Santa Fe Springs, CA, WPH Press
WPH Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Tom Flores and the World Players of Handball presented the Icebreaker Pre Qualifier on the final Saturday in November at Los Nietos Park in Santa Fe Springs, CA. The Los Nietos Icebreaker Pre-Qualifier A singles finalists, the A doubles champions, and the B doubles champions received a free entry into the $15k December 14-15, 2024 Tucson 3-Wall Icebreaker.
Men’s A Singles
WPH Outdoor legend Chava Cordova won the A Singles, defeating former Icebreaker champion Chopper Hernandez in the final.
“Chopper was more rested after winning his semifinals in two games and took the first game of the final against Chava,” stated Flores, watching and running the tournament simultaneously. “Chava started fast in the second, taking a good lead. Chopper came back strong to tie Chava at game point. At game point, Chava made an amazing dive to continue the rally and won the game with a pass shot. Game three went point for point, with Chava taking all his time outs. Chava eventually took the game and the match, 12-10.”
“I did not play so great, I almost lost every match but I managed,” stated Chava, who had been playing mostly 4-Wall in recent weeks.
Semifinals
Chava def Raven 9-12, 12-10, 12-10
Chopper def Nathan 12-8, 12-10
Final: Chava def Chopper 10-12, 12-9, 12-10
Men’s A Doubles
Former WPH Outdoor number one Alfredo Morales teamed with Eddie Torito to win the A doubles, defeating Team Cesar/Rigo in the final.
Icebreaker Pre Qualifier at Los Nietos Park Champions
A Singles: Chava Cordova (finalist: Chopper Hernandez)
A Doubles: Alfredo Morales/Eddie Torito
B Doubles: David Hernandez/Beto BP
Thank you to Tom Flores for running a great event at Los Nietos. Thank you to all of the players for competing.
Pictures courtesy of Tom Flores
Watch the matches on the California Handball players only Facebook page HERE
Enter the December 14-15, 2024 Tucson 3-Wall Icebreaker HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer