Last year, our Super Smash Bros team was severely understaffed. “We had eight slots for players, but only had three,” captain of the Super Smash Bros team senior Eric Rodriguez recalls. “We got curb stomped…None of us won anything.”

Super Smash Bros is a player-versus-player type game, focused on wiping the enemy’s chosen character out three times. Losing a life, or stock as it is called in-game, is not based on health but the number of hits taken previously, causing the player to get hit farther each time. A player then officially loses a stock once hit out of the screen.

Both competitions in Springfield and Chicago ended in a crushing defeat for the Eagles, but things seem different this year.

“I would say I have higher hopes for this year because we have a lot of promising players and there’s a lot of talent,”

Reflecting that of our Smash team, our upcoming Rocket League team this spring season looks debatably even more promising.

Previously, the Rocket League team went to sectionals ranking 8th overall. “We did pretty decent,” past varsity player and platinum Rocket League player Willow Finch mentioned. “Mr. Anderson [the Esports Coach] is talking about getting a few grand champs.” Grand Champion in competitive Rocket League is the second highest tier in the game. Considering this, the Rocket League team has extremely high hopes.

Rocket League is a soccer game where instead of players you drive cars, hitting both the soccer ball and the enemy team at full speed. It may be simplistic, but precise inputs and good teamwork are essential for a goal.

The players were unable to play last year due to complications, leaving no one close to that high of a rank being able to play on the team. Although they lacked experienced players, they still performed very well.

“There’s some maneuvering that can get hard but once you build that muscle memory, you just don’t need to think whenever you’re playing…It is actually a lot easier than games like League of Legends,” Finish mentions.

With these facts in mind, all players highly encourage more people to join if interested.

“I think you should at least try it out.” Rodrigez says, “You’ll meet other people that like to play video games, and I’ve made friends through the sports team. It’s a connection that you can’t have anywhere else.”

“We do give pretty decent coaching. Mr. Anderson does because he just knows the games pretty well, so he can help you if you guys want to get better at any game.” Finch comments, giving more of a reason to join if you were previously debating.

If you wish to meet people like you, or simply get better at your passions, the Esports room lets anyone in. If you are interested in Rocket League, it officially starts March 6th, and you can email Mr. Anderson for more information.

“Just show up, losers,” Finch laughs.