The SVHS E-Sports team is still blowing fire across the digital playing field. Coached by math teacher and video game lover, Mr. Anspach, the sport is now growing to a second Junior Varsity team since its debut in 2024.
Competing through Nintendo Online or Playverse, the team plays other schools, focusing mainly on the popular game: Super Smash Bros. Commonly, SVHS students play against each other which elevates the good sportsmanship seen in the players.
Senior, Quinn Gamble, joined in his junior year and is a co-captain. He has loved “leading the different teams,” and remarks on the satisfying “growth of the program,” as well as “giving the opportunity to people [who] aren’t usually in sports [a chance to be],”.
The team practices during break and lunch along with club members. Outsiders are welcome to watch their matches during their fall and spring seasons as well as their tournaments during the winter.
The E-Sports team recently participated in the Playverse Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Solos Tournament during their off-season. Out of the 10 players on the varsity team, an outstanding eight players advanced to the second round.
At the end of the second round, five of the eight participating players advanced to round three, including Luke Gilstrap, Quinn Gamble, Niko Fernandez, Lincoln Kraus, Jake Good, and Zach Montgomery. Although many players were forced to forfeit in the fifth round, they fought hard and will continue to defeat the competition in the upcoming spring season.
