>> Join us tonight as the playoffs begin with the first seed, Belchertown High School, going up against eighth seed Suffield High School, the historic 64th season of Western New England's award winning high school quiz show continues tonight as schools match wits.

>> The members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association are working together to ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed.

The MTA, a diverse union of education workers committed to the public schools and colleges.

Our communities deserve.

>> You can see the difference from the first couple of minutes that you walk onto this campus.

You realize that it's not just a campus.

It's a community.

It's a family.

>> Good evening and welcome to.

As schools match wits coming to you from the campus of Westfield State University.

I'm your host, Beth Ward.

This season, high schools from throughout our region went head to head to try to score the most points for a chance to make it to the top eight.

Here's a look at the final standings from our qualifying rounds.

But in the playoffs, it is not just about the points anymore, it is about the win.

The qualifying matches are over and the playoffs are about to begin.

In tonight's first quarterfinal matchup, we have Belchertown High School going up against Suffield High School.

Let's meet the teams starting with Suffield High, coached by Christina DeAngelis.

>> Hi.

My name is Shawna and I'm a sophomore at Suffield High School.

>> Hi, I'm Mary Kate Mormino, and I'm a junior from Suffield High School.

>> Hi, I'm Jane Kelly, and I'm a sophomore at Suffield High School.

>> Hi, I'm Sarah Swensen, a senior from Suffield High School, and I'd like to acknowledge our alternate Ana not a good way.

>> And for Belchertown High School, coached by Steve Vinu.

>> Hi, my name is Miles McNamara and I'm a junior at Belchertown High.

Hi, I'm Naveen Berryhill and I'm a sophomore at Belchertown High.

>> Hi.

My name is Jack Myers and I'm a senior at Belchertown High School.

Hi, I'm Sean Lindsey, a sophomore at Belchertown High School, and I'd like to acknowledge our alternates.

Brayden Longe and Lindsey and Ellen Lorenzo.

>> We start off each match with the challenge round.

Both teams will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for ten points each.

All right.

Good luck to both teams.

Let's begin with the first question of the evening.

If you travel due south from Quito, Ecuador, what is the first national border you'll cross?

Belchertown.

>> No.

Peru.

Peru.

>> Peru.

Yes.

That's right.

With the atomic number 77 on the periodic table of elements.

Name the element that has the symbol air.

Belchertown.

>> Iridium.

>> Yes, iridium is correct.

In which of the following parts of the human body will you find the deltoid muscles?

Is it rib cage.

Belchertown.

>> Shoulder?

>> Yes.

Shoulder.

Didn't have to finish that.

Nice job on Wall Street.

On February 27th, 2020, the DJIA plunged more than 1190 points, triggered by fears of the spreading of the coronavirus.

In that sentence, what are the letters D j I a an abbreviation for.

>> Dow Jones Index Average.

>> I'm sorry, that is incorrect.

All right, Belchertown, that gives you the chance to answer the question.

>> Something.

>> Dow Jones, Industrial average.

We're very close to Sheffield.

All right, pick up your pens for this.

If one angle of an isosceles triangle measures 92 degrees, what is the measure in degrees?

Belchertown.

>> 44 degrees.

>> Of the other two angles, yes.

That's correct.

Complete the following relationship.

Beijing is to China as what capital city is to Iran?

Belchertown.

>> Tehran.

>> Tehran is correct.

Scarlet Scarlett O'Hara is the main character in what?

>> Gone with the wind.

>> Yes.

Very nice.

Beginning with the letter B, name, the short range wireless technology standard used Belchertown.

>> Bluetooth.

>> To exchange between mobile devices over short distances.

Yes that's correct.

Name the celebrity known for portraying captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

Suffield.

>> Johnny Depp.

>> Johnny Depp.

Yes.

That's right.

In which of the following years did Ronald Reagan win re-election?

By winning every state but Minnesota?

Belchertown.

>> 1962.

>> I'm sorry.

That is incorrect.

Let me finish the question.

Was it 1984, 1988 or 1992?

All right, Suffield, can you answer the question?

>> 1988.

>> The answer is 1984.

Grab your pens once again.

What?

Percent of 200 is 500?

Belchertown.

250%, 50%.

Yes.

That's right.

Beware the Jabberwock!

My son is a lion.

Belchertown.

>> Lewis.

Carroll.

>> Yes, that is correct.

Didn't have to go much into that question.

Very nice.

Between 2005 and 2021, Angela merkel served as chancellor.

>> Belchertown, Germany.

>> Germany.

I heard first, yes, that is correct.

If your calendar says it's mercredi in the French language, Belchertown.

>> Wednesday.

>> It is Wednesday in the English language.

Yes.

Ma is the two letter United States Postal abbreviation.

>> Suffield, Massachusetts.

>> I'm sorry, that is incorrect.

Let me finish the question.

That is the coastal abbreviation for Massachusetts.

What state uses the two letter United States Postal Service code AK.

All right.

Belchertown, can you answer?

>> Alaska?

Arkansas?

>> Alaska is the right answer.

Complete this relationship.

Mount Greylock is to Massachusetts as Mount Hood is to which U.S. state?

Belchertown.

>> Oregon?

>> Oregon is the right answer.

Which of these three digit numbers is not evenly divisible by seven?

105, 210 or 228.

>> Suffield 228.

>> Yes.

That's right.

Beginning with the letter V, what is the term for the solar event that happens on the Belchertown?

>> Vernal equinox.

>> First day of spring?

Yes.

That's right.

Miguel Diaz-Canel is currently the president and first secretary.

Of what Caribbean nation?

Belchertown, Cuba.

Cuba is right in the international sports world.

IOC is an acronym for what?

Organization?

Suffield.

>> International.

Olympic.

Olympic organization.

>> I'm sorry.

That is incorrect.

Belchertown.

Can you answer the question?

>> International Olympic Committee correct answer.

>> There is.

International Olympic Committee is the right answer.

Nice try on both sides.

In which of the following years did the US Congress establish a uniform date for federal elections, which henceforth would be held?

Suffield.

I'm sorry.

Time is up.

Let me finish the question, which henceforth would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Was it 1812, 1845 or 1904?

Belchertown, can you answer the question?

>> We'll go 1812.

>> 1845 is the right answer.

Try this one.

The Volta River, spelled Volta.

Belchertown.

>> Is it in Russia?

Russia?

Russia?

>> I'm sorry.

That is incorrect.

Let me finish.

The sentence can be found.

In what continent?

Suffield, can you answer the question?

>> Asia.

>> Correct answer.

There is Africa.

And that marks the end of our challenge round.

Let's take a minute now to meet the team from Suffield High School.

>> Hi, I'm Mackenzie Gaudet from Westfield State University.

We asked the team from Suffield High if candy were a currency, what would be the most valuable type and why?

>> Probably Eminem, just because of the most popular and because of that, more people would want it.

>> I think it'd have to be Ferrero Rocher.

It's so gold and pretty.

>> I think just going off of name alone, I'd have to go with 100 Grand Candy bar.

>> I would probably say chocolate coins just because they look like coins.

And so they're basically money.

All right.

>> Let's move on now to the first lightning round of the match.

Each team will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for five points each.

Buzz in and answer correctly.

You win five points.

However, if you answer incorrectly, your team loses five points.

Well, I'm going to name a continent and a city in a particular country on that continent.

You tell me.

The country where you will find that city.

Got it.

You have 90s starting right now.

In Europe, Antwerp.

>> Suffield, Netherlands.

>> Belgium is the right answer in Africa.

Alexandria.

Belchertown.

>> Egypt.

>> Egypt is correct in Asia.

Manila, The Philippines Philippines is right in Oceania.

Christchurch.

Belchertown, New Zealand new Zealand is right in Europe.

Barcelona, Spain Spain is correct in Europe.

Vaduz.

Belchertown.

>> Liechtenstein.

>> Yes, that is correct in Asia.

Yokohama, Japan Japan is correct in South America.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazil is right in Africa.

Cape town, South Africa.

Yes, that's right in Asia.

Aleppo.

Belchertown.

>> China.

>> Syria is the right answer in Asia.

Abu Dhabi.

>> United Arab Emirates.

>> Yes, that's correct in Europe.

Porto.

>> Belchertown, Portugal.

>> Portugal is correct in Africa.

Benghazi.

Libya Libya is correct in Africa.

Mombasa.

Bassett.

Suffield.

>> Kenya.

>> Kenya is correct in Asia.

Mumbai.

Belchertown.

>> India.

>> India is right.

Try Europe.

Hamburg.

>> Suffield, Germany.

>> Germany is correct in South America.

Quito.

>> Belchertown, Ecuador.

>> Ecuador is correct.

In Europe.

Saint Petersburg.

Suffield.

>> Russia.

>> Russia is right.

Try Asia.

Tel Aviv.

>> Israel.

>> Israel is correct.

In Oceania.

Melbourne.

Ah!

That bell marks the end of our lightning round.

But the correct answer to that last question is Australia.

Let's move on now with the capitalization round.

That's where teams get the chance to pick a category and a point value.

They'll need to answer a qualifying question first before they can continue on for points.

Now, if they fail to answer that qualifying question correctly, their opponents will have the opportunity to capitalize and get those points.

All right.

At the moment, Suffield, you are behind.

But that also means you get the first opportunity to pick a category and a point value.

What's it going to be?

>> We'd like literature for 30, please.

>> Literature for 30.

Here's your qualifying question.

In what Charles Dickens novel, will you encounter the character Bob Cratchit?

>> A Christmas carol?

>> Yes, that is correct.

Let's move on in this category.

More characters in the novels of Charles Dickens.

I'll name a character.

You tell me the novel from the choices I give for ten points each.

Take a look at your screen first.

Philip Pirrip, who was more often called Pip.

>> Great expectations.

>> Yes.

That's right.

Try Madame Defarge.

>> A Tale of Two Cities.

>> Yes.

That's right.

And finally, Wackford Squeers Nicholas Nickleby.

Yes.

That's right.

Nice job.

All right, Belchertown, your turn.

First time of the evening to please pick a category and a point value.

>> Math and science for 30.

>> Math and science for 30.

Qualifying question in physics.

What scalar quantity is the rate at which an object covers?

Distance.

>> Speed.

Speed.

Speed?

>> Speed.

Yes.

That's right.

Let's move on.

Now, grab your pens for these questions about speed for ten points each.

First, if it took exactly four hours for a car to travel a distance of 270 miles, at what speed in miles per hour was the car traveling?

112.5 I'm sorry, that is incorrect.

67.5mph is the right answer.

Let's try this.

A comet is cruising through the solar system at a speed of 60,000km/h.

What is the total distance in kilometers traveled by the comet?

During four hours and 30 minutes?

>> 270,000 270,000km.

>> Yes.

That's right.

And finally, try this.

If a pitcher could throw a baseball a distance of 60ft, six inches in only 0.5 seconds, what is the speed of the ball?

He threw in feet per second.

>> 121ft per second.

>> Yes.

That's right.

Nice.

Okay.

Soft field.

Once again.

Your turn.

>> We'd like arts and entertainment for 30, please.

>> Arts and entertainment for 30.

Your qualifying question.

Take a look at your screens of the following, which is not an original live action series distributed by Disney+ and or Jedi Wars or The Acolyte.

>> Jedi wars.

>> Jedi wars?

Yes.

That's right.

Let's test your Star Wars knowledge for ten points each.

Take a look at your screen first.

This was the first live action TV series in the Star Wars franchise.

It stars Pedro Pascal as the title character, a lone bounty hunter who goes on the run to protect the child Grogu.

Name the series The Mandalorian.

Yes!

That's correct.

Next question.

This 2021 mini series starred Temuera Morrison as a former bounty hunter once employed by Jabba the Hutt, and is now the leader of his former employer's territory.

Name the mini series.

>> I don't know.

I don't know.

>> The Book of Boba Fett is the right answer.

Finally, let's do this one in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

What did fans soon start referring to the child din Grogu as Baby Yoda?

Yes, Baby Yoda is correct.

Belchertown.

Once again, your turn to please pick a category and a points value.

>> Social studies for 30.

>> Social studies for 30.

Your qualifying question.

You have picked the Westfield State University entrance exam question answer the qualifier and all of the category questions correctly.

Your team wins an additional ten points.

All right good luck.

Here we go.

Of the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Which country reaches furthest north in latitude?

>> Norway.

>> Norway.

Yes that's right.

Let's move on.

More about Scandinavian countries for ten points each.

First, which of the three Scandinavian countries does not share a border with Russia?

>> Sweden.

>> Sweden?

Yes.

That's right.

Spell the name of the capital city of Finland.

>> H e s I n k I Helsinki.

>> Yes, that is correct.

And finally, in terms of geography, is Norway's capital city, Oslo, closest to the Swedish capital of Stockholm or the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

>> Stockholm.

>> Stockholm?

Yes.

Very nice job you answered all the questions correctly.

So that means your team wins the Westfield State University entrance exam question and an additional ten points.

Congratulations to you.

All right, Suffield, once again please pick a category and a point value.

>> General knowledge for 30.

>> General knowledge for 30.

Here's your qualifying question.

Listen to the sentence.

This information is accessible to anyone who wants it to qualify.

Spell the word accessible.

>> A c c e s s I b l e. >> Yes.

That's right.

Nice.

Let's move on.

Spelling words that begin with the letter A for ten points each.

First, a situation that is extremely poor or bad is said to be abysmal.

Spell the word abysmal.

>> A b y s. >> Yes that's right.

A sponge that takes in liquids in a gradual way is said to be absorbent.

Spell the word absorbent.

>> A b o b e. >> Yes.

That's right.

Finally, let's try this one.

To accept, agree or give consent by keeping silent or by not raising objections.

Is the definition of acquiesce.

>> Spell acquiesce a c q u I e e. >> Very nice.

Yes, that is correct.

Belchertown.

Once again, please pick a category and a point value.

>> World events for 30.

>> Last of the 30s.

Here we go with your qualifying question.

Take a look at your screen.

This iconic painting depicts General George Washington crossing what river on the night of December 25th, 1776.

>> Delaware.

>> The Delaware River is correct.

Let's move on.

More events from general history in which a river played an important part.

For ten points each, take a look at your screen.

First completed in 1935, the Hoover Dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States.

On what river does the Hoover Dam operate?

>> The Colorado?

>> Yes, that's right.

The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, has played a significant role in improving the health of this river in Maryland.

Name it.

>> Potomac River.

>> Yes.

That's right.

And finally, which of the following is the longest river in New England?

The Saco River.

The Housatonic River or the Connecticut River?

>> Connecticut.

>> Yes.

That's right.

Nice job.

Suffield.

Once again.

Your turn.

>> Literature for 25, please.

>> Literature for 25.

Qualifying question.

What American author's 1929 novel.

The sound and the Fury.

details from four different points of view.

The destruction and downfall of the aristocratic Compson family William Faulkner.

Yes that's right.

More about the writings of William Faulkner as we continue in this category.

I'll name a familiar Faulkner work.

You tell me if it's a short story or a novel.

For five points each.

First up.

Absalom, Absalom!

>> Short story.

>> Correct answer is a novel.

Let's try this one.

A Rose for Emily.

>> Short story.

>> Yes, that is correct.

Try barn burning short story.

Yes.

That's right.

How about light in August?

>> A novel.

>> Novel is correct.

And finally, as I Lay dying.

>> Novel.

>> Novel?

Yes.

That's right.

Belchertown.

Once again, pick a category and a point.

Value.

>> Math and science for 25.

>> Math and science for 25.

To qualify, you may want to use your pads and pens for this one.

Take a look at your screen.

What is the sixth term of the sequence shown here?

>> 48.

>> 96.

>> 96.

>> Yes, that's right.

Let's move on.

More numerical sequences, so keep your pens handy for ten points each.

Take a look at your screen first.

Find the seventh term of this sequence for 13, 22, 31, 40.

>> 58.

>> Yes, that's right.

Find the seventh term of this sequence 109 12 one 1413 119.

124 yes, that's correct.

All right.

Finally, this one's for five points.

Find the eighth term of this sequence six, three, eight.

Six.

Ten.

Nine.

>> Eight terms.

>> I'm sorry.

Time is up.

Correct answer.

There is 12.

Nice job on the other ones.

Suffield, once again, your turn.

>> Arts and entertainment for 25.

>> Arts and entertainment for 25.

Here's your qualifying question.

Take a look at your screens.

Be specific and identify this musical symbol.

>> Treble clef.

>> Treble clef or G. Yes that's right, let's move on.

In this category, more identification of musical symbols for ten points each.

Take a look at your screen.

Here's the first one.

>> Quarter note.

>> Eighth note is the right answer.

Let's try this one bass clef.

Yes that's right.

And finally, for five points, try this one whole note.

Yes that's right.

Belchertown, once again, your turn.

>> Social studies for 25.

>> Social studies for 25.

Your qualifying question.

Baffin Island is closest to which of the world's seven continents?

>> Baffin Island that's.

Oh, that's kind of North America.

>> North America is correct.

Let's move on.

Sticking with islands for five points each.

Which continent are these islands or island groups closest to?

First Shetland Islands.

>> Europe.

Europe.

>> Europe?

Yes.

Canary Islands, South America Africa is the right answer.

Try Sri Lanka.

>> Asia.

>> Asia is right.

Guadalupe Island.

>> South America.

>> North America is the right answer.

And finally, Papua New Guinea.

>> Oceania?

>> Yes.

Oceania is the correct answer.

And that marks the end of our capitalization round.

Let's take a minute now to meet the team from Belchertown High School.

>> Hi, I'm Mackenzie Gaudet from Westfield State University.

We asked the team from Belchertown High, would you rather have unlimited pizza or unlimited ice cream?

>> I would take ice cream because my favorite flavor is black raspberry.

I'd go pizza.

Shout out Antonios!

>> I would choose pizza because it warms me up on a cold day.

Unlimited ice cream because my favorite flavor is cookie dough.

>> Moving on now to the final lightning round of the match.

Each team will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for five points each.

Buzz in and answer correctly.

You win five points.

Answer incorrectly.

You know what happens.

Your team loses five points.

Well, you might be happy to hear that this is the last round.

Each of the answers to the following clues begin with the letter H, as in the words happy.

And here you have 90s starting right now.

Type of hot chili pepper.

Suffield.

>> Habanero.

>> Yes.

That's correct.

The observed intersection of land and sky.

Belchertown.

>> Horizon.

>> Horizon is correct.

An astrological future prediction.

>> Belchertown horoscope.

>> Yes.

That's right.

A chronological record of past events.

Suffield history.

History is correct.

A severe tropical cyclone.

Suffield.

>> Hurricane.

>> Hurricane is right.

A person who breaks into a computer network.

Suffield.

>> Hacker.

>> Yes, that is correct.

The science of growing plants.

>> Belchertown Herbology.

>> Horticulture is the right answer.

The name of the underworld in Greek mythology.

Belchertown.

Atys Hades is correct type of needle used to inject material into the skin.

Suffield.

Hypodermic is the right answer there.

A gas that lifts your balloon.

Belchertown.

>> Helium.

>> Helium is correct.

A person who lives in solitude.

Belchertown.

Hermit.

Hermit is correct.

Cartoon character.

Sonic is one.

Belchertown.

>> Hedgehog.

>> Hedgehog is correct.

Mythical creature with a woman's head and a Suffield Hydra.

Birds body is harpy is the right answer there a structure used in performing stunts in snowboarding.

Belchertown.

>> Half pipe.

>> Half pipe is correct a Morgan or a Clydesdale but.

Suffield.

Horse.

Horse is right.

A short handled ax.

Belchertown.

>> Hatchet.

>> Hatchet is correct.

Another name for the Netherlands.

>> Belchertown, Holland.

>> Holland is right.

Protective head covering made of hard plastic helmet is the right answer there.

However, that bell marks the end of our last lightning round.

It also marks the end of a really great first playoff match.

What a great way to kick off our playoffs.

I want to say to Suffield, congratulations to you.

To make it this far is such an accomplishment.

So kudos to you.

Tonight however, belongs to Belchertown High School.

What a great way to start our quarterfinals.

Belchertown now moving on to the semifinals.

Here's a look at our playoff bracket as it now stands.

Next up we have Longmeadow versus Westfield High School.

What's going to happen.

You'll have to tune in to find out.

That's next time.

And to see this season's roster.

And for more information, be sure to log on to our web page at npr.org.

Or you can look for us on Facebook and Instagram.

I'm your host, Beth Ward.

Good night, and be sure to tune in again next time when the playoffs continue on.

As schools match wits.

>> The members of the Massachusetts Teachers Teaches Association are working together to ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed.

The MTA 180 years of commitment to the public, schools and colleges our communities deserve.

>> To excel is to recognize that you want to continue to grow and transform and evolve into a better person.

Westfield State is a fit for me because it's a campus that's big enough to host a community in which I can get to know different kinds of people.

>> The impact I want to leave at Westfield State is to be a leader, to get involved.

Each person has their own excellence.

>> Hold on.

We drop this beat like.

Stop like that.

>> Do you want to see when your school's match is scheduled?

Want to know who the past ASM champions are?

Have a question you'd like to see us ask?

Then log on to the As Schools Match Wits web page at npr.org.

You can see this season's roster, a listing of past ASM champions and even submit a Question of your own, which may be used in a future episode.

It's all just a mouse click away.