The Quizbowl Resource Center

by **thebigbossandy** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:35 am

Hi:

The Brainstormers of Half Hollow Hills West, on Long Island, New York, are hosting our 18th annual academic tournament. This year it will be an NAQT tournament on Saturday, January 7, 2012. This is one of the largest academic quiz bowl tournaments in the North-East. Usually around 75 to 80 teams attend each year. This tournament will be using packet 112A. Trophies will be awarded to the top 32 teams.

NEW PLAYOFF FORMAT: We have changed the playoff format this year. Instead of straight single elimination for the top 32 teams, we will have single elimination for the top 32 until there are eight teams remaining. These eight teams will then compete in a two-bracket round robin, with the top two teams in each bracket going on to the semi-finals. The winner of each semi-final round will then compete in the final round.

Costs are as follows:
1st Team: $90
Additional Teams: $80 each
Buzzers: -$10 each

Registration is from 8:00 to 8:30 and we expect to end by 7:00.

Please e-mail the team at hswquizbowl@gmail.com to tell us if you can come and if so, how many teams and buzzers. We have already mailed registration packets. However, these registration packets had the packet number listed as 111. WE WILL BE USING PACKET 112A. If you do not know if you are on our mailing list and would like a packet, please email us at the above address.

Thanks,
George Margulies

This is the field update as of January 4, 2012 at 10:03 PM.

Registered: 102
Ardsley (2)
Bergen (2)
Bishop McDevitt (1)
Bloomfield (3)
Deer Park (2)
Edison (1)
E.O. Smith (1)
Georgetown Day (2)
Great Neck North (1)
Great Neck South (6)
Half Hollow Hills East (2)
Harborfields (2)
Horace Greeley (1)
Hunter (2)
Irvington (3)
Kellenberg (3)
Kings Park (3)
Lenape Valley (3)
Livingston (3)
Mansfield (1)
Mattituck (2)
Mineola (2)
Morristown-Beard (1)
Mountain Lakes (1)
North Babylon (3)
North Shore (2)
Our Lady of Mercy (1)
Phillipsburg (1)
Plainedge (3)
Port Jefferson (2)
Ranney (1)
Ridgewood (4)
Roslyn (1)
Saint Anthony's (4)
Saint Joseph's (3)
Saint Peter's (2)
Scarsdale (1)
Seton Hall (2)
State College (2)
Team Tribeca (3)
Valley Stream South (5)
Ward Melville (3)
Wheatley (3)
White Plains (4)
Woodlands (2)

Waiting List:
Plainview (1)
Farmingdale (1)
Morristown-Beard (+1)

by **bt_green_warbler** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:30 pm

thebigbossandy wrote:This tournament will be using packet 113.

Just a note that IS #113 is not available for this tournament (its first use is scheduled for the weekend of January 21st). Please contact us (hosting (at) naqt.com) and we will figure out which set will work best for your field.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:11 pm

thebigbossandy wrote:Hi:

NEW PLAYOFF FORMAT: We have changed the playoff format this year. Instead of straight single elimination for the top 32 teams, we will have single elimination for the top 32 until there are eight teams remaining. These eight teams will then compete in a two-bracket round robin, with the top two teams in each bracket going on to the semi-finals. The winner of each semi-final round will then compete in the final round.

This sounds great - just one question - what's the planned schedule, especially for the playoffs? This tournament is always lots of fun, but often runs late, even with straight single-elim playoffs. I'm happy to help with organization & reading, btw on the day of the tournament. And Ridgewood will be there with 4 teams.

by **Edward Powers** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:21 pm

Any clarification of the Set that will be used here, since both 111 and 113 seem to be unavailable?

by **bt_green_warbler** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:25 pm

We haven't confirmed a set yet. The likely possibilities are IS #111 and IS #112A.

by **Edward Powers** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:39 pm

I assumed that the use of 111 would infringe on Millburn's exclusive rights to use 111 in March. Since HHH West is only about 50-60 miles away from Millburn, isn't this the case? Of course, if I am incorrect here, I apologize for seeming to interfere, for that is not my intention. I just hope this can be worked out so that there are TWO tournaments available for teams in the region instead of merely one due to what seems to be an avoidable set conflict within the very same region.

by **bt_green_warbler** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:45 pm

Edward Powers wrote:I assumed that the use of 111 would infringe on Millburn's exclusive rights to use 111 in March.

It doesn't (because of the state line). It would, however, reduce HHH West's likely field to just Long Island teams, which they will probably wish to avoid.

by **Nun's puffs** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:22 pm

Well, also Westchester, but the point still stands.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:34 am

Who's using 112a at the moment in the NYC area?

by **bt_green_warbler** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:36 am

nationalhistorybeeandbowl wrote:Who's using 112a at the moment in the NYC area?

I don't believe anyone has claimed 112A around NYC. (According to our files, the closest is the Albany Masterminds league.)

by **Nun's puffs** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:39 am

FaCT used 110A, and Kings Park is planning on using 114A, so it appears the answer is no one. It sounds like Hills West is intent on using an IS set though.

by **thebigbossandy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:35 am

We are either going to use Packet 111 or 112A. Our decision will be posted by Monday. It would be greatly appreciated if each team would let us know whether they would attend if we used 111 or 112A. Thanks so much.

by **The Predictable Consequences** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:50 am

Ardsley would be more likely to attend (and with multiple teams) if Packet 112A were used.

by **Nun's puffs** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:47 am

I imagine throwing a large part of your potential audience (that is, New Jersey) into a set conflict would hurt attendance at your tournament (not to mention Millburn's), so I'd go with 112A.

by **RyuAqua** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:10 am

Furthermore, if teams from the New York area are attending MITBAT as they have in past years (and they ought to!), 111 is an even worse idea. 112-A seems to be emerging as the best option.

by **BroNi** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:18 pm

Kellenberg votes for set 112A.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:20 pm

Ridgewood votes strongly for 112a. Aside from it just being more appropriate for a tournament that attracts a lot of NJ schools who would like to play at Millburn (including us), it's also shorter - and anything shorter at this tournament is a good thing, so it doesn't end really late, and will be more fun for the many teams that almost always show up here and very rarely to anything else on Long Island (hopefully, they'll come to our NHBB tourney, though!). Also, I strongly recommend HHH to have a look at this thread: http://hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12443&p=230900#p230900 and consider adopting the Chatham approach (or something close to it).
I think this tournament should have 3 divisions, imho. Elite, standard, and JV (I'd include 6-10th graders in that). Also, if you have a JV division, you might appeal to some middle schoolers. In that instance, Ben Franklin and possibly George Washington from Ridgewood might be interested in coming too. It's too early to have a separate middle school division, but you could include middle schools in JV and possibly get a few (including at least BF, your own district and Brother Fox, I'd think).

by **jonpin** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:41 pm

Bergen will attend with 1 or 2 teams if and only if you are using 112A.

by **The Predictable Consequences** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:30 pm

I received confirmation today that 112A will be used.

by **thebigbossandy** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:21 pm

We will be using packet 112A.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:29 am

Can we get a list of registered / interested teams?

by **Edward Powers** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:14 am

Ditto!

by **rpirrie** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:27 pm

Hello--a list of teams would be nice. Thanks.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:13 am

Any limit on the buzzer discount? I could bring 20 if needed. Please let me know asap.

by **thebigbossandy** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:04 pm

nationalhistorybeeandbowl wrote:Any limit on the buzzer discount? I could bring 20 if needed. Please let me know asap.

Sorry for the late response. 20 buzzers would be great.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:00 am

20 buzzers it is! I'm giving them all names of historical conquerors to keep track of. Is this clever or disturbing? How else can I help out? I want to help this tournament run as logistically smoothly as possible.

by **thebigbossandy** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:11 am

I think it is a great idea. Maybe we should tell everyone to name their buzzers before they arrive. Sounds like a much easier way of keeping track of them.

by **JGargiulo** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:41 pm

Kings Park would like to bring one extra team making it three (3) teams in total. Thanks and can't wait to see you all January 7th!

by **Scaled Flowerpiercer** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 12:50 am

I think our coach will be getting back to you soon, but Irvington is interested in signing up a third team, changing the (2) to a (3).

by **The Predictable Consequences** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:55 pm

This looks to be a small, intimate gathering.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:14 am

My 20 buzzer systems, NHBB propaganda, and awesome chair and desk rearranging skills can all come at 3pm Friday after school to help out should you want them / need them.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:16 am

Also, has this tournament ever hit 100 before? For that matter, has any qb tournament ever in the Northeast?

by **Nun's puffs** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:03 am

There were 90 teams a couple years back, and I think that's the highest it's ever been.
Funny, I still think Long Island's underrepresented here.

by **thebigbossandy** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:50 pm

Here's hoping for 100!

by **SHP Pirate** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:26 pm

Inching ever closer to 100! SHP will have 2 teams, 2 buzzers, and at least one mod. I will get final numbers on Tues. AM when we return to school. I may be able to grab a 3rd team and up to 2 more experienced moderators.

by **ProfessorIanDuncan** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:35 am

While i think it would be awesome to have at least 100 teams at this tournament, 96 would be a really good number of teams as there would be 16 groups of 6 and the top two (or four if you add an extra round) in each group would make playoffs.

by **BroNi** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:18 pm

HHHW history
2011: 65 teams, 27 schools
2010: 90 tm, 38 sch
2009: 56 tm, 24 sch
2008: 88 tm, 40 sch
2007: 90 tm, 38 sch
2006: 78 tm, 38 sch
2005: 68 tm, 31 sch
2004: 80 tm, 40 sch
2003: 100 tm, 45 sch
2002: 80 tm, 33 sch
etc.....

by **Nun's puffs** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:18 pm

Heh. By the way, would you mind filling in this article with the stats you have?
http://www.qbwiki.com/wiki/HHHW_Invitational

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:24 pm

BroNi wrote:HHHW history
2011: 65 teams, 27 schools
2010: 90 tm, 38 sch
2009: 56 tm, 24 sch
2008: 88 tm, 40 sch
2007: 90 tm, 38 sch
2006: 78 tm, 38 sch
2005: 68 tm, 31 sch
2004: 80 tm, 40 sch
2003: 100 tm, 45 sch
2002: 80 tm, 33 sch
etc.....

1998 was 57 teams. Remember it like it was yesterday. We had two epic wins against Millburn B and Millburn A in succession in the quarters and semis before getting smacked by State College in the finals. I think we finished at 11pm that year, but still, one of the most enjoyable days of my life. I hope that doesn't sound too pathetic. Also, I wonder how many of those "down years" were caused by snowstorms.

by **Nun's puffs** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:36 pm

2009 was caused by a blizzard. I know that because our team (which would have already been a scab team on its original date) couldn't go due to it being rescheduled to our midterm week.

by **WSchneider** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:35 pm

Congratulations to Half Hollow Hills West for hosting the largest tournament in the history of New York Quizbowl :party:

by **jonpin** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:50 am

Worth noting, if we get to 107 teams, then 15% is greater than 16. By NAQT's qualification metric, all teams "tied for 17th" (i.e. all 32 playoff teams) would get HSNCT bids.

I find it likely that this is not that, but does anyone know what the record is for largest non-HSNCT tournament is?

by **Sulawesi Myzomela** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:40 am

jonpin wrote:Worth noting, if we get to 107 teams, then 15% is greater than 16. By NAQT's qualification metric, all teams "tied for 17th" (i.e. all 32 playoff teams) would get HSNCT bids.

I find it likely that this is not that, but does anyone know what the record is for largest non-HSNCT tournament is?

I don't know if this is the record, but Brookwood in Georgia had 168 teams in 2000.

by **WSchneider** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:49 am

jonpin wrote:Worth noting, if we get to 107 teams, then 15% is greater than 16. By NAQT's qualification metric, all teams "tied for 17th" (i.e. all 32 playoff teams) would get HSNCT bids.

I find it likely that this is not that, but does anyone know what the record is for largest non-HSNCT tournament is?

IIRC a conversation with Alan Blayne, the field was capped by the school administration at 100, and pushing to the fair-er 102 margin was a headache itself

by **Scaled Flowerpiercer** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:52 pm

WSchneider wrote:
jonpin wrote:Worth noting, if we get to 107 teams, then 15% is greater than 16. By NAQT's qualification metric, all teams "tied for 17th" (i.e. all 32 playoff teams) would get HSNCT bids.

I find it likely that this is not that, but does anyone know what the record is for largest non-HSNCT tournament is?

IIRC a conversation with Alan Blayne, the field was capped by the school administration at 100, and pushing to the fair-er 102 margin was a headache itself

It's kind of weirs thinking that a tournament of this size still had a field cap, but this sounds rather unfortunate, especially with those three teams on the waiting list that probably won't be able to attend.

by **jonpin** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:38 pm

WSchneider wrote:
jonpin wrote:Worth noting, if we get to 107 teams, then 15% is greater than 16. By NAQT's qualification metric, all teams "tied for 17th" (i.e. all 32 playoff teams) would get HSNCT bids.

I find it likely that this is not that, but does anyone know what the record is for largest non-HSNCT tournament is?

IIRC a conversation with Alan Blayne, the field was capped by the school administration at 100, and pushing to the fair-er 102 margin was a headache itself

I can completely understand that. I'm hopeful that the competition will be able to run smoothly. I guess it will be 17 groups of 6, with two second-place teams on the short end of the stick?

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:55 pm

Ridgewood can (and indeed, it would be easier for us) to go three. We can do 4 if really needed, but 3 would be easier, so that might allow someone else to get a spot.

by **Standard-winged Nightjar** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:59 pm

Actually, hang on, I'll email you privately - we can still do 4. -D.

by **Nun's puffs** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:43 pm

I am back from moderating. The tournament was going remarkably smoothly for a 101-team tournament (plus one Team USA to round out the brackets), with the first 5 rounds done by 2 PM. Perhaps it will be of interest to note that computational math toss-ups were crossed out; computational math bonuses were left in.
The eight teams remaining when I left were:
(1) Ardsley A
(2) Saint Joe's A
(3) White Plains A
(4) Georgetown Day School B
(5) State College A
(6) Bergen A
(7) Georgetown Day School A
and... (9) Great Neck South A! Upset!

How the brackets were arranged I do not know.

by **Francis the Talking France** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:55 pm

Production of Watchmen wrote:I am back from moderating. The tournament was going remarkably smoothly for a 101-team tournament (plus a house team to round out the brackets), with the first 5 rounds done by 2 PM. Perhaps it will be of interest to note that computational math toss-ups were crossed out; computational math bonuses were left in.
The eight teams remaining when I left were:
(1) Ardsley A
(2) Saint Joe's A
(3) White Plains A
(4) Georgetown Day School B
(5) State College A
(6) Bergen A
(7) Georgetown Day School A
and... (9) Great Neck South A! Upset!

How the brackets were arranged I do not know.

No Hunter at all?
Edit: Actually never mind. I think someone said that Hunter would be sending their C and D teams for this, so I guess that is plausible.

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