Esports had their eyes set on winning the state title way before this season had started and each one of the players did their best in trying to achieve that goal. Sadly the team didn't quite accomplish their goal, but we are proud to say that the team finished as this year's State Runner up!
The team started the playoffs with a 3-0 win over Gilbert Christian (11-0, 13-0, 9-0), then they moved on to play the #10 seed, Centennial. This was another shutout win, scoring 4-0, 6-1, and 3-0 in a victory over this large 5A school. This win advanced the team to the semifinals, which were played in person at Paradise Valley Community College.
They had an amazing battle against Pueblo High School during the Semifinals, ending the game 3 – 0 and winning. That same day the Trojans Esports Rocket League team had to play the returning state champion, Nogales High School, during the State Championship. This is what they were all looking forward to all season. The Trojans started the game up 2-0, but Nogales made some quick adjustments and took advantage of the Trojans' aggressive offense. The game ended with a score of 4 – 2, with Nogales on top.
Even though the Rocket League team couldn't beat the defending State Champions, they all thought that this year was one of the greatest ever in their high school years. Senior captain
Ryan Bastic shared, "This season was one to remember. In my previous years, I had been hoping for those around me to put in the time and effort and the consistency that it takes to win, and that is exactly what I got. I got two teammates in
Christopher Meier and
Chase DeBoer who are very solid people, both on and off the Rocket League pitch. They are believers who are willing to hold true to their beliefs above all, but are willing to work hard, even harder than I am most of the time. I appreciate all that they bring to the team and couldn't have been happier to have gotten a shot to win the championship this year with them." Bastic had shared this prior to the matchup, "We all believe we can do it, and genuinely believe that if we play our game the way that we do, that nobody can stop us…But above all of that, under the humility, kindness, and love of those who are different: who think differently; therefore, live different." While the team didn't get the final trophy as they had hoped for, they can be proud of a tremendously successful season. Trojan Esports is here to stay and a legacy of excellence will continue.
The Trojan Super Smash Bros. team has had a good run this season alongside the Rocket League team. The Smash Bros. team had an amazing season, winning games and making it to the playoffs. They lost early in the playoffs against the Carl Hayden Falcon Esports team, losing the game 5 – 3. Even with the season not ending in the way they wished, both Esports teams had one of their best years by giving it their all and having a common goal they all wanted to reach.
With the season now behind them, the Trojan Super Smash Bros. and Rocket League team can look back with pride on their accomplishments. Their hard work and determination have shown through in their impressive regular season performances. Together they had formed a cohesive unit driven by a shared ambition. With the returning veteran players, leadership and experience was used to bring fresh energy and talent to the roster. As the offseason now begins, the Trojan Esports team will have the opportunity to build on this year's success. Keeping the core of the team intact and having new players come in, we hope that the Trojans will cement their status as a force to be reckoned with in Arizona Esports.
You can catch highlights and games on Twitch at
https://twitch.tv/valleychristainesports and on their YouTube Channel at
https://m.youtube.com/@valleychristianesports.
LET'S GO TROJANS!!!
