Kody Skeals was the only one left.
The opposing team had more than 10 people on the floor and all of them were trying to hit Skeals with a big, soft, round ball.
I was scared out of my mind, said Skeals, a seventh grader.
After several minutes of dodging his attackers, Skeals made a spectacular catch of an errant throw. The catch drew a cheer from the crowd and brought all of his teammates back to the floor. In one brief moment, Skeals’ team transitioned from what looked like a certain defeat to an advantage in the number of players on the court.
`It’s something different for the kids to do on a Friday night,` said Betsy Glasser, co-president of the Mohonasen Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO). `There have been other dodgeball tournaments at the high school in the past, but this is the first time we’ve done it at the middle school.`
Glasser said approximately 60 kids, four teams of 15, participated in the dodgeball tournament, which was held at Draper Middle School on Friday, Feb. 8.
Nearly 100 parents, school officials and students cheered from the bleachers.
`It’s awesome having the crowd,` said Skeals. `But I’m here for the fun and competition.`
Among those in the crowd was Draper Middle School Principal Debra Male. She said the dodgeball event was one of many sport-related events hosted by the PTSO.
`They also hosted a PTSO basketball game in November between middle and high school teachers,` said Male. `The kids and parents like to come out and show their support.`
Dennis Corbett, a Mohonasen assistant junior varsity football coach, officiated the tournament. He used the rules of dodgeball to teach the teams a life lesson.
`I can’t see everyone who gets out,` he said. `You’ve got to do the right thing even when no one is watching, so if you get hit with the ball, go to the sidelines.`
While the event was competitive, the four impromptu teams mostly came to the tournament to have fun, said Glasser.
`The kids like playing dodgeball in gym class, so we thought they might like to play here tonight,` said Glasser.
The PTSO sold refreshments at the tournament to raise funds for their Afterglow and Teen Town programs.
The Afterglow program is the PTSO’s after-prom event, which runs from midnight to 4 a.m. each year. The goal of Afterglow is to provide a safe and fun environment to students.
The popular Teen Town program gives Draper Middle School students a fun night out where they can socialize with friends in a well-supervised setting. Teen Towns are held at the middle school, usually twice a month.
At Teen Town, students can dance to music provided by a disc jockey in the school cafeteria, play basketball in the gym, and play foosball, pool and air hockey. Pizza, soda and other snacks are sold throughout the night.
There is a $3 fee to attend Teen Town. The next Teen Town event will be held Friday, Feb. 15, at Draper Middle School from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.“