meet pop it like it's hot

By Bryce Smith
Events, Virtual League
Jan 20, 2026

Share This Blog

By Bryce Smith
Events, Virtual League
Jan 20, 2026

Share This Blog

team profile: pop it like it's hot

Team Members: PKOW, KENJITROYER, BHSU19, HOSFORD41

 

Location: Berkeley Heights, NJ
 

Year Founded: 2026

 

Team Song: Regulate by Warren G, Nate Dogg

We recently caught up with Michael Pashkow, captain of Pop It Like It’s Hot, as his team prepares for its first season in the Pop-A-Shot Virtual League

Pashkow enters Season 2 with plenty of momentum, coming off a runner-up finish at the 2025 Pop-A-Shot National Championship. With a new team, a new season, and championship experience to lean on, Pop It Like It’s Hot is aiming to make an immediate impact in the Virtual League.

What follows is a mostly accurate transcript, edited for clarity, brevity, and journalistic integrity.

Team Lineup

Pop It Like It's Hot

q&a with the captain of pop it like it's hot

Pop-A-Shot: Thanks so much for making the time Michael. Let's start with a little background on the team. What's the origin story? 

 

Pashkow: We are a bunch of dads who live within walking distance to one another and have nothing better to do. 

 

Pop-A-Shot: Well if that's not a 5 star endorsement I don't know what is. We've heard there was a try-out?

 

Pashkow: Correct. I had to see what everyone was made of and who could stand up to the pressure. I landed on a couple of the better players who all lived within a few blocks of me. 

 

Pop-A-Shot: We were surprised to see that the player ICECREAM didn't make the team. They've been putting up some solid scores on your leaderboard.

 

Pashkow: Unfortunately ICECREAM's bedtime was before the rest of the team was available and she won't be old enough to drink a beer with us for another 13 years.  

Michael Pashkow / Captain

Pop It Like It's Hot

Pop-A-Shot: Man that legal drinking age always seems to throw a monkey wrench into things doesn't it?  Moving on, where's the team playing home games this season?

 

Pashkow:  My basement.  After coming so close in last year's National Championship, I went all out and bought myself the Pop-A-Shot Elite. It's a kids playroom that I wish was a grown up arcade.

  

Pop-A-Shot:  That sounds amazing. The next question was who on the team takes Pop-A-Shot the most seriously but I think you just answered it.  Thanks so much for your time Michael, good luck this season!

entering the season fired up

With a championship pedigree, a basement-turned–home court, and a roster built from equal parts proximity and competitive instinct, Pop It Like It’s Hot enters its first Pop-A-Shot Virtual League season with momentum and personality. 

Pashkow’s near-miss at the 2025 Pop-A-Shot National Championship clearly left an impression—and the Elite game downstairs makes it clear this team isn’t treating Season 2 as a warm-up. 

If early preparation and neighborhood chemistry count for anything, Pop It Like It’s Hot is well positioned to make some noise in the Pop-A-Shot Virtual League.

Other Reads You May Enjoy

Games

Curious how the Pop-A-Shot Elite Arcade Game compares to home models? This guide breaks down rim heights, ramp depths, and game styles across our Elite, Pro Series, Home Series, and portable games so you know exactly what you're shooting on.

Read More
Title
By Bryce Smith
Jun 06, 2025
Championship, Events

The 2025 Pop-A-Shot National Championship brought epic matchups, underdog stories, and record-breaking moments in Orlando. Here's everything that went down on the road to crowning a new champion.

Read More
Title
By Bryce Smith
Aug 06, 2025
Games

Parenting in today’s world comes with its fair share of challenges. From screen time battles to finding activities that are both fun and productive for them and you, it can feel like an uphill climb. Maybe you’re tired of hearing “I’m bored” for the hundredth time, or perhaps you’re struggling to find something that can hold their attention long enough to give you a moment’s peace. Whatever the case, every parent knows that keeping kids entertained while also encouraging positive growth isn’t always easy.

Read More
Title
By Bryce Smith
Sep 30, 2024
Championship, Events

The 2025 Pop-A-Shot National Championship brought epic matchups, underdog stories, and record-breaking moments in Orlando. Here's everything that went down on the road to crowning a new champion.

Read More
Title
By Bryce Smith
Aug 06, 2025
Games

Curious how the Pop-A-Shot Elite Arcade Game compares to home models? This guide breaks down rim heights, ramp depths, and game styles across our Elite, Pro Series, Home Series, and portable games so you know exactly what you're shooting on.

Read More
Title
By Bryce Smith
Jun 06, 2025
Games

Parenting in today’s world comes with its fair share of challenges. From screen time battles to finding activities that are both fun and productive for them and you, it can feel like an uphill climb. Maybe you’re tired of hearing “I’m bored” for the hundredth time, or perhaps you’re struggling to find something that can hold their attention long enough to give you a moment’s peace. Whatever the case, every parent knows that keeping kids entertained while also encouraging positive growth isn’t always easy.

Read More
Title
By Bryce Smith
Sep 30, 2024