The Paddle Palace Minor League wrapped up its most competitive and entertaining season yet, filled with thrilling golden games, breakthrough performances, and unforgettable camaraderie. From buzzer-beater finishes to weekly Jeopardy nights, this was more than just a league—it was a full-fledged table tennis community.
“This league proved that competitive table tennis can also be incredibly fun. We had drama, great rallies, and above all, respect between every player.” – Christian Lillieroos
Champions: Squatch Smashers
The Squatch Smashers powered through the playoffs and capped their season with a dominant 17–8 win over the Storm Strikers in the championship final. With clutch performances from David Stout, Michael Groom, and Reza Hantehzadeh, the Smashers showed why they were the most consistent force all season long. Team Members Brian Yoder and Chase Melby played critical roles through the season.
Quote from League Champion Squatch Smashers (Farm Club of Texas Smash) Captain David Stout
“Winning the first season of the MiLTT was truly a team effort, especially when playing the golden games. When I was selecting players during the draft, I tried to select a variety of playing styles that I thought would provide a good mix and make us competitive. I really felt like being part of a team was what made playing in the MiLTT so much fun. There were so many nerve-racking moments during the golden games that really added to the excitement. I was proud of my teammates for the way they responded to each challenge, and I think overall the league was a great experience for all.”
Final Team Standings
- 1st – Squatch Smashers (def. Storm Strikers 17–8)
- 2nd – Storm Strikers
- 3rd – Tigard Tigers (def. Laughing Dragons 15–10)
- 4th – Laughing Dragons
- 5th – Timber Choppers (def. PDX Minutemen 16–9)
- 6th – PDX Minutemen
Individual Awards
- MVP: Michael Groom – 74 total points, 19–5 singles, 39 golden game wins
- MVC: Sean O’Neill – Inspirational leadership and strategic play as captain of PDX Minutemen
Top 5 Players of the Season
| Player | Team | Singles | Doubles | Golden Games | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Stout | Squatch Smashers | 17–7 | 18–9 | 39–26 | 74 |
| Michael Groom | Squatch Smashers | 19–5 | 16–5 | 39–26 | 74 |
| Dattha Reddy | Storm Strikers | 13–11 | 14–10 | 38–24 | 65 |
| Ryan Gibson | Tigard Tigers | 14–10 | 10–10 | 33–35 | 64 |
| Nate Wilkinson | Tigard Tigers | 15–9 | 15–9 | 32–35 | 62 |
Community Highlights
- Awards Dinner & Team Jeopardy: Post-match Trivia Game created by Storm Striker Captain, Kyle Yan provide the perfect touch for laughs and MiLTT community building. Congrats to the Tigard Tigers!
Looking Ahead to Season 2
Open Serve Doubles was tested in the 5th place playoff and both teams loved it. Each side swept one match 3–0 using the format. Player feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the rule is likely to be considered for Season 2.
“It opened up the game and made it way more exciting. We hope this becomes the standard going forward.” – Sarit Roy, PDX Minutemen
Final Word from Christian Lillieroos
“This league brought together beginners, Olympians, and everything in between. Every match was a celebration of table tennis, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Thank you to all the players, fans, captains, and organizers. Season 2 is just around the corner. Are you ready?
The PDX Minutemen started strong in both Season #1 and in Team Jeopardy, but couldn’t hold the lead against a worthy set of competitors!
