The eSports 2024 Winter Season

With the end of a slow fall season, the eSports team enters its winter season, featuring both Rocket League and Overwatch 2. Last year the Overwatch team was able to go all the way to state finals and secure 3rd place, and this year, Coach Palmer hopes to improve. “Technically the winter season didn’t start until now, but we’ve already been practicing beforehand. We’ve been talking about some different maps and different comps,” he said. “We don’t necessarily have to be the best team in the state, we just have to be better than the team we’re playing against that week.”

Returning player Kamryn Boatright talked about his expectations for the 2024 season, “This year, I don’t think we’re gonna lose a single game in the pre-season to get to the competition.” He explained, “I’m pretty confident… because we have a more cohesive team this time around.” Boatright was an essential part of the team last year, with thousands of hours poured into Overwatch 2, and given the title of #1 tank in the state by Coach Palmer. While a majority of the Overwatch team graduated at the end of last year, Boatright feels the team has already established a close bond.

The Rocket League team is also hoping for a more successful season this time around. Assistant Coach Kessel has taken the role of the designated coach for Rocket League and has plans in mind to take them to state finals. “We are just in the second week of practice, and we have already scrimmed higher level players and done replay reviews to look for ways to adjust and improve moving forward,” he said. Coach Kessel has prior experience coaching and competing in Rocket League, starting a team at this old school in 2020, and winning a championship. “The amount of improvement that they have already shown in the last two weeks is really promising, and I look forward to seeing how they do this season.”

The size of the Overwatch team this year is noticeably bigger than any other season, meaning upcoming practices are expected to be more crowded with fewer stations available. “I still want everybody to be on the team because I think it’s fun to come and hang out and you can still come watch, participate, hear all the planning,” said Palmer. He promises that anyone who joins will be given an equal opportunity to get onto the final roster, but only the top five selected will compete in matches every week.

Once scheduled matches officially begin on the week of the 9th, competitions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays with practices held on those same days from 3:15 – 4:15 after school in room 331. State finals will be held in the final week of February and streamed on the team’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@WaukeeEsports. Anyone is welcome to join regardless of skill level, and invited to play any game, even if it is not featured during the current season. Fill out the form at https://bit.ly/waukeeesports24 to get put on the email list for weekly updates on the team and match info.