Monday, December 17, 2012
On the first day of the Elite Eight of the Poly High Dodgeball Classic, the Sky Lemeshes proved to be the masters of the hardwood. With a flourish of rubber wizardry, the team was able to conquer Party Polo in the first game of the afternoon, and, despite the ability of the Jocks to break the sound barrier with their powerful throws, that team as well. The Sky Lemeshes put forth a true team effort in which they used the weapon of the catch to their advantage. The Jocks advanced to this game by defeating Future Soldiers in their opening matchup. This set up an elimination game in which Party Polo squared off against the Future Soldiers. This game came down to the wire as Robert Bentley (12) of Party Polo was able to orchestrate a comeback for his team with an impressive display of catches and pinpoint accuracy. He was rewarded for his efforts with a sudden death faceoff between Bentley and Chris Gaines (12) of the Future Soldiers. After a dramatic buildup, Bentley was able to eliminate his opponent with single throw. Alas, this would prove to be the high point for Party Polo, as they were unable to withstand the barrage of rubber rain that the Jocks sent their way in the second elimination game. Thus, the Jocks emerged victorious in this game, and, along with the Sky Lemeshes, will advance to the next round.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The second day of the double elimination quarterfinals offered even more dodgeball fireworks, with the e-Lemon-ators squelching the Bad News Bears and Thunderballs, despite a dramatic final stand by Jacqui Bywater (11), to automatically qualify. With all teams having fantastic athletes by this stage in the competition, it wasn’t skull-cracking throws that won the day, but sound strategy. Any ball launched was closely followed by one from a second E-Lemon-ator, making it nearly impossible to avoid, catch or block both. After a solid victory over the Big Babas and their close defeat to the E-Lemon-ators, Thunderballs defeated the Bad News Bears (also victors over the Big Babas), in the most exciting game of the day. Bad News Bear Cole Gorrell (12) pulled his team from the brink of defeat by sinking a shot from behind the blue line to bring his entire team back into play. Both sides played remarkably into the final stages of the game, making impressive catches and dodges, but when the rubber cleared, Thunderballs finally proved victorious, and will join the Jocks, Sky Lemeshes (4-0 in qualifying), and E-Lemon-ators in the Final Four on Wednesday, December 19.