Bloomfield Hills Team Wins Esports State Championship

(Bloomfield Hills Schools, Jan. 1, 2023)

Bloomfield Hills, MI – From a league with more than 180 teams competing from 55 different schools, the Bloomfield Hills High School Super Smash Bros Esports team of Henry Hutchinson (grade 11), Alex Kravetz (grade 12), and Robert Rabinowitz (grade 12) knocked out the competition to finish in first place at the State Championship. It is the second straight State title for the BHHS Smash Bros group. The team is coached by BHHS teacher Aaron Strager.

The Michigan High School Esports League Conference and State Championship offers nine different game titles for schools’ Esports teams. Three of the finals, including Super Smash Bros, were held as live match ups at Oakland University. The gamers played live in an arena style space with livestreamed “shoutcasting” (announcers) in front of a big crowd. “It was an amazing experience for these Esports athletes to see each other in person after competing against each other virtually during the season,” said Wendy Zdeb, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals which hosts MHSEL.

Students at the State Championship were able to hear a keynote address and a panel discussion of Esports professionals. There also were breakout sessions facilitated by collegiate-level Esports coaches and players. “The MASSP strives to not only allow students to shine as competitive gamers but also to provide college and career exploration along with the development of STEM skills,” explained Zdeb.

The Esports team at BHHS functions as a varsity sport with practices every day after school and weekly competitions on PlayVS with teams from across the state and country. Esports, or competitive gaming, is the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, and, much like traditional sports, requires teamwork, critical thinking, and communication to achieve success. However, Esports goes ever further to create a barrier-breaking, all-inclusive environment with a strong sense of community. All games are selected based on their competitiveness and strategy, and all are rated E for Everyone.