The extramural dodgeball team is looking to end their season on a high note on January 23. After two third place finishes to start the season, it’s going to take all they’ve got to finally break through with a place in the finals and a gold medal around their necks.

In the team’s first tournament at Humber Lakeshore back in October, they continued where they left off last year, earning the quad another third place finish. The tournament was definitely an opportunity missed, as they finished the round robin with an undefeated record before losing in the semifinals.

In their second tournament at Redeemer two weeks later, once again the co-ed team left with a third place finish. They once again had a strong round robin showing, winning three of the four games, but lost again in the semis to Humber North.

“I think we’re going to have to pick up our strategies we’ve been practicing in practice as well as being smart while in play,” Co-captain Tim Miller says. “It doesn’t just take a good arm to play dodgeball competitively. It takes strategy and being able to always have a smart plan and execution.”

It takes a strong core team to at least be consistent enough to always make semifinal appearances in tournament after tournament like the dodgeball team has the past two seasons. But the team craves winning, especially Miller, as this will be his last tournament, both on the team and as team captain. “We’ve been practicing very hard all year and have been striving for first place. The upcoming tournament is my last, so I’m looking to go all the way.”

Miller knows the team is ready to go and has got what it takes. The only thing that has separated them all season has been a few unfortunate losses at inopportune times. But the good teams overcome those. And those good teams that have given them the most trouble that they need to dominate are Humber Lakeshore and Humber North if they want a chance at the title on Thursday. “Both [Humber Lakeshore and Humber North] have very good players, as well as coaches,” Miller says. “They tend to have a higher turnout for their program which gives them strong players.” But the Golden Hawks cannot take George Brown lightly, who will have home court advantage.

And whether they win or not, Miller is looking forward to the team hosting their second annual Stand-Up Comedy Show, which doesn’t have a date set yet, but will take place sometime after the season. Last year the team made over $500, bringing in Yuk Yuks comedians Patrick Haye and Arthur Simeon.