The Joe Hunter Drill couldn’t have been more perfect. Perfect weather conditions provided optimal conditions for the top 15 teams facing off at this exhibition drill. Optimal conditions ultimately led to optimum times. So much so, that had this been a sanctioned drill, we would have heard “General Judges” three times…but that’s the prestige and magic of the Joe Hunter Drill.
All teams seemed to be primed, focused and in mid-season form. All the times in 3-Man Ladder were sub-7’s with Central Islip leading the way with a 6.28 while B & C-Ladder were dominated by West Sayville.
The top 5 going into hoses were:
West Sayville: 13
Central Islip: 9
Westbury: 6
West Hempstead: 5
Hempstead: 5
The water was tested and timed at a 4.60, which pleased all teams. West Sayville again stole the show with a new course record of 11.86 in C-Hose. With many teams vying for a state record type of run, there were a few misses on the hydrant, mostly due to deep drops. The top 5 for the contest were West Sayville (11.86), West Hempstead (12.17), East Islip (12.45), Copiague (12.56) and South Hempstead (12.71. B-Hose was again led by West Sayville who now had a comfortable lead with only three events to go.
The standings to this point were:
West Sayville 23
Central Islip: 13
West Hempstead: 9
Hempstead: 8
Westbury: 6
Copiague: 6
Efficiency really showed the greatness of the Hempstead track and the dominance of the current teams. Another course record was set by Central Islip with an 8.37. The rest of the top 5 all had sub-9 runs with fantastic target hits and an average 3.05 stick time. The water was bolt
ing through the hose, making these great teams look even greater.
In Motor Pump there were solid runs by Central Islip, West Hempstead, Copiague, Bay Shore and Islip. Sometimes the great runs are followed with great disappointment…West Sayville did not place Efficiency or Motor Pump and quickly lost their 10-point lead and now were tied (AGAIN) going into Buckets.
The pressure was quickly placed on the shoulders of the Dutchmen when the State Champion Hoboes put up a 20.93. With that time looming over the Dutchmen’s heads, a slip on the ladder sealed their fate. Just like that, a 10-point lead turned into a 5-point deficit as the Hoboes once again took a tournament that was down to buckets.
The final results were as follows:
1st Place – Central Islip - 28 Pts.
2nd Place – West Sayville - 23 Pts.
3rd Place - West Hempstead - 17 Pts.
4th Place – Hempstead - 14 Pts.
5th Place – Westbury - 10 Pts.
To the drill team fan, the annual Joe Hunter Drill can be explained in a few words:
Magical Water…
General Judges…
and…
Down to Buckets.
All in all it was the perfect drill team night.
Central Islip Hoboes
2011 Joe Hunter Memorial Drill Champs
Actually, we only would of heard General Judges twice, since Westbury ran after the Hoboes in Efficiency, but still a hot day for efficiency.
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