Esports 4/8/2026 8:57:00 AM

Blinn wraps up Super Smash Bros. regular season, eyes NJCAAe playoffs

James Rinehart and Gage Cole were in action for the Buccaneers

Esports 4/8/2026 8:57:00 AM

Blinn wraps up Super Smash Bros. regular season, eyes NJCAAe playoffs

James Rinehart and Gage Cole were in action for the Buccaneers

The Blinn College esports Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team dropped a pair of NJCAA Esports (NJCAAe) matches Tuesday to conclude its regular-season slate.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a crossover fighting game in which players aim to knock opponents off the stage by increasing their damage percentage, making them more vulnerable to launch. In singles play, competitors battle with a set number of lives, or "stocks," and the match is won by reducing the opponent's stocks to zero. Series are commonly played in best-of-three or best-of-five formats.

Blinn's James Rinehart was edged 3-2 by Northcentral Technical College in a tightly contested matchup. Rinehart battled against Dark Samus in a set that was closer than the final score indicated, with both players trading control throughout and pushing each game to its final moments. Despite the loss, the performance showcased Rinehart's patience and ability to remain competitive in slower, zoning-heavy matchups. He moved to 8-7 in NJCAAe Central Group 1 play.

Gage Cole fell 3-1 to Donnelly College in a competitive and at times frustrating set. After opening against Bayonetta, Cole was forced to adjust when his opponent switched to Zelda, creating a challenging matchup centered on constant zoning and pressure. Despite the difficulty, Cole adapted well, slowing the pace and searching for cleaner openings while relying on reads and his punish game to stay within striking distance. He ultimately came up short in the closing moments and moved to 11-4 in Central Group 1.

"Overall, both matches highlighted the importance of adaptation and mental composure," Blinn assistant coach and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate coach Patrick Daley said. "Even in frustrating or unfamiliar situations, the team continues to show the ability to stay competitive and find ways to adjust mid set. We're excited to begin playoffs next week as we push for an NJCAAe title."

The Buccaneers will next compete in the NJCAAe Super Smash Bros. Ultimate playoffs. Matchups, dates, and times have yet to be determined.

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Players Mentioned

Gage Cole: Sophomore; Super Smash Bros Ultimate

James Rinehart: Freshman; Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Players Mentioned

Gage Cole
: Sophomore; Super Smash Bros Ultimate

James Rinehart
: Freshman; Super Smash Bros Ultimate