DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 July 16, 2016 -- July 11, 2015 2016 - Unfortunately Blue Devils were rained out so we did not get our first same day look at nearly the entire top 25. After all of the excitement, there were no changes in the make-up of the top 12 or the top 25 although there were plenty of shake-ups within those groups. The biggest increase in score came from Carolina Crown (+4.375), returning to action after a five day hiatus and jumping to the #2 spot in the rankings. The biggest decrease in score came from Golden Empire (-4.450), dropping them 7 spots in the rankings to #32. To answer the questions I posed yesterday: 1) The Cavaliers were not able to pass Santa Clara Vanguard, finishing 1.000 behind. 2) Blue Stars did hold off Madison Scouts to maintain the #8 spot in head-to-head competition, but it was the Blue Knights making the push past the Madison Scouts to #9. 3) Carolina Crown answered with a strong statement as it returned to action in #2 while The Cadets dropped two spots to #5. Tonight's the night we've all been waiting for. The current top 7 will be joined by the Blue Knights (currently #9) for the first head-to-head battle. The biggest question: Who comes out on top, Blue Devils or Bluecoats? Or is it possible that a surging Carolina Crown opens up a three-way battle? Don't forget about the back and forth action going on with Vanguard Cadets and Blue Devils B. Four corps complete their seasons tonight in the same show (Blue Devils C, Golden Empire, Incognito Watchmen). Corps debuts remaining: Guardians (7/21), Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Columbians (7/9), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9) 2015 - No corps moved by more than 3 points in score, but that didn't stop there from being some excitement in the placement game when The Cadets moved up two spots to #2 after beating the Blue Devils head-to-head, dropping them to #3. This was a night where one might argue that scores across shows were really out of whack. Two new corps joined the top 12 briefly as a result (The Academy, Colts) while three eventual top 12 corps were pushed out (Boston Crusaders, Crossmen, Madison Scouts). The biggest positive movement of the night came for Gold, increasing by 13 spots into the Top 25 after not performing in competition for nearly two weeks. Year over Year - Jersey Surf continues its lead in the "most improved" category from 2015 to 2016 and is now joined by Gold in that category. If the season ended today, both corps would be 6 positions ahead of last year's finish. The corps showing the greatest potential decrease of position is Spartans, currently positioned at #30 after finishing last year at #23. They have not performed since July 5 and will not return to action until July 23. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 July 17, 2016 -- July 12, 2015 2016 - The Blue Devils emerge from the first head-to-head battle as the only undefeated corps in World Class, beating Bluecoats by 0.600. Carolina Crown is right behind, only 0.150 behind Bluecoats. The top corps will reunite again tonight, this time joined by Blue Stars who will try to take back the #8 spot from Blue Knights. Unsurprisingly the greatest score increase went to Blue Devils (+3.050) after five days out of competition. No corps moved more than 2 spots in the standings although there was a change in the top 12 with The Academy passing Boston Crusaders for #12 for the moment. Corps debuts remaining: Guardians (7/21), Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Blue Devils C (7/17), Columbians (7/9), Golden Empire (7/17), Incognito (7/17), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9), Watchmen (7/17) 2015 - The biggest increase in score came from Incognito (+2.70) while Gold saw the biggest decrease (-1.35). On the placement side, two corps increased by three spots (Louisiana Stars from #34 to #31 and Blue Stars from #12 to #9) while Gold saw the biggest decrease in placement (-4) from #25 to #29. Just like 2016 Blue Devils moved up from #3 to #1 once head-to-head with the other top corps. Unlike 2016, all 5 of the top 5 were within just 1.75. Year over Year - The top 5 are identical in composition although not placement from year to year at this time of the season. 6, 7, and 8 are also the same although in reverse order. Jersey Surf and Gold continue their lead in the "most improved" category from 2015 to 2016. If the season ended today, both corps would be 6 positions ahead of last year's finish. The corps showing the greatest potential decrease of position are Spartans and Raiders, currently positioned at #30 after finishing last year at #23 and #43 after finishing last year at #36 respectively. Both corps are out of action for several more days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 July 18, 2016 -- July 13, 2015 2016 - Blue Devils hold off a push from Bluecoats while Carolina Crown falls back just a bit in what appears to be a three-way race for the top spot at the moment. Blue Devils and Carolina Crown will match up again tonight, but all three won't see each other next until Friday. The only change in placement in the second Tour of Champions show in as many days was the movement of The Cadets and Santa Clara Vanguard, now in 4th and 5th respectively. Pacific Crest put up the largest score increase of the night (+3.225), which propelled them to the most significant placement increase (+3) as well. The greatest decrease in score came from Pioneer (-0.700), dropping them one spot to #27. No changes in the top 12 although Boston Crusaders have closed the gap with The Academy to only 0.350. Corps debuts remaining: Guardians (7/21), Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Blue Devils C (7/17), Columbians (7/9), Golden Empire (7/17), Incognito (7/17), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9), Watchmen (7/17) 2015 - The biggest increase in score came from The Cavaliers (+1.85), good for an increase of 1 spot in placement. The biggest decrease in score went to Cascades (-0.55), causing a 1 spot decrease in placement. Notably, there was a change at the top of the rankings in head-to-head competition as The Cadets bested Blue Devils by 0.30. The tight race in the top 5 was also evident with Santa Clara Vanguard and Carolina Crown showing tie scores in 4th place although not in head-to-head competition. Year over Year - The top 8 are identical in composition although not placement from year to year at this time of the season. Jersey Surf and Gold continue their lead in the "most improved" category from 2015 to 2016. If the season ended today, both corps would be 6 positions ahead of last year's finish. The corps showing the greatest potential decrease of position are Spartans and Raiders, currently positioned at #30 after finishing last year at #23 and #43 after finishing last year at #36 respectively. Both corps are out of action for several more days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 July 19, 2016 -- July 14, 2015 2016 - Only one show. Main story is Carolina Crown closing the gap to Blue Devils to a separation of only 0.40 in head-to-head competition. The biggest score increase went to Genesis (+2.775) although it had no effect on placements. The only score decrease went to Pacific Crest (-0.100). The biggest change in placements went to The Academy (+3), moving up to #9 as the corps works to establish itself as a contender not only for top 12 but for the very tight 8-12. There's only one show tonight. The main story will be the action between Blue Knights, Blue Stars, and Crossmen. This will be only the second match-up for Blue Stars and Crossmen (Blue Stars won on 6/27) and the first match-up for Blue Knights and Crossmen. Blue Stars defeated Blue Knights twice in the past 5 days by margins of 0.750 and 0.450. Corps debuts remaining: Guardians (7/21), Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Blue Devils C (7/17), Columbians (7/9), Golden Empire (7/17), Incognito (7/17), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9), Watchmen (7/17) 2015 - Genesis saw the biggest increase in score (+4.10) after 6 days off. Crossmen also posted a 3+ point increase (+3.10). The biggest decrease in score went to Colts (-0.75). Crossmen and Pioneer both showed placing improvements of +5 spots to #10 and #27 respectively. Blue Devils regained the #1 spot, although Carolina Crown closed the gap quite a bit and The Cadets were off. Year over Year - The top 8 are identical in composition although not placement from year to year at this time of the season. Jersey Surf and Gold continue their lead in the "most improved" category from 2015 to 2016 and are now joined by The Academy. If the season ended today, all three corps would be 6 positions ahead of last year's finish. The corps showing the greatest potential decrease of position are Spartans and Raiders, currently positioned at #30 after finishing last year at #23 and #43 after finishing last year at #36 respectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 (edited) July 20, 2016 -- July 15, 2015 2016 - Only one show. Blue Knights won the head-to-head battle with Blue Stars and Crossmen with some separation. This is a reversal of Blue Stars finishing ahead twice in the past 5 days. Corps debuts remaining: Guardians (7/21), Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Blue Devils C (7/17), Columbians (7/9), Golden Empire (7/17), Incognito (7/17), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9), Watchmen (7/17) 2015 - Madison Scouts saw the greatest increase in score (+3.60) and placement (+5). The Cadets retook the #1 spot but without Blue Devils competing, it's unclear whether this is a significant change or not. Year over Year - Without competing, Gold took the lead in the "most improved" category. If the season ended today, the corps would be finishing 7 spots higher than last year at #27. Edited July 21, 2016 by DrumCorpsRadio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 July 21, 2016 -- July 16, 2015 2016 - Guardians made its debut with a score of 59.15, good for #27. The biggest increase in score went to Santa Clara Vanguard (+2.00) after a three day break from competition. Cascades saw its score decrease the most (-0.90). The only corps that saw a position change of more than 1 spot was Madison Scouts (+2). It seems that Carolina Crown has made a definitive statement about there being a 3-way fight for the title this year after defeating Bluecoats head-to-head for the first time this season. The two corps meet up with Blue Devils tonight in a Tour of Champions event. Right now, the top 5 is perfectly aligned in order to last year's championship show. Will that still be the case after tonight's competition? Corps debuts remaining: Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Blue Devils C (7/17), Columbians (7/9), Golden Empire (7/17), Incognito (7/17), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9), Watchmen (7/17) 2015 - Guardians made its debut with a score of 54.50, good for #35. Phantom Regiment saw the greatest increase in score (+2.85) while Genesis saw the greatest increase in placement (+3). Pacific Crest had the only score decrease (-0.50). Year over Year - Gold maintained its lead in the "most improved" category. If the season ended today, the corps would be finishing 6 spots higher than last year at #28. There is a remarkable similarity in the top 3 between the two seasons although The Cadets have been replaced by Carolina Crown in the discussion. However, this year, Blue Devils remain undefeated, giving them a bit of a psychological and emotional lead whereas last year there was more change at the top from show to show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueStainGlass Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Interesting that 12th place score last year is 9th this year and current 12th is 2 points lower. Bottom of the top 12 is lower but the first place groups are tenths off of the scores from last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share Posted July 23, 2016 July 22, 2016 -- July 17, 2015 2016 - Blue Devils undefeated season came to a halt in convincing fashion as they were passed by Carolina Crown and Bluecoats. Bluecoats out for blood as they overturned the previous night's placement and reclaimed their spot at the top of the standings going into San Antonio. Yet the top 3 is spread by a total of only 0.50 so it's really up for grabs. Bluecoats had the largest increase at +0.90 while The Cadets showed the greatest decrease (-1.25). Corps debuts remaining: Les Stentors (7/23) Corps seasons complete: Blue Devils C (7/17), Columbians (7/9), Golden Empire (7/17), Incognito (7/17), The Battalion (7/9), Thunder (7/9), Watchmen (7/17) 2015 - There was much less excitement in 2015 as the top 5 remained the same two night's in a row. (The shake-up is coming!). Blue Devils and The Cadets each put up +1.40 increases while Crossmen lost a point in their match-up with the top corps. Year over Year - Gold maintained its lead in the "most improved" category. If the season ended today, the corps would be finishing 6 spots higher than last year at #28. It looks like we are going to have a second year in a row where the lead changes on any given night. Should make for some great match-ups to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumCorpsRadio Posted July 24, 2016 Author Share Posted July 24, 2016 July 23, 2016 -- July 18, 2015 2016 - There was very little movement in the Top 12 at the first regional with no changes if you factor in previous head-to-head competition. Overall, the biggest increases in score came in the non-regional show: Spartans (+6.30), 7th Regiment (+5.20), and Legends (+4.20). The first two corps had been out of action since July 5 and Legends since July 16. The largest decrease in score went to Guardians (-1.20), which coincided with the biggest negative change in placement (-4 to #31). Thanks to the score increases, Spartans (+6 to #25) and 7th Regiment (+6 to #27) saw the biggest improvement in placement. Les Stentors made its debut at #41 with a score of 48.200. Jersey Surf dropped out of the Top 25. 2015 - Just like 2016, the most significant score increases came at the non-regional: Spartans and 7th Regiment both increased by 6.90. In San Antonio, there were several significant score decreases though: Pacific Crest (-4.050) and Genesis (-3.60) leading the way. Spartans showed the greatest improvement in position (+9 to #24) while Genesis fell the most (-7 to #28). Les Stentors made its debut at #37 with a score of 52.975. Year over Year - With the first regional behind us, the story lines begin to take on a bit more definition. In 2015, we saw a great deal of change at the top from San Antonio to Indianapolis. Keep in mind that this time last year, The Cadets were on top before falling to #4 at finals. Yet there were no changes in the Top 12. If that were to hold true this year, the biggest story would be The Academy making its first visit to the top 12 and Boston Crusaders being knocked out of finals for the first since 1998, the year before the corps made finals for the first time. Boston has not placed lower than #10 in its years as a finalist corps. The Academy came closest in 2007 when it finished #13 after winning the Division II title in 2006. Gold maintained its lead in the "most improved" category. If the season ended today, the corps would be finishing 5 spots higher than last year at #29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRASSO Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) Interesting that 12th place score last year is 9th this year and current 12th is 2 points lower. Bottom of the top 12 is lower but the first place groups are tenths off of the scores from last year. This sort of belies the point we oftentimes hear that " from top to bottom, the Corps this season are the best they have ever been ". The well researched data provided here does not support this position very well however. On the other hand, setting the Corps overall quality levels aside for the moment, if someone states that this is their favorite year ever in their personal enjoyment levels for these Corps from top to bottom, there is no quantitative data that could ever dismiss THAT position, as this is entirely a personal choice matter, and entirely within that person's personal domain. Edited July 24, 2016 by BRASSO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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