After two weeks of excitement, upsets and drama, the dodgeball tournament came to a close today, May 24. Pancakes took the title in a dominating fashion, closing out the tournament with a 2-0 victory over the Avengers.

In today’s semifinal matchups, Free Stop Sign faced off against the Avengers, while The Chef Game went toe-to-toe with the Pancakes. Both matches promised exciting, down-to-the wire games.

The Avengers came out strong against Free Stop Sign, who were unable to convert on several opportunities to take the lead. Unable to make catches, and with superior arms on the opposing side, Free Stop Sign’s run came to an abrupt halt. The game ended in a 2-0 win for The Avengers, and Free Stop sign was eliminated from the tournament.

“We came out and we knew it was going to be a tough game, but we just came out hard,” senior Avengers player Adam Warmoth said. “Matt came up with a big out in the first game, and from there, the momentum was in our favor.”

The next semifinal was much closer. In a heated match again The Chef Game, the Pancakes came from behind to up-end the powerful junior team. Both sides were closely matched, splitting the first two games and leaving the score tied 1-1. In the end, Pancakes were able to edge out Chef Game, paving the way for an all-senior final.

““The two best teams, I’d say, met in the semifinals,” senior Pancakes player Lucas Champenois said. “Going into the game, we got the whole team together and said we weren’t going to throw as much. The throws that we made, we were going to make them smart.”

In the finals, the two powerhouse teams of the tournament–the Pancakes and the Avengers–battled for the championship trophy. Although the game had promised to be a close one, Pancakes took a commanding lead early on. The Avenger’s strongest throwers, Matt Orton and Adam, were no match for the firepower of Nolan O’Such, Lucas Champenois, Bemi Omnipede, Simon Rosenbaum, Johnny Henriquez and Chita Maldonado.

After taking the first game, The Pancakes silenced all hopes of a comeback, making quick outs to leave Matt alone on the court. A volley of powerful shots from Chita, Nolan and Simon put an end to the second game, and The Pancakes took the 2-0 lead. They never looked back.

“Nolan had a lot [to do with the victory],” Lucas said. “At one point, he was in by himself and it was looking like we were going to lose the second game. He made two or three catches, and that turned it around.”

As the clock winded down, the Pancakes rejoiced in their victory, making for the first back-to-back champions (at least partially) in tournament history. Seniors Bemi, Chita and Lucas all starred on last year’s championship team, Swagnificent, and managed to repeat the feat again this year.

“We had a few times when balls just bounced off our chest,” Adam said. “Our arms were tired from the first game, and we just couldn’t bring it. But they were a good team, and we congratulate them on their victory.”

Chef Game beat out Free Stop Sign for third place in the consolation round, the consolation game being only a preview for next year as these all-junior teams prepare to dominate.

ASB also crowned dodgeball costume contest winners today. The teams Hot Diggity Dog, Menn of Schewitz and Stupid Fire Wet Loud were all given prizes for their creative clothing.

As the curtains close on yet another year of dodgeball at Los Altos, The Talon acknowledges all those who helped make the tournament happen. Every player and referee deserves credit for putting in the effort to make this year’s tournament a success.