Seton Hall Prep Pirate Open (September 25, 2010)

[SHP Pirate]

Seton Hall Preparatory School will be hosting an NAQT tournament on Saturday, September 25 in West Orange, NJ. Having spoken with Chad at HSNCT, we will most likely be using an "A" set. (Perhaps teams might use this tournament as a "warm-up" for next season?) The tournament has an initial cap of 24 teams but, as interest and moderators become available, the cap should rise. Full details, such as cost structure (cheap!), schedule, format, etc., will be posted in the next week or two. If interested, please contact Michael T. Zinsmeister at [email protected].

[WSchneider]

I'll see if I can rouse interest in Kings Park for an early A level tournament. Its a little early to tell though, it might be a little too early in the school year for us... I'll bring it up though and see what happens

[Edward Powers]

Mike,

I've tried to register 2 teams, 1 buzzer and 1 moderator for your Pirate Invitational via email, but I keep getting a failure message using the address you've given, so I've decided to post my registration here. I hope this is OK.

EDIT: There is nothing wrong with your posted email address----the error was on my end. Sorry if this created any hesitation for others who wished to register.

[Down and out in Quintana Roo]

Full details, such as cost structure (cheap!), schedule, format, etc., will be posted in the next week or two.

Are you going to do this?

[SHP Pirate]

The tournament is on as scheduled! Below, please find the necessary details.

Date: Saturday, September 25
Address: Seton Hall Preparatory School (120 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052)
Format: NAQT 97A (20 question rounds of T/B, untimed, round-robin prelims with round-robin playoffs)
Cost: $60 first team, $50 each additional team, -$10 for experienced moderator, -$5 for each functioning buzzer system

If anyone needs a more formal registration form, please e-mail me at [email protected]
As the tournament date gets closer, I will contact individual coaches with specific start times and the finalized format.

Please make checks payable to "Seton Hall Preparatory School".

Interested Teams:

Ridgewood
Livingston

Registered Teams:

East Brunswick
St. Joseph's X 2
Bloomfield
Kennedy
Kings Park X 2
Kellenberg X 2-3
Hunter X 2-3
Chatham X 1-2
BCA X 2-3
MAST

[Down and out in Quintana Roo]

Yeah, this is a weekend we could think about. I'll bring it up during our first meeting in a couple days, see if anyone wants to make the drive for an A set. We'll see.

[SHP Pirate]

I would like to offer 10-11 rounds (of the available 12) between the prelim and playoff round robins. My goal for this tournament is to use it as a "warm-up" for the season. Let me know. We are about 2 1/2 hours from your school.

[JFK A-Team]

You can count Kennedy in. I will send you an email. Looking forward to it!

[SHP Pirate]

Bumping this thread up a bit ...

A reminder that September 25 is not that far away! As of right now, we have between 14-18 teams registered. Please remember ... I know that the date is VERY early for this region so do not worry about bringing a check with you. You can send me the check later this fall.

As of right now, I am still planning a round-robin prelim with a re-bracketed round-robin playoff. Final format will depend upon total number of teams registered but I would like to guarantee 9-11 rounds for all teams for the day.

Please see updated interested/registered list above.

- MTZ

[Down and out in Quintana Roo]

If we go to something this date, we're going to have to pick the closer one, and that's at UMCP. So, sorry, we definitely would have tried to come if not for the date conflict. Good luck to you guys.

[SHP Pirate]

No worries. When I saw that UMD had announced, I figured that would be the most logical tournament for you to attend. We will most definitely see you at some point this year. Good luck!

- MTZ

[The Infanta]

Mr. Z, do you need moderators? I'd be happy to help.

[gnshsqb]

Hi,

Great Neck South will likely attend, but we're not sure how many teams we're bringing,
so we were just wondering when the registration deadline is if there is one.

[SHP Pirate]

Marisol ... I would LOVE the help! Send me an e-mail and we will talk. I will post a tournament update later today.

[Edward Powers]

Looking forward to your update, Coach!

[SHP Pirate]

Sunday, September 19Update ...

Moravian 2
Livingston 2-3
Kings Park: 2
Bloomfield: 1
MAST: 1
St. Josephs: 2
Bergen: 2
JF Kennedy: 1
Kellenberg: 2
Hunter: 2
Half Hollow Hills West: 2
White Plains: 2
Chatham: 2
Phillipsburg: 1

Yet to confirm: East Brunswick

Still lots of room but I will need to close registration on Tuesday or Wednesday. If any teams are still interested, please let me know as soon as possible!

[The Infanta]

What's your email address, coach?

[SHP Pirate]

[email protected]

[SHP Pirate]

Great Neck South ... are you still interested? I need to close registration within the next day or two and I need to finalize format. Let me know.

[gnshsqb]

Yes, we're still interested.

Right now, I'm just a student posting (Daniel, in the sig below) and I need to meet with our advisor tomorrow morning to see whether we're bringing 1, 2, or 3 teams.

We will mostly likely bring 1 or 2, though.

Thank you for your patience.

[SHP Pirate]

OK ...

At this point, we have a field of 24 teams. If any of those registered 24 teams see an error or wish to make a correction, please let me know by Tuesday evening. The field of 24 is as follows ...

St. Josephs 2
Hunter 2
White Plains 2
HHHW 2
Bergen County 2
Livingston 2
Chatham 2
Moarvian 2
Kings Park 2
Bloomfield 1
JF Kennedy 1
Phillipsburg 1
Mast 1

Wait List: Great Neck South, Colonia, Ranney, Chatham C
Edited for silly mistakes!

[Edward Powers]

Coach, unless I have miscounted, your field of 24 is actually 26 as listed by you ---11 schools with 2 teams each and then the last 4 with 1 each =26. If you then add the 2 wait-listed teams from Ranney & Colonia, you get the 28 you discuss later.

EDIT: I see the problem: White Plains makes TWO appearances on your list of the current field. Assuming this is an error, it is once again a field of 24 without the wait-listed teams.

EDIT # 2: I now see a duplicate entry for Half Hollow Hills West as well. So, without the wait-listed teams, it seems your field is 22 ( 9 schools with 2 teams, 4 with one, and the two duplicates---White Plains & HHHW---deleted=22) . Seems like you need the wait-listed teams to make 24.

If this is the case, will you play 4 brackets of 6 in the prelims, guaranteeing 5 prelim rounds, then create 3 groups of 8 for the playoff rounds, with no team playing a prelim opponent in the playoff round-robin, for 6 more rounds, guaranteeing everyone 11 matches, with a last match if necessary for a Final? or do you have something else entirely in mind?

[SHP Pirate]

Thanks Ed! It is called "I have a 6-month old!)

- MTZ

[Edward Powers]

I understand completely!!!!!!!!!

[knan]

Sorry for the double post.

[knan]

East Brunswick is still interested and would like to bring 1 team to the tournament. I'm just a student, but was under the impression that we had already registered. I will meet with our advisors tomorrow and let them know; I don't think they check this forum very often. Thank you for your patience.

[SHP Pirate]

Karen,

The last time I heard from your coach, she said " We would like to send a team.". I have not heard from her since. At this point, I need an answer by tomorrow.

[BroNi]

Ya' left us off the Roster.......again.

[SHP Pirate]

Final Field:

Moravian: 1
Kellenberg: 2
Hunter: 2
Chatham: 3
Livingston: 3
North Babylon: 1
White Plains: 2
St. Josephs: 3
BCA: 2
JF Kennedy: 1
Bloomfield: 1
MAST: 1
Kings Park: 2
Ranney: 1
Paramus Catholic: 2
East Brunswick: 1

- MTZ

[BroNi]

One team.

Edit: Two teams. Definitely two teams.....

[SHP Pirate]

As of this morning, we are at 26 or 27 and still waiting for HHHW to confirm or withdraw. IF we have a field of 27, there are two options.

1. Play a 3x9 round robin prelim (8 games each) with top 8 advancing to single elimination. (We can construct some form of consolation rounds for those teams who choose to stay.)

2. Cobble together "Team USA" and play a 4x7 round robin prelim (6 games each) with a four game round robin playoff.

Thoughts/ideas?

- MTZ

[Edward Powers]

A question first: Might not Bergen Academies also be able to bring the 28th team if HHH West cannot? I ask because you have BCA listed as possibly, but not definitively, bringing a 2nd team as well.

But in the event you do stay at 27 teams, I would prefer the "Team USA" option so that we could still have a round robin for the playoffs rather than a single elimination playoff. Of course some might feel differently, but my guess is a majority in attendance would prefer a format that not only promises more guaranteed matches, as a round robin playoff does, but also one which promises more competitive matches as well, since the playoff would inevitably pair teams with comparable records within every bracket of the playoffs. Of course if I am wrong about this then I will accept whatever the majority wants.

Hopefully HHH West or BCA will soon solve this dilemma for you so that the Team USA option will not even be necessary.

[SHP Pirate]

Half Hollow Hills West, despite the Herculean efforts of Alan Blayne, is now out. As of now, we are set at 26. I am waiting to hear if BCA will be bringing a second team or not. If they do not, we will need to create "Team USA" to get to a field of 27. If they DO bring a second team, I would still prefer to create a "Team USA" to get us to 28 and maximize the number of games for everyone.

[jonpin]

A question first: Might not Bergen Academies also be able to bring the 28th team if HHH West cannot? I ask because you have BCA listed as possibly, but not definitively, bringing a 2nd team as well.

But in the event you do stay at 27 teams, I would prefer the "Team USA" option so that we could still have a round robin for the playoffs rather than a single elimination playoff. Of course some might feel differently, but my guess is a majority in attendance would prefer a format that not only promises more guaranteed matches, as a round robin playoff does, but also one which promises more competitive matches as well, since the playoff would inevitably pair teams with comparable records within every bracket of the playoffs. Of course if I am wrong about this then I will accept whatever the majority wants.

Hopefully HHH West or BCA will soon solve this dilemma for you so that the Team USA option will not even be necessary.

I just talked with Michael and said that until we have practice tomorrow, we're on the fence at 5-6 people. Depending on whether you can add another team and whether we have that 6th person or not, we will either have one team and be able to contribute someone to a mixed team if needed, or just have two teams of three.

[SHP Pirate]

Still looking for one team to push us either to 27 or 28. Entry fee will be waived for that last team. If interested, please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

- MTZ

[Edward Powers]

Mike,

I met with a group of my players and I have two who have definitely commited to coming and two more who will let me know by tomorrow, so we will either bring a C team with four players or, alternatively, I can play both my B & C teams with three players each if the last two cannot come. If this is agreeable to you, then either way we will bring a 3rd team and the only current issue is whether it will be a 3 or a 4 man team, which I will know definitively by tomorrow afternoon, if not sooner. So, in sum, I will be bringing at least 10 players and possibly 12, so SJHS will field a C Team no matter what---unless you do not wish to potentially have two three man teams from SJHS. Of course if my last 2 can also come, then this 3 man issue becomes moot. But, either way, what do you think?

[SHP Pirate]

Awesome! I will add St. Joes C to the field. Again, the third team is gratis.

- MTZ

[WSchneider]

So the final field will be 27 teams correct? or is Team USA still happening?

[SHP Pirate]

With the addition of BCA B, we now have a field of 28! We will divide the field into 4 brackets of seven and play a round robin prelim. We will then rebracket into 1-8, 9-16, 17-24, and 25-28. The top three brackets will divide into two groups of four, play a three game round robin, then play a final game for placement. This should guarantee all teams 10 games on the day.

If there are any last minute questions or changes, please e-mail or call me as soon as possible. As soon as all teams arrive on campus, we will be ready to start. Good luck to all teams!

[SHP Pirate]

A final note before tomorrow. Please arrive as early as possible. We will begin preliminary rounds as soon as all teams have arrived. As long as the field remains stable, each team will play 10 rounds tomorrow. Breakfast (Dunkin Donuts and OJ) will be provided. Upon your arrival, each coach will be given a copy of the NAQT rules and directions to local eateries. We will play 5 rounds before lunch, break for lunch, then play the final two rounds. We will need about 10-15 minutes to finalize the playoff brackets and then we will begin playoff rounds. (3 games of round robin followed by a single game for final placement.)

If anyone has any questions or last minute issues, please feel free to post on this board, e-mail me, or call my mobile phone.

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

- MTZ

[SHP Pirate]

Moravian just withdrew at 10:09 PM. I guess that we will have no choice but to play the 3 brackets of 9 round robin with a top 8 single elimination playoff. I apologize to all teams involved but at this late hour, I do not have any other options.

[Down and out in Quintana Roo]

Moravian just withdrew at 10:09 PM. I guess that we will have no choice but to play the 3 brackets of 9 round robin with a top 8 single elimination playoff. I apologize to all teams involved but at this late hour, I do not have any other options.

Wow. How very cool of them.

Good luck running everything tomorrow, Michael.

[SHP Pirate]

Thanks! So much for sleep. The 12 round tournament will be a VERY long day and, with as many new(er) and B/C teams as we have coming, I am not sure that everyone will want to stay the full day. Both Bergen and St. Joe's have stretched themselves to bring extra teams so that we could reach 28 and have a clean round robin. If I drop those two teams and run a 25 team field (5x5 with one bye, then 5x5 again and a final round for place), we still have an 11 game tournament. The only other thing I can do is drop to 26 teams, play a randomly drawn 5 game prelim, then come up with some format for a limited round-robin playoff. Any ideas?

If any schools have enough extra players to field a "Team USA", we can go down that route again to preserve the bracket.

[ChathamNJ]

I have no objections to counting games against the Moravian team as forfeits, especially if your schedule is already set. It sucks to have an extra bye - but perhaps teams in that division could play an exhibition against another division's bye team so everyone gets at least 6 games in the prelims. It would add a bit of competitive imbalance (teams in that bracket would need to be top 2/6 instead of top 2/7, but then again if Moravian had come they'd probably be in that top group so I suppose it helps the teams in that bracket) but if you've already prepared the schedule I say go with it unless there are people for Team USA.

More and more, I see the value of not letting in the last team or 2 on the waiting list until the morning of the tournament. This stuff sadly happens all the time.

[SHP Pirate]

Thanks for the idea Steve. I have both a 27 and a 28 schedule ready to go. Let's see what everybody wants to do tomorrow morning.

[Edward Powers]

Mike,

I agree with Steve---let Moravian forfeit its games & keep the 28 team format.

[SHP Pirate]

After 5 Rounds ... top four from each bracket so far.

Alpha Bracket: Bergen A (5-0 503), MAST (4-0 431.2), Livingston A (3-1 325), Hunter C (3-1 317.5)
Beta Bracket: White Plains A (5-0 359), Team USA (4-0 312.5), East Brunswick (4-1 399), Kings Park A (2-2 288.8)
Gamma Bracket: St. Joe's A (4-0 580), Kellenberg A (4-0 512.5), Hunter B (4-1 513), BCA B (3-2 223)

- MTZ

[SHP Pirate]

Quick results ...

St. Joe's A defeated BCA A in the final. MAST and Hunter B were semi-finalists. Full results will be posted eithe sometime this evening or tomorrow morning.

Thanks to all those teams who played and a big thanks to my staff and students.

- MTZ

[SHP Pirate]

Final results may be found here.

http://results.scobo.net/SQBS.aspx?org= ... =standings

The final eight looked like this ...

BCA d. Team USA (405-110)
Hunter B d. Kellenberg A (385-255)
MAST d. White Plains A (325-220)
St. Joe's A d. East Brunswick (340-335)

BCA d. Hunter B (385-310)
St. Joe's A d. MAST (370-275)

St. Joe's A d. BCA (485-220)

[jonpin]

I'm curious, with their fantastic performance, what schools were the members of Team USA from?