PORTSMOUTH — Twenty-four teams armed with rubber balls, creative names and a will to win took to the hardcourt Friday night to see who would be crowned the winner of the second annual Project Purple Dodgeball Tournament.

When the dust settled in the high school gym, one team came out of the contest unscathed: Five Shades of Grey, a student team made up of Cam Casciano, Mike Chisolm, Andrew French, Dab Gabriel and Jackson Levine.

They went undefeated, taking down an all-Little Compton student team, Benedictions, in the final.

Among the also-rans were Human Targets, Gong Show, King of Excuses, Leaders of the Pack and other creatively named squads. The police department sent two teams: Even Firefighters Need Heroes — a friendly dig at their colleagues next door — and Doughnut Dodgers.

Players competed for bragging rights and a good cause, as the event was a benefit for prevention efforts and the culmination of Project Purple Week. Initiated by Portsmouth’s own Chris Herren of the nonprofit Herren Project, Project Purple Week’s goal was to raise awareness about substance abuse prevention and it featured a variety of activities at every grade level in town.

“I think the week went very well,” said Ray Davis, coordinator of the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition. “The displays all through town, the conversations — that’s really the main thing; it got people talking about substance abuse issues. It brings attention to it, and that’s a good thing. I think every year it’s gotten bigger and bigger, and it’s nice to see.”

Mr. Davis slung some rubber balls himself as a member of the Prevention Coalition team. In one match, he found himself alone and staring down five Gong Show players before being eliminated.

“I was the last man standing for the Prevention Coalition and unfortunately we went down to defeat. But it was for a good cause and nobody got hurt,” he said.

Students vs. superintendent

Another adult player was Superintendent of Schools Ana Riley, a member of the Central Office team. Ms. Riley said that before the tournament began, several students seemed anxious about competing against her and other administrators and teachers.

“They were so nervous,” said Ms. Riley, who was introduced to a few student players along with a reminder that the superintendent is the person who hands them their diploma at graduation.

“Or not,” Ms. Riley said she jokingly interjected.

So did students take it easy on her?

Ms. Riley frowned and shook her head.

“Nope!”

View more Tim Marshall photos from the tournament below.