Next Year

[Angry Babies in Love]

-RM: A big wildcard. Despite their captain quitting, and then leaving, there seem to be people at RM who still like quizbowl, especially after the trauma of . Does what remains of the RM team want to rebuild itself and live up to the RMs of earlier this decade?

Thanks for the comment. Answer: yes. We have no one graduating off A-team, so we can only get better. This year was bad with a new coaching staff, a relatively unprepared captain (who did pretty well considering the circumstances surrounding his ascension), and was bleghhh. We'll be better this year. I'll be working hard this summer, and I know that Raj and the rest of the team will be working hard this summer. And be wary of our B-team, we have some young talent. Our goal is to send two teams to NSC. Not NAC, fortunately. RM is rising from the ashes.

[Self-incompatibility in plants]

NOT NAC, fortunately. RM is rising from the ashes.

Excellent news! I'm glad to hear it. I'm looking forward to playing you guys next year.

[Self-incompatibility in plants]

Caesar Rodney: This bunch traveled widely this year, and won a few games against lesser teams after wild-card bids got them into both nationals. Though this year they proved to be decent-to-OK, they're not graduating anyone major and have another year to keep traveling. Trey already puts up impressive PPG - given the comparatively weaker national field and another year of study, he could prove to be the next notable player from Delaware faster than we think.

Thanks, Matt. Hopefully, our summer practices, and my planned binge studying this summer, will pay off. Undoubtedly, we are incredibly excited for next year and already are in anticipation for our first tournament of the new season.

[The King's Flight to the Scots]

Given the rather broad topic title, I'd say we should be considering something else: which team do you think will win the HSAPQ All-Star competition? Virginia has Maggie Walker and whoever TJ comes up with. DC has Matt Jackson, other GDS players, maybe Aidan and me. MD has Isaac, Douglas, Kuo-Kai, whoever RM comes up with. Delaware has Charter and CR, and there's pretty much where my knowledge of geography ends. So far, I'd say that if TJ gets someone good at hard science, VA could be a powerful force.

[master15625]

VA is going to be a powerful force, that is already given with Maggie Walker's team returning next year. And because my geography skills suck, I will also include DC in Virginia, and say that VA is definitely a force.

State College is still there too, so HSAPQ will be interesting.

Does anyone know if Michigan is allowed to do HSAPQ?

[Down and out in Quintana Roo]

Sure, they said it can be from all 50 states and DC, i think, even Canada was mentioned.

EDIT: yep, check it out: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7719

[Self-incompatibility in plants]

I definitely project VA to win. The combined forces of Gov and TJ will be hard to beat (let alone if the team was made only of Gov players).

PA with State College, NY with Hunter (perhaps even some Kellenberg players), DC with Matt and the St. Anselm players, and Md, with the many notable players from various schools there (Doug, Isaac, and Kuo-Kai), will be very competitive too.

Combined, with Charter's deep ranks of good quizbowl players (David Huang in particular), CR, perhaps being represented by myself (I fully intend to compete if I'm able and make the team), and maybe even a Dark Horse player from Mt. Pleasant, DE should not be a push over, but certainly I don't expect us to be competitive against the top states in the nation.

I don't know enough about other states to go into depth about how they might do, but I would suspect states with active quizbowl programs would do well, such as Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, and perhaps even CA.

edit: added a team

[at your pleasure]

And because my geography skills suck, I will also include DC in Virginia, and say that VA is definitely a force.

If DC sends its own team, which I expect it to do, we could see interesting things from the GDS/St. Anslem's hybrid that I would expect. However,it makes more sense to include it in Maryland(which the current territory of DC was originally part of) than it does to include it in Virgina.

[master15625]

I don't know enough about other states to go into depth about how they might do, but I would suspect states with active quizbowl programs would do well, such as Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, and perhaps even CA.
edit: added a team

Michigan also has an active quizbowl program too. Not to be somewhat biased, but Michigan is also not a bad state either. This year was sort of a weird year for Michigan, as only 33 and 1/3 percent of the teams who participated from Michigan made it to the playoffs at HSNCT, that isn't really indicative as like lots of those teams who didn't make it don't really go to lots of tournaments where the best teams from Michigan show up. But next year, Michigan will still be good, and hopefully Michigan can have a good showing at HSAPQ if we participate.

[TheKingInYellow]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

[master15625]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

I agree with that statement completely. Sometimes being stacked isn't always going to help. But I think HSAPQ wants to promote this tournament primarily for diversity in schools as well as quizbowl talent, so the balance might go away.

Of course if your team contains the top 6 players in the state, you are pretty much safe. :)

[dtaylor4]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

I agree with that statement completely. Sometimes being stacked isn't always going to help. But I think HSAPQ wants to promote this tournament primarily for diversity in schools as well as quizbowl talent, so the balance might go away.

Of course if your team contains the top 6 players in the state, you are pretty much safe. :)

This is not even wrong.

For a tournament like this, you do not want the six best players. In my mind, you want a combination of specialists who can lock down 20s and 30s while balancing that against generalists who can clean up the stuff that misses the specialists on tossups.

[Self-incompatibility in plants]

Michigan also has an active quizbowl program too. Not to be somewhat biased, but Michigan is also not a bad state either. This year was sort of a weird year for Michigan, as only 33 and 1/3 percent of the teams who participated from Michigan made it to the playoffs at HSNCT, that isn't really indicative as like lots of those teams who didn't make it don't really go to lots of tournaments where the best teams from Michigan show up. But next year, Michigan will still be good, and hopefully Michigan can have a good showing at HSAPQ if we participate.

Definitly. I only left Michigan out because I know even less about Michigan then I do the other states I mentioned, and that list of states that might do well was not meant to be comprehensive. However, looking at it in more depth now, whatever team DCC and DCD put together will certainly be great.

[Down and out in Quintana Roo]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

I agree with that statement completely. Sometimes being stacked isn't always going to help. But I think HSAPQ wants to promote this tournament primarily for diversity in schools as well as quizbowl talent, so the balance might go away.

Of course if your team contains the top 6 players in the state, you are pretty much safe. :)

This is not even wrong.

For a tournament like this, you do not want the six best players. In my mind, you want a combination of specialists who can lock down 20s and 30s while balancing that against generalists who can clean up the stuff that misses the specialists on tossups.

This is what's going to make choosing these teams so hard, and so contentious. I'm glad i'm in a small state that won't have too many issues... but something like Illinois, Virginia, or Missouri... they're going to have some problems really selecting "specialists" for this.

[Self-incompatibility in plants]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

In general I agree with this. In certain states however, having one school represent the State might not be the best possible thing. Look a State like Maryland, for example. Maryland has a lot of potential as a State, and has many teams that are very good with many notable players (like Whitman, Blake, WJ), but none that are necessarily competitive alone against teams like Gov or SC. With a few individual good players carrying the competitive teams in Maryland (like Doug, Isaac, and Kuo-Kai), and none of those teams being great while separate, I feel that Maryland would be best represented if these forces unite, and truly create the best team possible. Again, the same does not necessarily hold true for all states (PA with SC in particular comes to mind).

[Blackboard Monitor Vimes]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

Since Tito and I are graduating the weekend of this tournament, barring the schedule changing from this year, and odds are very slim that our parents will let us skip, a Gov/TJ mix seems pretty likely for better or for worse if Tommy and/or JR are interested and able to go and TJ people are amenable to playing with them. I do agree that a team used to playing together probably has an advantage, but if an All Star team manages to cover each aspect of the canon, that advantage is slight.

[lagazzaladra]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure TJ will be interested in participating in this (although obviously, I can't say for sure now). Just a prediction, If Sarah and Greg can't play, Tommy and JR would probably be joined by Stephen (Physics, Chem, Geo (ish), History (ish)) and Diana (Lit, myth). If Sarah, Greg, and Tommy can play (I would personally prefer this for next year), they'd probably be joined by Stephen.

[dtaylor4]

This is what's going to make choosing these teams so hard, and so contentious. I'm glad i'm in a small state that won't have too many issues... but something like Illinois, Virginia, or Missouri... they're going to have some problems really selecting "specialists" for this.

When we used to send teams to PAC/NTAE, there was a three-round tryout [note: this is from 2005, it may have changed.]

Round 1: 1v1 for a full game less worksheets, a/v, etc.
Round 2: Free-for-all on a full set
Round 3: Free for all on a set consisting of a specific category [as part of the form one filled out to participate, one chose either Lit/Humanities, Soc. Studies, or Science/Math]

Also part of the form (which had to be turned in well in advance) was a "letter of recommendation" from one's coach.

After trying out, a select committee then sits and deliberates until a team of six is chosen. When I made the team in 2005, I believe the deliberations took the better part of about 6-7 hours.

I think this process could be adapted, but procuring questions could be an issue.

[vcuEvan]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

Since Tito and I are graduating the weekend of this tournament, barring the schedule changing from this year, and odds are very slim that our parents will let us skip, a Gov/TJ mix seems pretty likely for better or for worse if Tommy and/or JR are interested and able to go and TJ people are amenable to playing with them. I do agree that a team used to playing together probably has an advantage, but if an All Star team manages to cover each aspect of the canon, that advantage is slight.

This tournament is on a Saturday. Graduation is on a Friday.

[Blackboard Monitor Vimes]

I honestly think mixing and matching state teams won't help all that much, except in cases almost extreme imbalance, like maybe a very good science player from TJ joining Gov. The natural advantage I think will go to teams that have a pretty good chance of remaining intact, like Hunter or State College, because they can naturally fill in each other's weak spots

Since Tito and I are graduating the weekend of this tournament, barring the schedule changing from this year, and odds are very slim that our parents will let us skip, a Gov/TJ mix seems pretty likely for better or for worse if Tommy and/or JR are interested and able to go and TJ people are amenable to playing with them. I do agree that a team used to playing together probably has an advantage, but if an All Star team manages to cover each aspect of the canon, that advantage is slight.

This tournament is on a Saturday. Graduation is on a Friday.

I know this, Evan, but the issue is getting there. I'm willing to get on a plane after graduation; Tito has told me he isn't.

[master15625]

Well, one can hope that there are some generalists to hopefully alleviate some of these problems based on filling the gaps, because if it is necessary to maintain diversity of schools, then the generalists can help. But I still think that the best people in each state could also have different areas of expertise so it might be okay.

[AlphaQuizBowler]

I would like to think a Georgia team would be competitive if it were put together. We would definitely benefit from mixing different teams; I know there area diversity of specialties among top players here.

[Broad-tailed Grassbird]

VA is going to be a powerful force, that is already given with Maggie Walker's team returning next year. And because my geography skills suck, I will also include DC in Virginia, and say that VA is definitely a force.

State College is still there too, so HSAPQ will be interesting.

Does anyone know if Michigan is allowed to do HSAPQ?

MHSAA doesn't acknowledge the existence of quiz bowl, so yes. And that means anyone can play as long as HSAPQ says so (all-star sports competitions are limited to graduating seniors here, and probably more states). Someone would have to pick the team obviously, but the community of good quiz bowl in Michigan is close-knit enough that it shouldn't be an issue.

[mhawlik]

Hey, how about Florida? I know that Florida is not necessarily a perennial power in quizbowl, but our team did tie for 17th at the HSNCT this year, and had another team (Pensacola) go relatively deep into the playoffs. I know that both my team, Pensacola, and another from Dr. Phillips are all trying to make it to PACE next year, and Pensacola is not losing anyone to graduation next year.

Our team may face a drop in quality with the loss of our captain (stat line at HSNCT: 14/40/11) but I'm confident that other members can pick up the slack and compete at a high level next year. Look out for some dark horses from this state!

[negatron]

BCA is keeping Jay (bio king) and Gabe (US politics). Stephanie Yuen is going to become better, and she already knows more about China then anyone else. Of course we don't stand a chance against those crazy Hunter eighth-graders. I have no idea what Guy has done to them. But I think that as Jay improves, and the other students start working more at it, we are going to still be a regional power. And we have a stable coach this time around.