Rupture of cheers and claps could be heard after school in room nine from players cheering after a tough game that qualified them to go to the finals.
Science teacher Jeff Conner is the coach of the team.
“I’m always excited when our team makes it to the state finals. I think in person competition is a different thing than competing online. And the energy, the excitement about the players as they complete some sort of impressive attack against the opponent, and the oohs and awes that I hear from the crowd. It’s just a really cool atmosphere to be in, and I’m excited to see it again,” Conner said.
During the fall season the team had been playing the game Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Every Monday the team practiced, and on Tuesdays, the team played against other schools. Throughout the season, the team played eight other schools, winning all but one.
He is proud of what the team has accomplished.
“I thought we had a lot of development with the players, which is always what I like to see. So if we look at their skill level at the beginning of the season versus the skill level at the end of the season, I think every player grew,” Conner said.
Before the finals, the team is prepping in many ways.
“We’ll spend one week in practice, where we have just the top six practicing with each other. We’re going to look at the fighters that the other team that we might likely be going up against are going to be using, and make sure that our players are proficient at fighting against those different fighters,” Conner said.
“Also, we’ll have some conversation about expectations and about, you know, the psychology that’s involved with those high stakes competitions, and how we’ve got to keep our heads on as we’re going through and fighting to make sure that we don’t get overwhelmed by the pressure of all of it.”
On Nov. 22 the West High Esports team will be heading off to the finals. The team had gone there the previous year, placing fifth in their division.
“I would say that I think that making it to the state finals is an accomplishment regardless. So even if we finished last in the state competition. I think that’s still something that’s impressive,” Conner said.
The games will be live streamed by the Iowa High School Esports Association on their YouTube channel.
