Wizards Splatoon 3 Team advances to final four

The Wizards Esports League is deep into the playoffs, with several teams advancing to regional semifinals as well as the Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation (ESSEF) Championships – a clear sign of just how formidable the Wizards have become in the scholastic esports community.  
 
This season has already delivered plenty of excitement, including one unforgettable moment captured on video earlier this week (watch below!). 
 
With less than 30 seconds left in a Splatoon 3 final tiebreaker, the Wizards Esports team pulled off a legendary comeback, upsetting St. Mark's High School (Wilmington, DE) and advancing to the regional semifinals. 
 
But first, what exactly is Splatoon 3? 
 
Splatoon 3 is an online Nintendo multiplayer game where players compete using ink powered weapons to battle for territory and complete objectives. In competitive esports, teams face off in a best of five series that rotates through several game modes, including Turf War, Rainmaker and Tower Control. 
 
For this final showdown, the game mode was Clam Blitz, a fast paced, five minute match that blends elements of paintball and basketball with seashells. In the game, players gather clams and deposit them into the opposing team’s basket. Picking up eight clams transforms into Power Clam, which can be used to break down the shield that protects the other team’s goal. The first team to clear 100 points or have the lowest score wins.
 
Heading into the final seconds, the Wizards were down 88-74.  
 
“It basically looked like it was over,” said Wizards Esports Coach Kevin Calderin. “Then, suddenly, it all snapped into place.” 
 
What happened next will go down in Wizards Esports history as one of the most insane clutch moments. The play was a full team effort, with impeccable timing and exceptional communication on display. 
 
Freshman Zahara “ZAR” Elmardi locked down the flank, wiping out the sneaky threat coming in from the side, which allowed her teammates to push safely up front. By doing so, ZAR created just enough space for Edwin “Tabpol” Charriez to charge in and smash a Power Clam into the enemy basket, breaking the barrier that normally protects their goal.  
 
With the opponent’s shield down and the clock bleeding out, team captain Liz “Wyvern” Montroy scooped up the football-sized clam, charged straight through the chaos and slammed home a massive dunk into the open basket with less than a second on the timer, flipping the score at the buzzer and sealing the Wizards’ win! 

“Just thinking about it makes my heart race,” Liz said. “The team works diligently every day, strategizing weeks, days, and especially during our matches, but in this moment, none of us knew what could happen.”

Liz explained that it was a blend of team work, determination and a little bit of luck that helped the Wizards come out victorious  over such a challenging opponent.
 
This last second victory is just one highlight in what has already been an impressive fall season. And with the season wrapping up, defending State Champion Edwin “Tabpol” Charriez has once again secured a spot in the ESSEF Championship for Smash Solos, and will be joined by teammate Christopher "Jayke" Roman in Syracuse on December 13.  
 
The Smash Teams squad has reached the Top 8 and will compete against West Genesee on December 5 for a chance to advance.  
 
The Marvel Rivals completed an incredible pilot season, putting up a tenacious fight and finishing in 5th place overall.   
 
In Mario Kart, the Wizards advanced to Top 8 after a dominant win against Evertech Broome-Tioga BOCES and now face Auburn High School to punch their ticket to Championships on December 4.  
 
Good luck, Wizards!