This year’s Handball tournament was full of surprises and upsets. In this article, we are going to go over some of the top surprises and moments from this year.
Biggest surprise: Falzonians
This 9th-grade team might have made the biggest run of any 9th-grade team in the tournament. Their first matchup was against a 10th-grade team called Pork En’ Em”, who previously beat Bottom of the Ladder, another 10th-grade team. The Falzonians got the W in overtime. Next was a matchup against the Fishermen, a middle school team. Being the favorites for the first and only time, the Falzonians were determined to win. However, the Fishermen would not let that come easy, as both teams went to the end of regulation tied 0-0. Once again, the Falzonians got the win in overtime. The semifinals would be where their run would run short. They were matched up against the Rubber Reapers, a team with Varsity Baseball studs like the Keown twins and Kellen Costello. Unfortunately, the Rubber Reapers would win 3-0, cutting the Falzonians’ dreams.
Clutch Player: Jake Parker, D Cubed
Now, I might be a little biased for this, as he was on my team, but I am not wrong. Parker had 2 clutch goals for D Cubed; one in overtime and one with under 15 seconds left to tie the game. The first goal happened during round one, against Final Zapata Academy. Both teams went into overtime with a score of 1-1. As the Final Zapata Academy was older and taller, they easily won the tip-off. Right after it was won, they tried for a shot at the open net, missing wide. They tried getting the rebound, but not before it went out of bounds. Jake Parker went for a shot from behind the half-court line, and it went in, giving D Cubed the win. The next matchup was against Tock’s Scrubs, with student council president Finn Olohan. D Cubed down by one with 15 seconds left. Jake Parker got the ball in the right corner of the Scrubs’ zone. With a quick shot, he scored, sending the game to overtime. Tock’s scrubs would win, but the game would not have gone to overtime if it weren’t for the clutch shot.
Top Goalie: Gavin Rees, BG’s Team
Playing goalie in Handball is no easy thing, especially if it is against older kids. Gavin Rees, 9th Grade, however, made it look easy. Although his team lost 2-0 to the Vengeful Vectors, he faced 8 shots in a span of two minutes, and saved six of them, a true lights-out performance against basketball studs such as Archie Mueller.
Goal of the Tournament: Patrick Keown, Rubber Reapers.
Keown received a pass near the crease, in the left corner of the opposing team’s zone. He was then double-teamed. Patrick took a dribble, then two steps, and made a sharp angle shot that looked impossible, and went past the goalie’s left hand. He was off-balance the whole time.
Championship Recap: Rubber Reapers vs. Rub, 10th Grade vs 12th Grade
From the start of the tip-off, Rub seemed to have the edge over their opponents. Goalie Thomas Lafrance was a brick wall, stopping nearly every shot the whole tournament. This game, however, he didn’t have to face many, if not any, shots. Rub’s defense was on point, with every drive from the Reapers resulting in either a steal or a turnover. Rub scored 2 quick goals and, with lockdown defense, ended the game with a shutout. Congrats to Rub!
