Hot!

Announcing- If you are a handball coach, junior player, mentor, or teacher of the sport, please contact us at weplayhandball@cs.com in order to post your junior/collegiate handball story. We are looking for teachers/coaches and writers that would like to highlight their program's progress on this webpage.

Thank you,

WPH