L-Town Expatriate wrote:Via a text from Coach Allen:
Hallsville will play Round 17. If they win, Hallsville will play an advantaged final against the other game's winner. If they lose, the two winners from Round 17 will play Round 18, with the winner facing Hallsville in a one-game final.
Thus, if I'm reading this right, Hallsville are already assured of a spot in the Championship Game.
Ahh... that's what it is. I knew the last team standing in the winners bracket got some kind of additional advantage; just couldn't remember exactly what it was.
The 6 remaining teams are:
1) Hallsville [undefeated]
2) Harmony Science North Austin [1 loss; lost final winner's bracket game]
Four remaining teams in elimination bracket: AMSA, Cumberland, Glasgow, Litchfield
Based on that information, I think Hallsville and Harmony both have round 16 byes, guaranteeing a spot in the top 4. Round 16 will have two games among the four elimination teams; the teams that lose that are tied for 5th.
In round 17, Hallsville will play one of the round 16 winners; Harmony will play the other.
If Hallsville wins, there is only one one-loss team left, so that starts an advantaged final, with Hallsville having the advantage. The losers of the round 17 games will presumably play for 3rd/4th.
If Hallsville loses, there are three one-loss teams left. By winning the winners bracket, Hallsville is awarded the bye and thus a spot in the championship game, to play the winner of the round 18 game in a one-game final. There might be a 3rd/4th place game here too; I'm not sure.
If this is correct, that means the four most recent pyramidal high school quizbowl national championship finals games (2014 SSNCT, 2013 NASAT, 2013 NSC, 2013 HSNCT) will have each featured a team from Missouri! (And if Harmony is the opponent, all 4 will have been MO vs. TX!)