Statesville, NC Regionals Report
by Mike Mattingly

I played Magmortar/Blaziken
I questioned this play (as I always do) the morning of the tournament.
This time however it wasn't due to the voices in my head it was because
there were a ton of water decks.

Round 1. Vs Alex from Tennessee Gyrados/Octillery
He played Jolteon * turn 2 and hit my tauros for 40 +10. Early on I
sniped his octillery's until I had a loaded Magmortar to take out the
Gyrados. He made a last minute attempt and failed the coin throw.
1-0

Round 2. Vs from Georgia Straight Blissey
I was worried because I knew he was a great player and I had not been
testing against Blissey. I actually had to snipe 2 claydols and a baltoy
to keep ahead of the Blisseys. Another great game!
2-0

Round 3. Paarth from Florida Ryhperior/Absol/dialga
Can I not get something I tested against? Early on he played a wager and
lost. It really left him with nothing he did get off a Ryhperior but I
just used fireball bazooka spreading the damage for the eventual win. He
never really got set up.
3-0

Round 4. Klye Sablehaus from Florida Plox
I was caught off guard by Plox I had tested against GG with Dusknoir but
never against the constant Psychic Lock. I had a weak start but kept the
game close. We were tied on prizes when he played bring down stating it
was on my claydol. We called over a judge he had a baltoy on the bench
with less hp. The judge ruled unless I was willing to let him take it
back the baltoy would be knocked out. We were tied on prizes and I did
not want to win on a huge misplay so I let him re play. The game
remained close until on the last turn at time he used hard feelings and
took his last prize.
I really enjoyed this game and I appreciated the opportunity to play Kyle.
He went on to be the #1 seed going into top cut. Congratulations!
3-1

Round 5. Ryan from ? Gardy/Gallade/Empoleon
He showed G/G but revealed the piplup early so I figured it was a 1-0-1
tech line. This was my least competitive game I lost by 2 prizes and
never really had a chance. He was playing a full 2-1-2-1 empoleon line.
Empoleon x's power really hurt 2 times.
3-2

Round 6. Ryan Sablehaus from Florida Plox
I see a Ralts and think he must be playing the same thing as his brother
(rnd4) I cannot say if the lists were the same but he played it like
Plox. This was a really close game and at time I was 1 prize down. I had
a full turn and hoped for a scramble. I held stevens and had 2 claydols.
Cosmic power for 3 then 2 then Stevens for 5 more. I got the scramble
and debate sniping his clayol or the Duskull. I choose Claydol. He warps
attached DRE and places 9 damage counters on my Claydol for the win.
Great Game.
3-3

Round 7. Michael Farrington from NC Magmortar/Typhlosion
I decided to play it out ....many of my opponents were doing really well
and I did not want to screw up their EDIT: OP Win%. Mike and I volunteered
at worlds last year so I was happy to have a fun game with an
interesting player.
I got the early lead and pressed a little to hard then ran out of steam.
I sluffed off several pokemon in an attempt to play scramble. I was able
to go behind at the last minute and knock out 2 pokemon in a turn. I
really enjoyed chatting with Mike. Congratulations go out to his son for
winning Seniors. We look forward to seeing you at Nats.
4-3
I ended up 17th I had the highest OP Win% of all 4-3 players.
I had a great day and enjoyed the Southern Hospitality.

Props
Tara Mattingly (Wife and Head Judge Juniors)
All of my Opponents
Judges and TO's this was the smoothest Regionals we have ever attended.
Statesville civic center
The Reynolds
Jacob and "the Nuge"
John Silvestro cracking me up.

Slops
bed at Baymont Inn
Eating way to much at the waffle house.