Maya Parker
MC301 Contributor
The Jackson State University Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) team has amped up training in hopes of bringing home the championship. HCASC Nationals are scheduled to be held from April 2-6 in Torrance, Calif.
Three out of the four team members compete in the tournament that require each of the three face-off rounds be played individually. The team is only allowed to confer during the bonus questions that is given if the individual answers a face-off question correctly.
“I think I need to review the areas that I am weak in, so if it does come up again, I will be able to hold my own and not rely on the others for help,” said Zaveon Cooper, a junior mass communication major from Jackson, Miss. and HCASC team member.
In addition to individual preparation, the remaining members of the team have taken it upon themselves to help the national team study in different areas that they feel need more attention. This method not only to helps the national team prep, but also prepares the entire team for future competitions.
“In order for us to have a successful outcome at nationals, the team, as a whole, has to come together and help each other study their weaknesses. We have a strong team, but once these weaknesses have been mastered, the team will be a force to be reckoned with,” said Farah Christmas, history instructor at JSU and campus coordinator for the team.
Practice consists of not only studying different material, but a series of tasks that can better the entire team. The team can play a game similar to the actual games that are played during the tournament; or the team can play slapjack, which helps with buzzer training.
“Each practice is setup to get every member of the team comfortable with playing the game, as well as work as a team. The group can split up to where you have some members playing the actual game and others can test their buzzer skills or either their knowledge by answering quick buzzes. Also, they can study their book that was provided, which includes study material that range from science, history, literature, pop culture, and so on,” said Joshua Cotton, an adjunct instructor and coach for HCASC.
The team is only required to practice three days out of the week, but with nationals right around the corner they have decided to practice every day.
Jackson State’s HCASC team placed second in the National Qualifying Tournaments, which took place on Feb. 6 on the campus of Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. to earn a bid for the championship.
The team competed in a total of six games against some of America’s top Historically Black College and Universities, including Alabama State University, Florida A & M University, and Tuskegee University just to name a few.
According to the HCASC website, the HCASC began in 1989 and is the first–ever academic competition between students at America’s HBCUs. Throughout its twenty year history, HCASC has been the only annual academic competition between the nation’s HBCUs, touching over 50,000 students and awarding monetary grants to participating schools.
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