>> JOIN US TONIGHT AS THE SEMI-FINALS BEGIN WITH THE TOP SEED, LENOX MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL GOING UP AGAINST THE NUMBER FOUR SEED, AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

THE HISTORIC 60TH 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 QUALITY PROGRAMMING ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE MTA: WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE.

LEARN MORE AT MASSTEACHER.ORG.

>> 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.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE'VE RE-DESIGNED OUR WESTFIELD STATE PRODUCTION STUDIOS TO PUT SOCIAL DISTANCING SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.

WITH BOTH TEAMS AND MYSELF NOW IN DIFFERENT ROOMS, WE'RE CONTINUING OUR SLIGHTLY SHORTENED ASMW SEASON.

ONCE AGAIN, HIGH SCHOOLS FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION WENT HEAD TO HEAD IN QUALIFYING MATCHES TO SEE WHO COULD SCORE ENOUGH POINTS TO FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR AND COMPETE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FINAL STANDINGS FROM THOSE QUALIFYING MATCHES.

STARTING TONIGHT, 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 SEMI-FINAL MATCH-UP, WE HAVE NUMBER ONE SEED, LENOX MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL, VERSUS NUMBER FOUR SEED, AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

LET'S TAKE A SECOND TO MEET THE TEAMS, STARTING WITH AMHERST REGIONAL, COACHED BY CHRIS GOULD AND STEFAN BECHTOLD.

>> HI, MY NAME IS NORA HARRIS AND I'M A SENIOR AT AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, MY NAME IS RAFI ASH AND I'M A JUNIOR AT AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, MY NAME IS RUTHIE WEINBAUM AND I'M A SENIOR AT AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ALTERNATES, MILES KAWECKI AND STRAYA VENKANTRAMAN.

>> AND FOR LENOX MEMORIAL, COACHED BY MATT GOTTFRIED AND CHARLES MATTINA.

>> I'M DANIEL MUNCH, I'M A SENIOR AT LENOX MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M FIONA MATHEWS AND I'M A JUNIOR AT LENOX MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, MY NAME IS TED YEE AND I'M A SENIOR AT LENOX MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.

AT THIS TIME I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ALTERNATE, ELI CARROL.

>> WE BEGIN OUR MATCH, AS WE ALWAYS DO, WITH THE CHALLENGE ROUND.

I'LL ASK A SERIES OF QUESTIONS, BOTH TEAMS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BUZZ IN AND ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS FOR 10 POINTS EACH.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK TO BOTH TEAMS.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE EVENING.

IF YOU TRAVEL DUE EAST FROM THE CITY OF PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, WHAT IS THE FIRST NATIONAL BORDER THAT YOU'LL CROSS?

LENOX.

>> VIETNAM.

>> VIETNAM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

WHICH CHEMICAL ELEMENT IS ABBREVIATED WITH THE LETTERS M-O?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AMHERST.

>> NO ANSWER.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] >> ALL RIGHT, LENOX, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> MOLYBDENUM.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON WITH THE NEXT QUESTION.

WHAT STEPHEN CRANE NOVEL BEGINS, "THE COLD PASSED RELUCTANTLY FROM THE EARTH, AND THE RETIRING FOGS REVEALED AN ARMY STRETCHED OUT ON THE HILLS, RESTING"?

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] RIGHT ANSWER THERE, "THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE".

NEXT QUESTION.

GRAB YOUR PENS FOR THIS ONE.

IF THERE ARE SIX FEET IN A SINGLE FATHOM, HOW MANY SQUARE FEET ARE THERE IN SEVEN SQUARE FATHOMS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AMHERST.

>> 252.

>> 252, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

WHICH OF THE SEVEN ARTICLES OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION CONCERNS THE POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT?

LENOX.

>> THE SECOND.

>> ARTICLE 2, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

IF YOU WANT TO FIELD A TEAM TO PLAY THIS ICE SPORT, YOU'LL NEED FOUR PLAYERS: A LEAD, SECOND, THIRD-- AMHERST.

>> CURLING.

>> ...AND A SKIP, THAT IS RIGHT.

CURLING IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

METEOROLOGICALLY SPEAKING, WHAT IS THE TERM FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF LOW RAINFALL SO THAT-- LENOX.

>> A DROUGHT.

>> DROUGHT, YES, DIDN'T HAVE TO FINISH THAT ONE, THAT IS CORRECT.

GRAB YOUR PENS ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS ONE, AND LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY.

SEVENTEEN IS WHAT PERCENT OF 85?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AMHERST.

>> TWENTY.

>> TWENTY, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

WHAT IS THE NEXT LINE OF THE FAMILIAR NURSERY RHYME WHICH BEGINS, "STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT"?

LENOX.

>> "FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT."

>> YES, YOU'RE RIGHT, NICE JOB.

NAME THE SOUTH KOREAN BAND THAT RELEASED ITS FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE-- LENOX.

>> BTS.

>> BANG-TAN BOYS, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S TRY THIS NEXT QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE ONLY CALENDAR MONTH IN WHICH IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE WILL BE NO FULL MOONS?

LENOX.

>> FEBRUARY.

>> FEBRUARY, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

COMPLETE THIS RELATIONSHIP.

CHARLIE BAKER IS TO MASSACHUSETTS AS WHO IS TO FLORIDA?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AMHERST.

>> RON DESANTIS.

>> YES, RON DESANTIS IS THE GOVERNOR THERE.

WHAT NATIONAL LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM PLAYS ITS HOME GAMES AT THE GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LENOX.

>> CINCINNATI REDS.

>> YES, THE REDS, THAT IS CORRECT.

WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WOULD IT BE IN THE U.S.

IF IT WERE "MARTEDI" IN ITALY?

LENOX.

>> TUESDAY.

>> TUESDAY, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

PART ONE OF WHAT CLASSIC NOVEL OPENS WITH AGING NOBLEMAN, ALONSO QUIXANO, SETTING OUT FROM HIS HOME VILLAGE OF LA MANCHA ON A QUEST FOR ADVENTURE?

LENOX.

>> "DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA".

>> "DON QUIXOTE," YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON WITH THIS NEXT QUESTION.

IN WHAT GAME MIGHT YOU EMPLOY A FRENCH DEFENSE OPENING?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LENOX.

>> CHESS.

>> YES, CHESS IS CORRECT.

WHAT CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRY'S COAT OF ARMS DEPICTS A GOLDEN EAGLE PERCHED ON A CACTUS-- AMHERST.

>> MEXICO.

>> MEXICO, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

IF EACH INTERIOR ANGLE OF A REGULAR POLYGON MEASURES 135 DEGREES, THAT POLYGON HAS HOW MANY SIDES?

AMHERST.

>> EIGHT.

>> YES, EIGHT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DIAGONALS THAT CAN BE DRAWN IN AN OCTAGON?

LENOX.

>> SEVENTEEN.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

AMHERST, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] TWENTY IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

AND THAT MARKS THE END OF OUR CHALLENGE ROUND.

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

>> HI, I'M CHEYENNE ALCOMBRIGHT FROM WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY AND AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

WE ASKED THE TEAM FROM AMHERST REGIONAL, WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF YOUR SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE?

>> MY BEST PART ABOUT THE AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN FINALLY MAKING IT ONTO THE TEAM.

>> BEST PART OF MY AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE WAS DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIPS WITH MY TEAMMATES.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'D HAVE TO BE THOSE EARLY MORNING DRIVES TO WESTFIELD.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> OUR FIRST SEMI-FINAL MATCH IS A GOOD ONE, IT'S A CLOSE RACE, ALL RIGHT, SO 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 AND ANSWER CORRECTLY, YOU WIN FIVE POINTS, ANSWER INCORRECTLY, YOU LOSE FIVE POINTS.

HOPEFULLY THIS LIGHTNING ROUND WILL TAKE "MINIMUM" EFFORT.

THE ANSWER TO EACH QUESTION IN THIS ROUND IS A WORD THAT BOTH BEGINS AND ENDS WITH THE LETTER "M".

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

THE GREATEST QUANTITY ATTAINABLE?

LENOX.

>> MAXIMUM.

>> MAXIMUM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

A PLACE TO VIEW OBJECTS OF LASTING INTEREST?

AMHERST.

>> MUSEUM.

>> MUSEUM, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

DEVICE USED TO SEND COMPUTER DATA OVER PHONE LINES?

LENOX.

>> MODEM.

>> MODEM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

THE HALFWAY POINT OF A SEMESTER?

AMHERST.

>> MIDTERM.

>> MIDTERM IS CORRECT.

A SITUATION THAT INVOLVES A LOT OF VIOLENT DESTRUCTION?

LENOX.

>> MAYHEM.

>> MAYHEM IS CORRECT.

THE FORCE THAT ALLOWS SOMETHING TO GROW STRONGER AS TIME PASSES?

AMHERST.

>> MOMENTUM.

>> MOMENTUM IS CORRECT.

LUNAR LIGHT RAY AS SEEN ON EARTH?

AMHERST.

>> MOONBEAM.

>> MOONBEAM IS RIGHT.

THE PROPERTY OF ATTRACTING CERTAIN METALS?

LENOX.

>> MAGNETISM.

>> MAGNETISM IS CORRECT.

FUNGUS SHAPED LIKE AN UMBRELLA?

LENOX.

>> MUSHROOM.

>> MUSHROOM IS CORRECT.

BEETLE LARVA THAT INFESTS GRAIN PRODUCTS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AMHERST.

>> MEALWORM.

>> MEALWORM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

SIGN OF IDENTITY FORMED BY THE COMBINED INITIALS OF A NAME?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] AMHERST.

>> MONOGRAM.

>> MONOGRAM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

A STONE BUILDING FOR ENTOMBMENT OF THE DEAD?

LENOX.

>> MAUSOLEUM.

>> MAUSOLEUM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

ONE WHO ADHERES TO THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM?

LENOX.

>> MUSLIM.

>> MUSLIM, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

A SYSTEM USED TO PRODUCE A PARTICULAR RESULT?

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] MECHANISM IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

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

IT STILL COULD BE ANYBODY'S GAME, AS WE MOVE ON WITH OUR SEMI-FINAL MATCH 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 THE QUALIFYING QUESTION CORRECTLY, THEIR OPPONENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPITALIZE AND GET THOSE POINTS.

AS TRADITION HOLDS, THE TEAM THAT IS BEHIND ALSO GETS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

THAT IS AMHERST REGIONAL FOR THIS FIRST SEMI-FINAL MATCH-UP.

AMHERST, WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 30.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 30.

OH, WE HAVE A VIDEO QUALIFIER FOR THIS ONE.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

>> I AM DR. SOPHIA TATIANA SARIGIANIDES FROM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AT WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY WITH YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

PART FOUR OF THIS 18TH-CENTURY NOVEL BY JONATHAN SWIFT IS TITLED, "A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYNHNMS".

TO QUALIFY, NAME THE BOOK?

>> "GULLIVER'S TRAVELS".

>> "GULLIVER'S TRAVELS," YES, THAT IS CORRECT, ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB, LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

MORE BOOKS INVOLVING VARIOUS ADVENTURES AND TRAVELS.

THESE ARE FOR 10 POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

WRITTEN BY MADELEINE L'ENGLE, THIS STORY TELLS OF THE INTERGALACTIC JOURNEY OF MEG, CHARLES AND CALVIN BY MEANS OF A FIFTH-DIMENSIONAL PHENOMENON KNOWN AS TESSERACT.

NAME THE NOVEL?

>> "A WRINKLE IN TIME".

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT, LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

WRITTEN BY MAURICE SENDAK, THIS STORY FOLLOWS A BOY NAMED MAX AS HE EMBARKS ON AN IMAGINARY JOURNEY TO AN ISLAND INHABITED BY FRIGHTENING BEASTS.

NAME THIS BOOK?

>> "WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE".

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

FINALLY, LET'S GO WITH THIS ONE.

THIS CLASSIC JULES VERNE NOVEL, FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1872, TELLS OF THE TIME-SPECIFIC TRAVELS OF PHILEAS FOGG AND HIS VALET AS THEY SET OUT ON A TRANS-GLOBAL JOURNEY.

NAME THIS NOVEL?

>> "AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS".

>> YES, YOU'RE CORRECT, VERY NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, LENOX, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE EVENING, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 30.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 30.

WE HAVE A VIDEO QUALIFIER, SO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

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

GERRYMANDERING IS THE PRACTICE OF DIVIDING OR ARRANGING A TERRITORIAL UNIT INTO ELECTION DISTRICTS IN A WAY THAT GIVES ONE POLITICAL PARTY AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN ELECTIONS.

TO QUALIFY, SPELL THE WORD GERRYMANDERING?

>> G-E-R-R-Y- M-A-N-D-E-R- I-N-G. >> YES, YOU'RE CORRECT, ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB ON THAT ONE.

MORE ABOUT GERRYMANDERING, THESE ARE FOR 10 POINTS EACH.

WHAT WAS THE FULL NAME OF THE BOSTON POLITICIAN WHO SIGNED A BILL CREATING PARTISAN ELECTORAL DISTRICTS THAT FAVORED HIS POLITICAL PARTY?

>> JERRY.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT, THE CORRECT ANSWER IS ELBRIDGE GERRY IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S TRY THIS ONE, MOVING ON.

IN WHAT YEAR WAS THE TERM FIRST USED?

1812, 1852, OR 1892?

>> 1892.

>> SORRY, CORRECT ANSWER IS 1812.

ALL RIGHT, FINALLY, LET'S GO WITH THIS ONE.

GERRY WENT ON TO BE ELECTED AS THE FIFTH U.S. VICE PRESIDENT IN 1812.

NAME THE PRESIDENT THAT HE SERVED UNDER?

>> MADISON.

>> JAMES MADISON, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

AMHERST REGIONAL, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 30.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 30.

TO QUALIFY, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN FOR THIS ONE.

THE MILLION MAN MARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

TOOK PLACE IN WHAT YEAR?

WAS IT 1991, 1993, 1995, OR 1997?

>> 1991.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LENOX, CAN YOU CAPITALIZE?

>> 1993.

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS 1995.

LENOX, YOUR TURN ONCE AGAIN.

PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 30.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 30.

HERE WE GO WITH YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

WHICH OF NEWTON'S THREE LAWS OF MOTION IS ILLUSTRATED BY THIS EXAMPLE?

IF AIR IS LET OUT OF A BALLOON QUICKLY, AIR PUSHES DOWN AND THE BALLOON GOES UP?

>> THE THIRD LAW.

>> THIRD LAW, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

WHICH OF NEWTON'S THREE LAWS OF MOTION IS ILLUSTRATED BY EACH OF THESE EXAMPLES?

THIS IS FOR 10 POINTS EACH, HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

A BOWLING BALL HITS THE PINS, SENDING THEM FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS FOR A STRIKE?

>> THE FIRST LAW.

>> YES, FIRST LAW OF MOTION IS CORRECT.

NEXT ONE-- A FIREMAN TURNS ON HIS HOSE AND IS KNOCKED BACKWARDS?

>> THE THIRD LAW.

>> THIRD, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

FINALLY-- USING THE SAME FORCE, A BOY CAN THROW A BASEBALL FARTHER THAN A SHOTPUT BECAUSE THE BASEBALL WEIGHS LESS?

>> THE SECOND LAW.

>> SECOND, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, AMHERST, YOUR TURN, AGAIN, TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> LITERATURE FOR 30.

>> LITERATURE FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

BRIANNA BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL DRESS AT THE MALL.

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

>> ADJECTIVE.

>> ADJECTIVE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

LET'S TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF PARTS OF SPEECH.

I'LL READ A SENTENCE AND THEN ASK YOU A QUESTION.

THIS IS FOR 10 POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

"ROBERT KNOCKED ON THE DOOR BUT NOBODY ANSWERED."

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

>> CONJUNCTION.

>> CONJUNCTION, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

"WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT I WANT TO GO TO THAT RESTAURANT!"

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

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] SORRY, TIME IS UP, CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS INTERJECTION.

FINALLY, "SAM DROVE A VERY FAST CAR."

WHAT PART OF SPEECH IS THE WORD "VERY" IN THIS SENTENCE?

>> AN ADVERB.

>> ADVERB, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, LENOX, ONCE AGAIN, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 25.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 25.

TO QUALIFY, REGINA IS THE CAPITAL CITY OF WHAT CANADIAN PROVINCE?

>> MANITOBA.

>> I'M SORRY THAT IS INCORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, AMHERST REGIONAL, CAN YOU CAPITALIZE?

>> ALBERTA.

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS SASKATCHEWAN.

LET'S MOVE ON WITH AMHERST, ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TURN.

>> ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 30, PLEASE.

>> LAST OF THE 30'S, HERE WE GO.

TO QUALIFY, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

THIS ACTRESS WAS NOMINATED THREE TIMES FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS, BUT HASN'T WON.

HER MOST RECENT NOMINATION WAS FOR THE 2019 FILM, "LITTLE WOMEN".

NAME HER?

>> SAOIRSE RONAN.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT, ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

HERE ARE CLUES TO SEVERAL MORE STARS NOMINATED MORE THAN ONCE FOR ACADEMY AWARDS FOR BEST ACTOR OR ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE, BUT NEVER WON.

I'LL NAME THE FILMS THEY WERE NOMINATED FOR, YOU TELL ME THE ACTOR OR ACTRESS.

FOR 10 POINTS EACH, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN FOR THIS ONE.

FIRST-- "FINDING NEVERLAND," "SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON OF FLEET STREET," AND PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL"?

>> JOHNNY DEPP.

>> YES, JOHNNY DEPP IS CORRECT.

TRY "THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT," "BEING JULIA," AND "AMERICAN BEAUTY"?

>> ALLISON JANNEY?

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS ANNETTE BENING.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S TRY THIS ONE, THE LAST ONE IN THE CATEGORY.

"SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" AND "PULP FICTION"?

>> JOHN TRAVOLTA.

>> YES, JOHN TRAVOLTA IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LENOX, YOUR TURN AGAIN TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 25.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 25.

TO QUALIFY-- YOU'VE PICKED THE WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM QUESTION.

ANSWER THE QUALIFIER AND ALL OF THE OTHER CATEGORY QUESTIONS CORRECTLY, YOUR TEAM WINS AN ADDITIONAL 10 POINTS.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK, HERE WE GO, HERE IS THE QUESTION, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE DID NOT LIVE ENTIRELY IN THE 20TH CENTURY?

GEORGE ORWELL, FRIDA KAHLO, OR VINCENT VAN GOGH?

>> VAN GOGH.

>> YES, VAN GOGH IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, A YEAR IN THE LIFE.

TELL ME ANY ONE YEAR IN THE LIFETIME OF EACH HISTORICAL FIGURE I NAME.

FOR FIVE POINTS EACH, OKAY, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN, HERE WE GO.

FIRST UP-- THOMAS JEFFERSON?

>> 1801.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

TRY KING GEORGE THE THIRD OF ENGLAND?

>> 1776.

>> YEP, YOU ARE CORRECT.

FERDINAND MAGELLAN?

>> 1520.

>> 1520 IS CORRECT, HE DIED IN 1521, NICE JOB, ALL RIGHT, LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

JAMES NAISMITH?

>> 1930.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT, PASSED AWAY IN 1939, NICE JOB.

FINALLY, HOW ABOUT ALAN TURING?

>> 1944.

>> 1940-- YES, THAT IS CORRECT, PASSED AWAY IN 1954.

VERY NICE JOB, CLEAN SWEEP, YOUR TEAM WINS AN ADDITIONAL 10 POINTS, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!

ALL RIGHT, AMHERST, IT IS YOUR TURN ONCE AGAIN, PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 25, PLEASE.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 25.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

IN THE GAME OF QUIDDITCH, MADE POPULAR BY THE HARRY POTTER STORIES, HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON EACH TEAM?

>> SEVEN PLAYERS.

>> YES, SEVEN PLAYERS IS CORRECT.

MORE ON TEAM SPORTS.

TELL ME HOW MANY PLAYERS MAKE UP A SINGLE TEAM IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SPORTS?

THESE ARE FOR FIVE POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

FIELD HOCKEY?

>> TWELVE.

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS 11.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S TRY ICE HOCKEY.

>> ELEVEN.

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS SIX.

ALL RIGHT, HOW ABOUT WATER POLO?

>> EIGHT.

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS SEVEN.

ALL RIGHT, TRY BEACH VOLLEYBALL?

>> TWO!

>> TWO, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

OKAY, FINALLY, HOW ABOUT SOCCER?

>> IT'S ELEVEN.

>> ELEVEN, YES, NICE JOB.

AND THAT MARKS THE END OF OUR CAPITALIZATION ROUND.

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

>> HI, I'M CHEYENNE ALCOMBRIGHT FROM WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY AND AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

WE ASKED THE TEAM FROM LENOX MEMORIAL, WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF YOUR AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE?

>> THE BEST PART OF MY ASMW EXPERIENCE IS ALL THE TEAMS I'VE GOTTEN TO COMPETE WITH.

>> THE BEST PART OF MY ASMW EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN LEARNING NEW THINGS ABOUT THE GREAT WORLD WE LIVE IN.

>> MY FAVORITE PART OF THE ASMW EXPERIENCE IS GETTING TO WORK WITH OUR AMAZING LENOX TEAM AND COACHES.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON 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.

YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW YOUR EARTHLY ELEMENTS FOR THIS LIGHTNING ROUND.

EACH ANSWER WILL CONTAIN ONE OF THE FOUR CLASSICAL ELEMENTS-- AIR, WATER, EARTH, OR FIRE.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

PRIVATE PLANE USED TO TRANSPORT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES-- AMHERST.

>> AIR FORCE ONE.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

POTTERY MADE FROM A SLIGHTLY POROUS CLAY AND-- AMHERST.

>> EARTHWARE.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

CRISPY, AQUATIC PLANT OFTEN USED IN CHINESE CUISINE.

AMHERST.

>> KELP.

>> WATER CHESTNUT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

EXPRESSION USED TO CONVEY THE TORMENTS SUFFERED BY SINNERS IN HELL.

[ RINGER AND BUZZER SOUNDS ] LENOX.

>> FIERY INFERNO.

>> FIRE AND BRIMSTONE IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

VERB MEANING TO DISCOVER, EXHUME OR DIG UP.

AMHERST.

>> UNEARTH.

>> UNEARTH, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

REVELATORY DISPLAY ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.

LENOX.

>> FIREWORKS.

>> YES, FIREWORKS IS CORRECT.

1970'S POLITICAL SCANDAL CAUSING PRESIDENT NIXON'S RESIGNATION.

AMHERST.

>> WATERGATE.

>> WATERGATE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

INFLATABLE BED COMMONLY USED WHEN CAMPING.

AMHERST.

>> AIR MATTRESS.

>> AIR MATTRESS, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

PLACE WHERE ELEPHANTS GATHER TO DRINK.

LENOX.

>> WATERING HOLE.

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

TEMPORARY, MUTUAL STOPPAGE OF HOSTILITY IN A BATTLE.

AMHERST.

>> CEASEFIRE.

>> YES, CEASEFIRE IS CORRECT.

BARRIER IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY-- AMHERST.

>> FIREWALL.

>> FIREWALL, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

MILITARY ATTACK ON A SPECIFIC LOCATION BY PLANE-- AMHERST.

>> AIR STRIKE.

>> AIR STRIKE OR AIR RAID, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

BELGIAN SITE OF NAPOLEON'S DEFEAT IN 1815-- LENOX.

>> WATERLOO.

>> WATERLOO, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

WINGED BEETLE THAT USE BIOLUMINESCENCE FOR COURTSHIP PURPOSES?

CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS FIREFLY.

HOWEVER, THAT BELL MARKS THE END OF OUR LAST LIGHTNING ROUND.

IT ALSO MARKS THE END OF OUR VERY FIRST SEMI-FINAL MATCH.

AMHERST REGIONAL, GREAT JOB ON THAT LAST LIGHTNING ROUND.

HOWEVER, THE NUMBER ONE SEED, LENOX MEMORIAL, MOVES ON.

WE WANT TO THANK BOTH TEAMS FOR A REALLY GREAT SEMI-FINAL MATCH-UP TONIGHT.

CONGRATULATIONS, ONCE AGAIN, LENOX MEMORIAL, YOU WILL BE ADVANCING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH.

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 SEMI-FINALS CONTINUE NEXT TIME, ON AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR FOR EVERY STUDENT.

THE MTA: WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE.

>> WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ALLOWED ME TO GROW AND PURSUE MY PASSION TO BECOME A NEUROLOGIST.

I THINK THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IS INVALUABLE.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> ALL SEASON LONG, STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE REGION HAVE TESTED THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON WESTERN NEW ENGLAND'S AWARD-WINNING HIGH SCHOOL QUIZ SHOW, AND NOW IT'S DOWN TO JUST THREE.

NEXT TIME ON AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS, THE SEMI-FINALS CONTINUE AS NUMBER TWO SEED, SMITH ACADEMY, GOES UP AGAINST NUMBER THREE SEED, BELCHERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY'LL BATTLE IT OUT FOR A CHANCE TO MOVE ON TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND COMPETE AGAINST LENOX MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE COVETED COLLAMORE CUP.

IT'S SMITH ACADEMY VERSUS BELCHERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, NEXT TIME ON AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHEN YOUR SCHOOL'S MATCH IS SCHEDULED?

WANT TO KNOW WHO THE PAST ASMW CHAMPIONS ARE?

HAVE A QUESTION YOU'D LIKE TO SEE US ASK?

THEN LOG ON TO THE AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS WEBPAGE AT NEPM.ORG.

YOU CAN SEE THE SEASON'S ROSTER, A LISTING OF PAST ASMW 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.

[ ♪♪♪ ]