By Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

Since entering the competition, the girls of Immaculate Conception High have consistently improved each year, proving their institution's premier status by defeating Edwin Allen High, 29-20, in the first round of TVJ's Schools' Challenge Quiz.

Though most expected the SCQ veteran school to take the win in round one's 27th match, the combination of Edwin Allen's mediocre performance and an immaculate fight from the girls in white and blue resulted in packed bags for the rural institution.

Both teams seemed levelled in the first minutes of the match, with Edwin Allen showing a superiority in general and mathematical questions, and Immaculate dominating the geographical and scientific areas.

Despite their lack of communication and synergy, Edwin Allen ended the first segment on top, with nine versus Immaculate's six.

It soon became evident that the teams were evenly matched in knowledge, but the trained discipline of Immaculate shone in the speed segment, as the team played in unison and maximised time by passing when necessary.

They clocked an impressive eight points in their first minute, setting a pace that would see them take the lead by the end of the segment. Edwin Allen were by no means outclassed, but lack of communication again played to their demise, as passes were made without team consensus on two occasions. The segment ended with Edwin Allen on 20 points and Immaculate ahead with 23.

Commendable

The combined brainpower of team captain Candice Walton and fellow teammate Christina Wauchope, led the Immaculate girls to a commendable performance in the buzzer segment. The disappointing performance from Edwin Allen continued, however, as they lost the four points, due to incorrect responses.

The Immaculate girls, on the other hand, maintained their discipline and communicated well before pressing the buzzer, resulting in eight points, and only two lost in the segment. They won the match decisively with 29 points, over Edwin Allen's final score of 20.

Team coach for Edwin Allen, Carlington Burrell, was evidently aghast at the substandard performance of his team.

"They were nervous and didn't play how they should have. By the buzzer segment everything went haywire, they were way below their true standard," he said.

Satisfied

Immaculate's coach, Duane Burke, was satisfied with his team, as they displayed their evidently-intense training.

"This was a clinical effort. They did as asked, and maintained their composure ..." said Burke.

Team member Christina Wauchope also expressed her emotions on the win, and the flawed SCQ prediction that they would lose, saying, "We came to do our best, and that's what we did, and as for the prediction, they were wrong!"

TEAMS

Immaculate Conception High: Anika Richardo, Alyssa Lewis, Christina Wauchope and Candice Walton (team captain).

Edwin Allen High: Damia Russell (team captain), Joan Hill, Romaine Craig and Mikhail Graham.

Next Match: Bridgeport High versus Dinthill Technical High.