by Luke Saliga
This year’s dodgeball tournament was the biggest one yet with tensions rising between some powerhouse teams. The four teams expected to be in the semifinals, the Black Stallion, the Gamecocks, the White Lightning, and the Dodgefathers, did not disappoint.
As the teams got ready, tensions rose. “We don’t like them. They don’t like us, plain and simple,” said James Adams. “It is all about bragging rights. If we win senior year, we get bragging rights for life.” There was a lot of name calling before and after the games between the teams.
“Well it is all fun and games. We really don’t hate each other,” said Ben King, ” but nothing makes a bigger rival than a best friend.”
In the semifinals the White Lightning faced the Dodgefathers, and the Lightning destroyed them winning two sets to none. The Black Stallions and the Gamecocks had a much better game. The Gamecocks won the first set, and then the Black Stallions won the second set. In the third set the Black Stallions had four guys left versus the Gamecocks’ one.
The last Gamecock was team captain James Adams. “I was so nervous I did not want to be the last one out and ruin our entire chances of winning,” said James Adams, “so I pulled it together and shocked everyone who was watching.”
Adams caught two balls thrown at him. That brought two more Gamecocks back in the game to turn the tide, three guys to two. Then the Gamecocks picked off the final two Stallions and advanced to the finals.
The finals pitting the White Lightning and the Gamecocks was another great game coming down to the final set, one on one. This time co-team captain for the Gamecocks Darnell Butler was the last one left. He dodged the first ball thrown at him by diving halfway across the court, and then he threw a sidearm ball right at the other player hitting him in the chest to win the Dodgeball Tournament.
“ I was so happy we won. We had a great run and too many close calls for me at least,” Butler said.
All the money raised in the Dodgeball Tournament, around $800, will be given to the Hudson food pantry. “ We help a good organization, and we let the kids have some competitive fun,” said Principal Reagan.
