LEXINGTON — The Shelby County High School esports team has officially become a dynasty, capturing its third consecutive state championship after a thrilling showdown with longtime rival Belfry.
Led by head coach Scott Ricke, the team overcame its toughest challenge yet, edging out Belfry in a tightly contested final that came down to the last set of six races.
“It meant a lot,” Ricke said. “Because in the final, we faced off against a Belfry team that has been tough against us for the past three years. It’s a group of all seniors now, and they gave us the toughest fight we’ve had in quite a while. The finals were really exciting… too exciting for my taste.”
The teams split the first two sets before Shelby County pulled ahead in the final round. Ricke said two key moments came in the third and fifth races of the last set, particularly during a near sweep on Rainbow Road SNES.
“We nearly swept them by getting the first four spots in that race,” Ricke said. “It gave us a commanding lead in points early on.”
Despite the team’s youth — made up of a junior, two sophomores, and an eighth grader — Shelby County relied on its chemistry and experience to power through the season. Ricke said the team has matured greatly since winning its first title.
“They’ve had to do a lot of growing up and maturing since that first state title,” he said. “Every time one undergoes some form of adversity, it’s an opportunity for growth. And I feel like we’ve really taken each setback and used it as motivation.”
Entering the season as back-to-back champions added pressure and made Shelby County a clear target for other programs.
“Everybody knew we were the team to beat,” Ricke said. “Belfry had a strategy designed to beat us, and at first, it was working. I credit my guys for bouncing back and making in-game adjustments.”
Tournament experience was also a major advantage. Two of the team’s players have now competed in six consecutive state finals, while the other two have multiple appearances as well.
“State-level competition is unlike anything any gamer regularly faces,” Ricke said. “It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it can throw people off. Our experience helps us stay locked in.”
One standout performance came from Malachi Welch, who played a key role in the deciding third set.
“When he’s comfortable, he’s one of the best in the country,” Ricke said. “His quiet leadership really helped this team.”
Even with all the success, Ricke said practices remain lighthearted and fun.
“We are goofy, loud, and generally silly during our practices,” he said. “I try not to let our program take itself too seriously because in the end, it’s just a game — a way to reach the kids and help them grow.”
Shelby County now shifts its focus to the PlayVs Cup, a national tournament featuring state and regional champions from across the country.
“It’s always tough to tell how well you’ll fare nationally,” Ricke said. “But I think it would be a real accomplishment if we could win two or three matches at that level.”
Looking ahead, Ricke hopes to expand the program and increase student involvement.
“I’d love to do in-person matches in our auditorium and sell tickets,” he said. “We’re running into a little pushback on that, but my goal is to get more kids involved and expand into more games.”
He also offered advice for younger students who are interested in competitive gaming.
“Most gamer kids are some of the most welcoming people you’ll find,” Ricke said. “They just want to be friends, laugh, and talk about their favorite games. I like to think this is the golden age of esports — kind of like how basketball probably started, just kids who love the game looking to play with others who do too.”
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