Only four teams in the state qualify for the eSports state championship, and Reeds Spring Middle School will be represented in two categories. One team plays the video game Super Smash Bros. and the other plays Rocket League.
“It's just a wonderful thing to see,” said RSMS eSports Coach Drew Parsons. “Students come together, support each other, and learn from each other.”
The Smash Bros. team members are Aleksey Smith, Aeries Glasgow, Josh Thomas, Brayden Higginbottom, Pierce Carlson, and Travis Gray. Carlson said he enjoys playing video games and making friends, but there’s another benefit.
“Other students are actually starting to recognize us,” Carlson said. “So are teachers. It’s going around school that we're going to state.”
The Rocket League team members are Asher Halbmeier, Jaxen Fletcher, and Johnny Farmer. Halbmeier said it was an emotional moment when the team advanced to state.
“We did so good that we made Mr. Parsons cry,” Halbmeier said.
“It's true, I did,” Parsons said. “I love their enthusiasm and how it takes the same level of discipline, research, and practice time as any other sport.”
All of the players credit Coach Parsons for making them better.
“He helps us work together as a team,” Farmer said.
“I don't really teach the game, I just manage interpersonal relationships and coach character. They build off of each other,” Parsons said.
Both teams will play on Friday, May 10 in Mexico, Missouri.
