GHSA crowns fall esports champions. Which high schools gamed their way to the top?

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·1 min read
Brookwood High School players celebrate their victory in "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" at the GHSA State Esports Championships at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Brookwood High School players celebrate their victory in "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" at the GHSA State Esports Championships at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

GHSA recognizes competitive video-game playing, also known as esports, as a legitimate sport like football or basketball. As such, the top young players were recently put together to determine the best-of-the-best.

Georgia's Esports State Championships took place on Dec. 15 at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, west of Atlanta. Here were the champions:

  • League of Legends: Peachtree Ridge High from Suwanee.

  • Madden NFL 24: Towers High from Decatur.

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Trinity Christian from Sharpsburg.

  • NBA 2K24: Westlake High from Atlanta.

  • Rocket League: Lambert High from Suwanee.

  • Splatoon 3: Northview High from Johns Creek.

  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Class A - 4A): Seckinger High from Buford.

  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Class 5A - 7A): Brookwood High from Snellville.

Gamers from high schools across Georgia compete in a variety of vide-games at the GHSA State Esports Championships at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Gamers from high schools across Georgia compete in a variety of vide-games at the GHSA State Esports Championships at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

As with other school sports, the champions were awarded trophies, commemorative swag, and similar souvenirs.

Esports is facilitated in Georgia through GHSA's ongoing partnership with PlayVS whose CEO Jon Chapman called this season's championships inspiring and praised the prowess of the participating players.

"While that level of rivalry made for an exciting tournament, what’s most powerful to me are the skills these students take home with them," Chapman said. "Their learnings go beyond esports, including lessons in leadership, teamwork, and technical abilities.

"Over the past few years, esports programs across Georgia have experienced remarkable growth. It’s been fantastic to watch the result of that as we wrap up the season.”

The spring season of esports kicks off when students get back from their winter breaks. For more information, go to ghsa.net/esports.

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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia High School Association fall esports championship 2023 results