It wasn’t exactly the showdown of the century, but history was still made this weekend when OVS and Besant Hill squared off in their first-ever League of Legends duel.
The event, held at Besant’s main theater, marked the first foray by OVS students into competitive e-sports. While OVS did not come out victorious in the League battle, the players now have a new sense of determination and accomplishment.
“I think our team played valiantly,” English teacher and OVS basketball coach Brad Weidlich said. “I didn’t think I’d enjoy watching other people playing video games, but I did.”
It all started with Besant’s athletic director and basketball coach. After confirming with his students that group gaming was something they wanted to do, he contacted Mr. Weidlich and offered the duel, to the delight of OVS’ competitive gamers.
“I think it is a very good opportunity for OVS to realize that video games are more than just a waste of time and actually have competitive potential and some thinking and dexterity involved,” senior Amir Podoswa said. “Luckily, Mr. Weidlich somehow got involved in e-sports and made my dream come true.”
Amir was the Attack Damage Carry, or ADC, of the varsity team. ADC’s are the main source of damage on the team, making them a high-priority target and making the role a stressful one to play.
“We had heard rumors about how good they were,” Amir said, “but we still had no idea what to expect.”
Two sets of tables were set up in Besant’s theater and the game was projected onto the big screen in the middle. More than a dozen Besant students watched and cheered and groaned alongside the players, truly immersing them into the competition.
As the lights dimmed and the shoutcaster rolled off the names of the competitors and champions, the excitement of the room rose tenfold and grins spread out amongst the players. The game loaded with the signature “Welcome to Summoner’s Rift” voice and the smiles disappeared.
OVS gamers played to their strengths and stayed calm, communicated a lot, and played safe during the game. Besant’s team had more experience playing together and more refined techniques, which allowed it to win the first two games in a two out of three series.
The JV teams were closer in skill and had a good early game, but it still resulted it in a loss for OVS.
Playing the support role on the JV team was junior Cole Zellner, who also helped Mr. Weidlich manage and create the teams. The Support’s job is to protect (or, as the name states, support) the ADC at all costs, making it, in a way, the second most stressful role to play.
“I could have helped out my ADC more if I was better prepared,” Cole said
And indeed, more preparation and more practice is the team’s aim. The showdown between OVS and Besant is just the beginning of a long and hard journey for the gamers of OVS.
“We have to be better,” Mr. Weidlich said.