(Myrtle Beach, SC) For the first half of O'Connell's first match, things were not looking good. The team, seemingly fazed by the intensity of the competition, the speed of the other team, and the lights on them were almost shut out in that half by Socastee HS (SC).
Then they answered one question. From there, they built.
With a second half rally, the Knights (Stephen Chanderbhan - Captain, Matt Jones, Robert Svercl, and Matt Wadden) put away the Socastee Braves as the final question, a possible 250 point swing, was inconsequential. So began the Beach Ball Classic for the Knights' academic team, one of 16 in a strong field of local (SC) and national teams from 27 - 30 December 2002 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
The tournament was a Jeopardy style game, full with lighted (and oft malfunctioning) scoreboard, bonus wager questions, and an impressive field. Questions in the first round were worth 10 - 50 points (in increments of 10) and there were 6 categories (American Literature, World Literature, Fine Arts, American History, Science, and General Knowledge). There was one Bonus Value Question. In the second half, the point values were doubled and the categories were World History, Geography, Math, Current Events, Social Sciences (and Philosophy), and Sports and Pop Culture. There were 2 bonus value questions. The person who first buzzed in had to answer without any conferring. After the second half, there was a 5-part question, 25 points up or down for each question. Conferring here was allowed.
After that win, the team took on Myrtle Beach HS. In a tight contest, a crucial turning point came with MBHS leading 500-400 in the second half. The 100 pt. question for Social Sciences was "In the Supreme Court, what is the jurisdiction that allows it to hear cases first, and not on appeal." The Seahawks buzzed in early and were caught taking a risk - it failed. Their answer was "judicial review;" the team lost 100 points. After the question was finished, the Knights buzzed in with the correct answer: "original jurisdiction." A huge 200 point swing that became crucial. After the 2nd Half and the Final Question, the teams remained tied at 560. Overtime was a 2 minute shootout of questions, where the person that buzzed in first was able to answer (the other team couldn't answer after that; no conferring). One point up for a right answer and one point down for a wrong answer. Eventually, after a tense start, the Knights won 5-2 and were on to the Final 4 of the Double Elimination Tournament.
Mrs. Schiavo, the Knights moderator, scouted the next opponent, White Station (TN). In the first half, the Knights took the lead, but they faltered in their usual strong categories of World History and Geography. After the second half, their only hope to beat the Spartans was to answer all the 5-part question right and have them answer them all wrong. It didn't happen - and the Knights lost. It was an evenly played match and one of the best in the tournament, many said. The next game was early in the morning against Seton Hall Prep HS. The Pirates came firing out of the gate, and their quick buzzer play caught the Knights off guard. The game was a blowout in the end, but the Knights got the last laugh with Matt Wadden's classic: "Duff Man can't breathe!"
There was an oratory component to this competition. Each team member had to prepare a 2-3 minute talk on a topic chosen at random by the judges. This was on the 2nd day of the tournament early in the morning. Matt Wadden went first and did well, speaking about placing the Ten Commandments in front of courthouses. Stephen Chanderbhan's topic was the disparity between the pay of pro athletes and the president. Matt Jones spoke of 2nd amendment rights and Robert Svercl spoke on personal freedoms vs. public safety. The Knights garnered an impressive 417 points out of a possible 600 for this.
In the end, Seton Hall finished 2nd to Carolina Forest HS (Myrtle Beach, SC). White Station was 3rd and McQuaid Jesuit was 4th. O'Connell finished an impressive 5th.
During their down time, the team was free to roam around town. They had a great time at Broadway at the Beach, on the beach itself, watching football, and going out on the town. Every day, the team came up with sayings to kind of unnerve themselves.
Stephen: "(trumpet)" "Yes now!" "I've got a fever - and the only cure is more cowbell!"
Matt J.: "WhaBAM" "Huzzah!" "Gadzooks!"
Robert: "What?" "Huh?" "Isn't that weird?"
Matt W. "Rejected!" "Oooh yeah!" "(machine gun)"
There were some lines the team said altogether, such as:
"ROLL TIDE!"
"DUFF MAN CAN'T BREATHE (OH NO!)"
and "40 MILES SOUTH OF HERE"
It was a great time for the team and its moderators (Mr. and Mrs. Schiavo). The basketball team finished 2nd, losing to McQuaid Jesuit in the finals.
FOR PICTURES FROM THE TRIP, CLICK HERE
(Written on 1 January 2003)
1. Carolina Forest - 357 - 1800 - 2157 9. Villa Angela St. Joseph's - 460 - 600 - 1060
2. Seton Hall - 464 - 1600 - 2064 10. Wilson - 423 - 600 - 1023
3. White Station - 517 - 1400 - 1917 11. North Myrtle Beach - 387 - 600 - 987
4. McQuaid Jesuit - 467 - 1200 - 1667 12. St. John Neumann - 337 - 600 - 957
5. BISHOP O'CONNELL - 417 - 1000 - 1417 13. Christ the King - 353 - 400 - 753
6. Scott County - 233 - 1000 - 1233 14. Denham Springs - 320 - 400 - 720
7. Myrtle Beach - 350 - 800 - 1150 15. North Augusta - 300 - 400 - 700
8. Socastee - 340 - 800 - 1140 16. Calhoun County - 243 - 400 - 643