BY FABIAN LEDGISTER, Staff Reporter
Belair High school quiz team. From left are Jevaughn DeSilva, Kerri-Kay Leon, Kaydene DeSilva and Rory DeSilva. - RICARDO MAKYN
MANDEVILLE'S BELAIR HIGH earned themselves a place in the quarter-finals of TVJ's Schools' Challenge Quiz, after a close victory against Camperdown High.
They won the match with a close score of 16-15, indicating that despite their win, much improvement is needed.
INJECTION OF HUMOUR
The match began on a fairly positive note, with both teams performing well. There was an injection of humour into the match, as Belair's captain, Jevaughn DeSilva, responded to a question, what the abbreviation B.J.T. meant (Bipolar Junction Transistor), by saying, "Ballistic Missile."
The match remained evenly matched, as the teams tied at two, five, and six points before ending the first segment.
The second segment saw a disappointing lack of knowledge from both teams, as Belair passed seven times, still less than Camperdown High, who passed 12 times.
But while both teams gave mediocre performances the similarity in the pace at which they were gaining points gave an air of excitement to the match. By the end of the segment Belair High barely held the lead with 14 points, over Camperdown High's 13 points.
APPREHENSIVE
Silence reigned in the 'buzzer segment', as the teams appeared to be apprehensive in giving responses, in fear of losing points. Two correct responses from female team members, Kerri-Kay Leon and Kaydene DeSilva, carried Belair's score to 18, but an incorrect response would reduce their score to 16 points.
Camperdown could have regained the lead as they answered more questions in the third round, but for each correct response given, they followed with an incorrect answer.
At the final buzzer, the score stood at 16 points for Belair High, and 13 points for Camperdown High. However, Camperdown received two additional points for a question that had previously been judged incorrect.
The tears and angry comments from one of Camperdown's team members of "being cheated," were disputed by team coach, Michael Young, who attested that the match's outcome was correct.
"It was a fairly challenging match for both teams. We missed a lot of chances, but the team is young and were not composed so they lost," said Young.
Team coach for Belair, Rachel Hall, attempted to console the crying Camperdown team member, but disrespectful remarks from the student led her to cease her efforts.
"He felt we shouldn't have won, but I believe my team earned their victory ... it seems we still have lots of work to do. They are capable to do better but a lot more strengthening is needed," said Hall.
TEAM MEMBERS
Belair High: Jevaughn DeSilva
Kerri-Kay Leon
Kaydene DeSilva
Rory DeSilva
Camperdown High: Everal Daley
Courtney Litchmore
Jamhi Williamson
Machel Rayner
Next Match: Manchester High versus Morant Bay High
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