Teens Gather For Regional Dodgeball Tournament In El Cerrito

EL CERRITO, CA — Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Lee hurled a yellow ball at a teenager on the opposing team in a dodgeball game in El Cerrito, hitting him square in the chest. "Score!"

It was a no-holds-barred contest in the day-long Police Explorer dodgeball tournament at El Cerrito's Korematsu Middle School held Saturday by El Cerrito Police Department Explorer Post 0705.

Lee's team, a group of Police Explorers with the South Sacramento California Highway Patrol, took part along with Explorers from law enforcement entities including Fairfield, Benicia, Los Gatos, Union City and San Ramon.

Crouched ferociously at their side of the court, the team sprinted forward at the sound of the bell, grabbing at the six balls set up in the center of the court. Each team then lobbed the balls they'd grabbed at the opposing players.

Twenty Northern California Explorer teams competed in what was likely the first such event in Northern California, organizers said.

The Police Explorer program is a career-oriented program that gives young adults the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement by working with local law enforcement agencies.

"It's a good way to bring youth in the community together to work on team building skills and social skills," said Officer Edward Perales of the El Cerrito Police Department. Perales, a four-year veteran of the force, was a Police Explorer himself.

It's also a lot of fun. "I hit the second-to-last player out," said Joanna Portillo, 16, a Richmond teen and member of the El Cerrito Police Department Explorers program along with her twin sister Julianna.

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— Bay City News; Photo: Twins Joanna (left) and Julianna Portillo, 16, of Richmond, competed in the day-long dodgeball tournament attended by Police Explorers from 20 police departments from all over Northern California held by El Cerrito Police Department Explorer Post 0705 at El Cerrito's Korematsu Middle School, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018.