The Podcast Episode is Recorded! However I am locked out of my account ;-; (waiting on soundcloud to help me back in)
The Episode won't go up today so here's a couple of points I made in the podcast regarding this comp.
-referencing the community predictions, it seems as though roughly 1/4 were in favor of NWR, 1/4 for WJ, and 1/4 for MC, with the last chunk of 25% split between several other groups
-looking through the comments, KJ Andrews was one group placement off from a perfect prediction (shoutout kj)
-I heard NWR and WJ were within a point of each other in prelims (wow)
-Congrats to Wayne Co. for their 2nd time in a row making finals a South Jones
-huge congrats to renown for winning their first ever competition, that does not happen often anywhere. The PRC womens group is a really strong Single-Gender group(they've placed over both Tallassee Single-Gender groups, several tier mixed groups, and even their own mixed group in the past, so to consider this renown victory an upset would be an understatement.
-every group here has to hit the ground running to improve their shows going into JASI and The MIssissippi State Show Choir Contest. WJ is looking at a sweep if they can keep improving. MC, NWR, Biloxi, Oak Grove, and Renown among other groups will face much stiffer competition at JASI
-NE Jones will get another shot a WJ this weekend. Having already snagged best show design, can they close the gap?
-now is not the time to be static. Finals at JASI are not promised for every Tier I group. These groups will have a slight edge having been hit with the realism of the new show choir competitive climate. Now we have shows, we have results, we have some insight.
This upcoming weekend has 5 competitions in the south, ranging across 3 states (TX,MS,AL) and the results of this invitational may have large implications about what we could see from some of these groups going forward.
Grand Champion- West Jones ‘Imagination’ (Best Vocals)
1RU: Northwest Rankin ‘Ambassadors’ (Best Choreography)
2RU: Northeast Jones ‘Gold Horizons’ (Best Show Design)
3RU: Madison Central ‘Reveille’
4RU: Wayne County ‘Orange Sensations’
PREDICTIONS
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GC: Reveille (Vocals, Choreography)
1RU: West Jones
2RU: NorthWest Rankin
3RU: PRC Mixed
4RU: Biloxi / PRC Women / NE Jones /
I believe West Jones is the group to beat here. Imagination is notorious for high energy shows and Impressive Showmanship. Since 2016, West Jones has either Won their division, or come in a close 2nd at South Jones. (And only to Homewood and Petal). This is definitely their space.
With that being said, If reveille has another year like 2020, they will take this competition by storm.
PRC should not be counted out. Nor should Biloxi or NWR despite their transition to a larger division. I really wish I could see this competition in person ;-;