>> JOIN US TONIGHT AS THE PLAYOFFS CONTINUE WITH THE SECOND SEED, PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, GOING UP AGAINST THE SEVENTH SEED, AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

THE 63RD 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 PROUD TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMMING ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE MTA: OVER 175 YEARS OF FIGHTING FOR 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.

[ ♪♪♪ ] [ THEME MUSIC PLAYS ] >> 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 THE REGION WENT HEAD TO HEAD IN QUALIFYING MATCHES TO TRY TO SCORE ENOUGH POINTS TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP EIGHT.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR CURRENT PLAYOFF BRACKET.

AND AS YOU KNOW, IN THE PLAYOFFS IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE POINTS ANYMORE, IT'S ABOUT THE WIN.

THE QUALIFYING MATCHES ARE OVER, THE PLAYOFFS CONTINUE.

MOUNT GREYLOCK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WON OUR FIRST QUARTERFINAL MATCH LAST TIME AND WILL MOVE ON TO THE SEMIFINALS.

IN TONIGHT'S SECOND QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP, WE HAVE PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY VERSUS AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

LET'S TAKE A SECOND TO MEET THE TEAMS, STARTING WITH AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL, COACHED BY KEITH IRELAND.

>> HI, MY NAME IS LIAM KENNEDY, AND I'M A SENIOR AT AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> MY NAME IS RYAN STAIRS.

I'M ALSO A SENIOR AT AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, MY NAME IS HUNTER STARK, AND I AM ALSO A SENIOR AT AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> MY NAME IS EDEN BERRY, AND I'M A SENIOR AT AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

AT THIS TIME, WE'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ALTERNATES, AUSTIN LEBLANC AND MCKENNA PODWORSKI.

>> AND FOR PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, COACHED BY ROB HILL.

>> HI, I AM AIDEN DUFF.

I'M A JUNIOR FROM HAMPDEN, MASS.

>> HI, MY NAME IS BRAD HILL, AND I'M A SENIOR FROM WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

>> HI, MY NAME IS BRANDON AIKMAN, AND I'M A SENIOR FROM NORTH GRANBY, CONNECTICUT.

>> HI, MY NAME IS ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ, AND I'M A JUNIOR FROM EAST LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS.

>> 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.

HERE WE GO WITH THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE EVENING.

IF YOU TRAVELED DUE WEST FROM PHOENIX, ARIZONA, WHAT IS THE FIRST STATE BORDER YOU'LL CROSS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> CALIFORNIA.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

IN WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING YEARS WAS THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT SIGNED, WAS IT 1607, 1620, OR 1631?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> 1620.

>> YES, 1620 IS CORRECT.

A SINGLE MOLECULE OF ETHANOL COMPRISES HOW MANY ATOMS OF HYDROGEN, IS IT THREE, SIX, OR NINE?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> SIX.

>> SIX, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE TRIG FUNCTIONS IS UNDEFINED AT X EQUALS 180 DEGREES, IS IT THE TANGENT X, COTANGENT OF X, OR SECANT OF X?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> COTANGENT OF X.

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

COMPLETE THE TITLE OF THIS 2023 FILM, "HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD" OF WHAT?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES."

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

COMPLETE THIS RELATIONSHIP: ALGIERS IS TO ALGERIA AS WHAT CITY IS TO MOROCCO?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> RABAT.

>> RABAT, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

"THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE" IS ONE OF SEVEN NOVELS WHICH MAKE UP-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "CHRONICLES OF NARNIA."

>> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

NICE JOB.

IF YOU WANT TO VIEW THE CONE GEYSER POPULARLY KNOWN AS OLD FAITHFUL-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] >> YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.

>> YELLOWSTONE, YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

IN THE QUESTION "WHAT IS YOUR COMPUTER'S I.P.

ADDRESS," THE LETTERS-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> INTERNET PROTOCOL.

>> YES, DIDN'T HAVE TO FINISH THAT.

NICE JOB.

LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY.

"THE CLEVELAND BROWNS HAD A GREAT DEFENSE IN 2023."

IN THAT SENTENCE, WHAT PART OF SPEECH IS THE WORD "GREAT"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> ADJECTIVE.

>> ADJECTIVE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

IN 2023, INDEPENDENCE DAY WAS CELEBRATED ON TUESDAY, JULY 4TH.

ON WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK WILL JULY 4TH FALL IN 2024?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> WEDNESDAY.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

AGAWAM, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER.

>> THURSDAY.

>> THURSDAY BECAUSE IT'S A LEAP YEAR, YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY.

WHAT NUMBER IS 150%-- A HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERCENT-- OF 64?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> 96.

>> 96, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

WHAT BRITISH SINGER-SONGWRITER NAMED FIVE OF HIS STUDIO ALBUMS AFTER MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> ED SHEERAN.

>> ED SHEERAN, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY ONCE AGAIN.

IN PHYSICS, A BTU IS THE AMOUNT OF HEAT NEEDED TO-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> BRITISH THERMAL UNIT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

WHAT CHEMICAL ELEMENT'S SYMBOL APPEARS ON THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS AS THE CAPITAL LETTER "P"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> PHOSPHOROUS.

>> PHOSPHOROUS I HEARD FIRST.

YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

WHAT POLITICIAN IN A SEPTEMBER 12TH, 1962, SPEECH SAID, "WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON--" [ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> JOHN F. KENNEDY.

>> YES, VERY NICE.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

IN WHICH SUBJECT WOULD YOU DISCUSS GRESHAM'S LAW?

IS IT ASTRONOMY, ALGEBRA, ECONOMICS, OR CRIMINAL LAW?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> CRIMINAL LAW.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

AGAWAM, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> ASTRONOMY.

>> ECONOMICS IS ACTUALLY THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

IN WHICH NEW ENGLAND STATE WOULD YOU BE IN IF YOU WERE WALKING ALONG BELLEVUE AVENUE, A 2.5-MILE STRETCH PARALLEL TO THE CLIFF WALK AND HOME TO MANY FAMOUS MANSIONS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> RHODE ISLAND.

>> RHODE ISLAND, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

BING IS THE MOST COMMON VARIETY OF WHAT FRUIT, IS IT BANANAS, CHERRIES, OR PEARS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> PEAR.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

PIONEER VALLEY, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER.

>> CHERRIES.

>> CHERRIES, YES, BING CHERRIES IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

IAGO IS THE MAIN ANTAGONIST-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "OTHELLO."

>> IN SHAKESPEARE'S PLAY.

YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ONE, WHAT IS THE TWO-WORD LATIN EXPRESSION USED IN ENGLISH TO MEAN EITHER "AND OTHER THINGS" OR "AND SO FORTH"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> ET CETERA.

>> ET CETERA, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

IN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER, THE WHITE CAPS ARE BASED IN VANCOUVER.

IN WHICH U.S. CITY ARE THE SOUNDERS BASED?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> SEATTLE.

>> SEATTLE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

THE HAYMARKET AFFAIR WAS A LABOR DEMONSTRATION THAT TOOK PLACE ON MAY 4TH, 1886, IN WHAT U.S. CITY?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> CHICAGO.

>> CHICAGO, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

THE ASTRONOMICAL EVENT THAT HAPPENS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING IS ALSO KNOWN BY WHAT-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> VERNAL EQUINOX.

>> TWO-WORD PHRASE, YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

NICE.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A TYPE OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK: SHALE, PUMICE, OR GRANITE?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> SHALE.

>> SHALE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

NAME THE 2018 MOVIE WITH THE FOLLOWING PLOT CLUE: WHEN THE CREATOR OF A VIRTUAL REALITY CALLED THE OASIS DIES-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "READY PLAYER ONE."

>> YES, "READY PLAYER ONE," THAT'S RIGHT.

GRAB YOUR PENS FOR THIS ONE.

TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER, WHAT IS THE APPROXIMATE RADIUS OF A CIRCLE WHOSE AREA IS 314 SQUARE CENTIMETERS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> UM, FIVE.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

AGAWAM, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER.

>> TEN.

>> PLEASE BE MORE SPECIFIC.

>> CENTIMETERS.

>> YES, TEN CENTIMETERS IS CORRECT.

AND THAT MARKS THE END OF OUR CHALLENGE ROUND.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE NOW TO MEET THE TEAM FROM AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M MACKENZIE GAUDETTE FROM WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE ASKED THE TEAM FROM AGAWAM HIGH, IF YOU COULD REWRITE THE ENDING TO A FAMOUS STORY, WHETHER IT WAS A BOOK, MOVIE, OR TV SERIES, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE AND WHY?

>> IF I COULD CHANGE THE ENDING TO ANY STORY, I THINK I'D CHANGE THE ENDING OF THE MOVIE "DEAD POETS SOCIETY" SO IT'S HAPPIER AND THERE ARE IN FACT NO DEAD POETS, BECAUSE I'D LIKE THE CHARACTERS TO ALL GET A HAPPY ENDING.

>> I WOULD WANT "STAR WARS" TO END WHEN LUKE JUST MISSES THE DEATH STAR.

THEN HE ALSO JUST WOULDN'T KISS HIS SISTER.

>> I WOULD CHANGE THE ENDING OF "ROMEO AND JULIET."

IF ROMEO JUST WASN'T AN IDIOT, THEY WOULD'VE BOTH LIVED.

>> IF I COULD REWRITE THE ENDING TO ANY STORY, I WOULD DO THE DISNEY MOVIE "LUCA," BECAUSE I WISH THAT LUCA AND ALBERTO COULD STILL BE TOGETHER AT THE END.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> WHAT A CLOSE MATCH WE HAVE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

SCORE CURRENTLY STANDS AT AGAWAM 140, PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 120.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON 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, ANSWER CORRECTLY, YOU WIN FIVE POINTS.

ANSWER INCORRECTLY, YOUR TEAM LOSES FIVE POINTS.

WELL, LET'S SEE HOW WELL YOU PERFORM IN THIS ROUND.

EACH ANSWER WILL CONTAIN THE LETTER SEQUENCE P-E-R SOMEWHERE IN IT, AS IN THE WORD "PERFORM."

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

TO GO ON STUBBORNLY IN SPITE OF WARNINGS TO STOP.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> PERSEVERE.

>> PERSEVERE OR PERSIST IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

A COMMON EURASIAN VENOMOUS SNAKE.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> VIPER.

>> VIPER, YES, THAT'S THE RIGHT ANSWER.

THE U.S., CHINA, AND RUSSIA ARE CONSIDERED THIS.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> SUPERPOWERS.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

SOMETHING YOU WRITE OR COLOR ON.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> PAPER.

>> PAPER, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

ANOTHER WORD FOR SWEAT.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> PERSPIRATION.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

METAL THAT PENNIES ARE MADE FROM.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> COPPER.

>> COPPER, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

A RESTING PLACE FOR A BIRD.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] "PERCH" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

SOMETHING THAT ENDURES WITHOUT END.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> PERSIST.

>> "PERMANENT" OR "PERPETUAL" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

ANOTHER TERM FOR CAPITAL LETTERS.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> UPPERCASE.

>> YES, UPPERCASE IS CORRECT.

THE BOUNDARY LINE OF AN AREA.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> PERIMETER.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

IT'S THE "H" IN HTML.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> HYPER.

>> YES, HYPER IS RIGHT.

OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS USED ON SUBMARINES.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> PERISCOPE.

>> PERISCOPE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

EXAMPLES INCLUDE "MADAME BUTTERFLY" AND "THE MAGIC FLUTE."

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> OPERA.

>> OPERAS, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

AN APT DESCRIPTION OF ICE.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS, THEN RINGER ] "SLIPPERY" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

NOT QUITE IN TIME.

[ BELL RINGS ] AH, AND THAT BELL MARKS THE END OF OUR FIRST LIGHTNING ROUND.

WHAT A CLOSE MATCH WE HAVE STILL GOING ON.

LET'S CONTINUE OUR SECOND QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP 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.

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, PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, YOU ARE A BIT BEHIND.

ALSO MEANS YOU GET THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 30.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

AH, YOU'VE PICKED THE WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM QUESTION.

ANSWER THE QUALIFIER AND ALL THE CATEGORY QUESTIONS CORRECTLY AND YOUR TEAM WINS AN ADDITIONAL TEN POINTS.

ALL RIGHT, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, HERE WE GO.

GOOD LUCK.

HERE'S THE QUALIFYING QUESTION.

[ WARD READS ON-SCREEN TEXT ] >> THE EQUATOR.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

THE EQUATOR ALSO PASSES THROUGH THREE SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES.

LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN IDENTIFY EACH OF THEM.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN, PLEASE.

FIRST, THIS SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY IS THE WORLD'S FIFTH LARGEST COUNTRY BY AREA AND SEVENTH MOST POPULOUS.

NAME IT.

>> BRAZIL.

>> YES, BRAZIL IS CORRECT.

HERE'S THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COUNTRY'S DIVERSE LANDSCAPE ENCOMPASSES THE AMAZON JUNGLE, THE ANDEAN HIGHLANDS, AND THE WILDLIFE-RICH GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.

NAME IT.

>> ECUADOR.

>> YES, ECUADOR IS CORRECT.

FINALLY, LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

THIS SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY IS THE ONLY ONE DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO CENTRAL AMERICA.

NAME IT.

>> COLUMBIA.

>> COLUMBIA, YES, VERY NICE JOB.

CLEAN SWEEP ON THAT.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU PASSED THE WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM QUESTION.

YOU GET AN ADDITIONAL TEN POINTS.

VERY NICE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AGAWAM, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 30.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS.

IN 44 B.C., THE ROMAN CALENDAR'S NAME FOR THE SEVENTH MONTH OF THE YEAR WAS CHANGED FROM QUINTILIS TO JULIUS, WHICH WE NOW CALL JULY.

TO WHICH ROMAN EMPEROR WAS THIS MONTH DEDICATED TO?

>> JULIUS CAESAR.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY, HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT OCCURRED IN THE MONTH OF JULY OF A GIVEN YEAR.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

FIRST, ON JULY 1ST, 1776, THE AMERICAN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS SITTING AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

IN WHAT CITY WAS THAT VOTE TAKEN?

>> PHILADELPHIA.

>> PHILADELPHIA, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

HERE'S THE NEXT ONE.

ON JULY 1ST, 1858, THIS BRITISH SCIENTIST PRESENTED A PAPER TO THE LINNEAN SOCIETY IN LONDON ON HIS THEORY OF EVOLUTION OF SPECIES AND NATURAL SELECTION.

NAME THIS SCIENTIST.

>> CHARLES DARWIN.

>> YES, DARWIN IS CORRECT.

AND FINALLY, ON JULY 20TH, 1969, AT 10:56 P.M. EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, THIS ASTRONAUT STEPPED OFF THE LADDER OF THE APOLLO 11 LUNAR MODULE AND BECAME THE FIRST HUMAN TO WALK ON THE MOON.

NAME THAT ASTRONAUT.

>> NEIL ARMSTRONG.

>> YES, NEIL ARMSTRONG IS CORRECT.

NICE JOB.

>> PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, YOUR TURN ONCE AGAIN.

PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 30.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

WE HAVE A VIDEO QUALIFIER.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

>> HI, I'M PETER SOKOLOWSKI, EDITOR AT LARGE FOR MERRIAM-WEBSTER IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, WITH YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

THE WORD "EXACERBATE" IS A VERB DEFINED AS...

HERE'S HOW IT'S USED IN A SENTENCE.

"THE PROPOSED FACTORY SHUTDOWN WOULD ONLY EXACERBATE OUR UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS."

TO QUALIFY, SPELL THE WORD "EXACERBATE."

>> E-X-A-C-E-R-B-A-T-E. >> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

NICE JOB.

LET'S MOVE ON, STICKING WITH SPELLING WORDS BEGINNING WITH THE LETTERS E-X.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

FIRST, "EXACTITUDE" IS A NOUN DEFINED AS "THE QUALITY OR INSTANCE OF BEING EXACT."

SPELL THE WORD "EXACTITUDE."

>> E-X-A-C-T-I-T-U-D-E. >> YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

HERE'S THE NEXT ONE.

"EXASPERATING" IS AN ADJECTIVE DEFINED AS "CAUSING STRONG FEELINGS OF IRRITATION OR ANNOYANCE."

SPELL THE WORD "EXASPERATING."

>> E-X-A-S-P-E-R-A-T-I-N-G. >> YOU ARE CORRECT, NICE.

AND FINALLY, "EXCESSIVENESS" IS A NOUN DEFINED AS "SOMETHING EXCEEDING WHAT IS USUAL, PROPER, NECESSARY, OR NORMAL."

SPELL THE WORD "EXCESSIVENESS."

>> E-X-C-E-S-S-I-V-E-N-E-S-S. >> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

VERY NICE JOB.

OKAY, AGAWAM, ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TURN.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 30.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 30.

HERE WE GO WITH YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

SIMPLIFY THIS EXPRESSION: THE QUANTITY 17 MINUS 7 DIVIDED BY 5 PLUS 1.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] I'M SORRY, TIME IS UP.

ALL RIGHT, PIONEER VALLEY, CAN YOU CAPITALIZE?

>> THREE.

>> THREE, YES, THAT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

MORE WITH ORDER OF OPERATIONS.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN AGAIN FOR TEN POINTS.

SIMPLIFY EACH EXPRESSION I GIVE.

FIRST UP, THE QUANTITY 20 MINUS 4 TIMES THE QUANTITY 3 PLUS 2.

>> ZERO.

>> ZERO, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

HERE'S THE NEXT ONE.

THE QUANTITY 2 PLUS 9 TIMES THE QUANTITY 8 MINUS 4.

>> 44.

>> 44 IS CORRECT.

AND FINALLY, HOW ABOUT 5 PLUS THE QUANTITY 24 DIVIDED BY 3 TIMES 7.

>> 61.

>> YES, 61.

ALL RIGHT, PIONEER VALLEY, ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 25.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 25.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

[ WARD READS ON-SCREEN TEXT ] >> GREAT BASIN DESERT.

>> YES, GREAT BASIN IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

ON WHICH OF THE WORLD'S SEVEN CONTINENTS WILL YOU FIND THESE DESERTS?

THIS IS FOR FIVE POINTS EACH.

FIRST, THE MOJAVE DESERT.

>> NORTH AMERICA.

>> NORTH AMERICA IS CORRECT.

HOW ABOUT THE GOBI DESERT?

>> ASIA.

>> ASIA IS RIGHT.

TRY THE GREAT SANDY DESERT.

>> AUSTRALIA.

>> YES, AUSTRALIA IS CORRECT.

THE NUBIAN DESERT.

>> AFRICA.

>> AFRICA IS CORRECT.

AND FINALLY, HOW ABOUT THE NEGEV DESERT?

>> ASIA.

>> ASIA, YES, NICE JOB.

CLEAN SWEEP.

AGAWAM, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> LITERATURE FOR 30.

>> LITERATURE FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

[ WARD READS ON-SCREEN TEXT ] >> "YELLOW BRICKS."

>> "YELLOW BRICKS," YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

I'LL PROVIDE THE LITERARY WORK, THE AUTHOR, AND THE BEGINNING OF A QUOTATION AND YOU PROVIDE THE LAST WORDS.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

"THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY" BY DOUGLAS ADAMS: "THE ANSWER TO THE GREAT QUESTION OF LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND EVERYTHING IS" BLANK.

>> "42."

>> YES, "42" IS CORRECT.

NEXT, "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE" BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: "ALL THAT GLISTERS IS NOT" BLANK.

>> "GOLD."

>> "GOLD" IS CORRECT.

AND FINALLY, "1984" BY GEORGE ORWELL: "IT WAS A BRIGHT, COLD DAY IN APRIL, AND THE CLOCKS WERE STRIKING" BLANK.

>> "13."

>> "13", YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

PIONEER VALLEY, ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 25.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 25.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY.

[ WARD READS ON-SCREEN TEXT ] >> 1 AND 2.

>> YES, 1 AND 2 IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

EACH OF THESE MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSIONS INVOLVING THE NUMBER PI LIES BETWEEN WHAT TWO CONSECUTIVE INTEGERS?

THESE ARE FOR FIVE POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

HOW ABOUT TWO PI?

>> 6 AND 7.

>> 6 AND 7 IS CORRECT.

NEXT ONE, PI SQUARED.

>> 9 AND 10.

>> 9 AND 10 IS CORRECT.

HOW ABOUT THE CUBE ROOT OF PI?

>> 1 AND 2.

>> 1 AND 2 IS CORRECT.

AND WHAT ABOUT PI FACTORIAL?

>> 11 AND 12.

>> 7 AND 8 IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

AND FINALLY, HOW ABOUT 10 PI?

>> 31 AND 32.

>> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, AGAWAM, ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TURN.

>> ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 30.

>> GOING FOR IT WITH ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS, PLEASE.

IN 2023, THE SEVENTH "TRANSFORMERS" FILM WAS RELEASED THAT IS BOTH A SEQUEL TO THE 2018 FILM "BUMBLEBEE" AND A PREQUEL TO THE FIRST FILM OF THE FRANCHISE, SIMPLY TITLED "TRANSFORMERS."

NAME THE 2023 FILM.

>> "BUMBLEBEE."

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, PIONEER VALLEY, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO CAPITALIZE.

>> JUST SAY IT.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] JUST SAY IT!

>> I'M SORRY, TIME IS UP.

THE CORRECT ANSWER, "TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

AND THAT MARKS THE END OF OUR CAPITALIZATION ROUND.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE NOW TO MEET THE TEAM FROM PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

>> HI, I'M MACKENZIE GAUDETTE FROM WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE ASKED THE TEAM FROM PVCA, IF YOU COULD CREATE YOUR OWN BOARD GAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT AND HOW WOULD IT BE PLAYED?

>> SO MY BOARD GAME WOULD BE ABOUT FIGHTING, AND I'D CALL IT "BATTLEGROUND: THE GAME."

AND IT'S BASICALLY YOU HAVE AN EIGHT BY EIGHT FRAME OF, LIKE, CHECKERBOARD TILES WITH YOUR GUYS IN THE FRONT, YOUR HORSIES, YOUR, LIKE, TOWERS THAT LOOK REALLY SIMILAR, AND THEN YOU HAVE, LIKE, MORE GUYS IN THE BACK AND THEN, LIKE, YOUR PRINCE AND YOUR PRINCESS, AND THEY'RE ALL FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

AND THE GOAL IS TO KILL THE OTHER PERSON'S PRINCE.

AND, LIKE, THE PRINCESS IS ALWAYS THE STRONGEST PIECE, SO YOU ALWAYS WANT TO GET THAT ONE, BUT, LIKE, NEVER FORGET ABOUT THE GUYS IN THE FRONT, BECAUSE THEY CAN KILL THE OTHER PIECES AS WELL.

SO, YEAH.

>> SO I WOULD CREATE A CARD GAME WITH FOUR COLORS AND DIFFERENT NUMBERS ON ALL OF THE DIFFERENT CARDS, AND THE GOAL IS, LIKE, YOU GO AROUND IN A CIRCLE, AND YOU'RE TRYING TO MATCH THE COLOR OR THE NUMBER UNTIL SOMEONE RUNS OUT OF CARDS, AND THEN ONCE YOU GET DOWN TO ONE CARD LEFT, YOU SAY "ONE."

>> IT WOULD BE A CONQUERING GAME WITH REALLY BAD BORDER LINES FOR A MAP, AND THEN YOU WOULD PLACE DIFFERENT TROOPS RANGING FROM ONE TO TWO TO FOUR, AND THEN YOU'D JUST HAVE THEM ATTACK EACH OTHER, AND WHOEVER CONQUERS ALL OF THE POORLY DRAWN TERRITORIES ENDS UP WINNING.

>> IT WOULD BE ABOUT PLAYERS USING DIFFERENT METAL TRINKETS TO GO AROUND A BOARD BEING THE WORST LANDLORD POSSIBLE AND TRYING TO MONOPOLIZE THE HOUSING MARKET.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> ON NOW TO THE FINAL LIGHTNING ROUND OF THE EVENING.

EACH TEAM WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BUZZ IN AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR FIVE POINTS EACH.

BUZZ IN, ANSWER CORRECTLY, YOU WIN FIVE POINTS.

ANSWER INCORRECTLY, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, YOUR TEAM LOSES FIVE POINTS.

WELL, THIS ROUND IS ALL ABOUT LITERARY CHARACTERS.

I'LL NAME THE AUTHOR AND A PROMINENT CHARACTER, YOU TELL ME WHICH LITERARY WORK THE CHARACTER IS FROM.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

>> ROALD DAHL, WILLY WONKA.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY."

>> YES.

JOHN STEINBECK, TOM JOAD.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "THE GRAPES OF WRATH."

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

GEORGE ORWELL, WINSTON SMITH.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "1984."

>> "1984" IS CORRECT.

HERMAN MELVILLE, CAPTAIN AHAB.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "MOBY-DICK."

>> YES, "MOBY-DICK" IS CORRECT.

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, DAISY BUCHANAN.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "THE GREAT GATSBY."

>> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

GEORGE ORWELL, OLD MAJOR.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "ANIMAL FARM."

>> "ANIMAL FARM" IS CORRECT.

HARPER LEE, ATTICUS FINCH.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD."

>> YES, "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD" IS RIGHT.

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, ROGER CHILLINGSWORTH.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "THE SCARLET LETTER."

>> YES, "THE SCARLET LETTER" IS CORRECT.

J.D.

SALINGER, HOLDEN CAULFIELD.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "CATCHER IN THE RYE."

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, JO MARCH.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "LITTLE WOMEN."

>> YES, "LITTLE WOMEN" IS RIGHT.

STEPHEN CRANE, HENRY FLEMING.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "RED BADGE OF COURAGE."

>> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

RAY BRADBURY, GUY MONTAG.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "FAHRENHEIT 451."

>> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, MERCUTIO.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "ROMEO AND JULIET."

YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

WILLIAM GOLDING, PIGGY.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AGAWAM.

>> "LORD OF THE FLIES."

>> YES, "LORD OF THE FLIES" IS CORRECT.

MARK TWAIN, TOM CANTY.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] >> PIONEER VALLEY.

>> "THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN."

>> "PRINCE AND THE PAUPER" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY, FREDERIC HENRY.

[ BELL RINGS ] AH, THAT IS "A FAREWELL TO ARMS," HOWEVER THAT BELL MARKS THE END OF OUR LAST LIGHTNING ROUND.

IT ALSO MARKS THE END OF A CLOSE MATCH.

WHAT A GREAT MATCHUP AS WE CONTINUE OUR QUARTERFINALS.

AGAWAM, YOU REALLY KICKED IT INTO HIGH GEAR ON THAT LAST LIGHTNING ROUND, SO GREAT JOB TO YOU.

TONIGHT, THE WINNER IS PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, SO CONGRATS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BRACKET NOW.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THE NUMBER TWO SEED, PIONEER VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, IS MOVING ON.

NEXT UP, AS WE CONTINUE OUR PLAYOFFS, LONGMEADOW VERSUS WEST SPRINGFIELD.

SO LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS!

TO SEE THIS SEASON'S ROSTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, BE SURE TO LOG ON TO OUR WEB PAGE AT NEPM.ORG OR YOU CAN LOOK FOR US ON FACEBOOK.

I'M YOUR HOST, BETH WARD.

GOOD NIGHT, AND BE SURE TO TUNE IN AGAIN AS THE QUARTERFINALS CONTINUE.

THAT'S NEXT TIME ON "AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS."

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMMING ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE MTA: OVER 175 YEARS OF FIGHTING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE.

>> I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ALL THESE EXPERIENCES AND REALLY BUILD MYSELF AS A PERSON.

YOU'RE TREATED LIKE A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL THE SECOND YOU WALK IN HERE.

WE DROP THIS BEAT LIKE...

HOLD UP!

[ ♪♪♪ ]