Power of Math Proven in NJ

[archiver]

Posted by Wayne Cokeley at 03/18/2001 7:06 AM EST


Coach on team #25, Raider Robotix, from North Brunswick Twp. H.S. and Bristol-Myers Squibb.


In Reply to: I greatly disagree
Posted by Dan Baker on 03/17/2001 8:00 PM EST:



: : the finals match at the NJ competition was amazing. it is as follows in terms of A's and B's:
: : A: 89
: : B: 464
: : B: 102
: : A: 472
: : B: 552
: : A: 552
: : avg A: 370
: : avg B: 372.6
: : what was even more amazing was that in every single round for both teams, there was room for at least one more small ball. one more ball from either team would have won the competition outright. Especially amazing is that alliance A didn't know how many small balls were needed in the goal to win. Their strategy was based on needing 10 small balls in order to win. Before people go into a match, they should know exactly what they need to score. I almost screamed when they pulled away from the human player and only had 9 balls in the goal. there was no suspense, i knew 30 seconds into the round that they lost. It was still an awesome match with an amazing score, don't get me wrong, but i just think teams need a player or coach that knows point totals (and can do quick algebra) inside and out.
: : On a related note, this is the reason John (captain of team 250) kept throwing balls at the goal as it was moving away and thankfully sank his hail mary shot form half-court. just my 2 cents.
: : sorry if it sounds like i was bashing ya 365, 303, 191, and 103. that was not my intention. i only hope that we can all learn from this.
: : as woody said in our regionals and i think it is more applicable here, "I couldn't have scripted a more exciting and close match." or something like that.

: : brad

: I greatly disagree with your view of how the match went down and where the errors were. First, it would have been impossible to know 30sec into the match that it was going to be lost because it wasn't lost, it was actually tied. The lose wouldn't come until after all the matches due to the tie. Second, while the finals could have been won by having simply another ball in the goal, there would have been great risk involved in making that final shot. Were the ball to seat poorly it might prevent a big ball from being placed on top, which would have spelled certain defeat. Also it would have taken additional time, time which was greatly needed.
: Both sides played increadibly hard and did an absoulty fantastic job. We had a spectacular alliance with 303, 191 and 103 who were really some of the best robots to play on that field. I think trying to second guess such a gray area as that extra ball would have been amounts to mere foolishness, to many factors were involved.
: I'd also like to congratulate everyone that was involved at the mid atlantic regional. Each match was exciting and there was a lot of really neat robots on the field. I look forward to seeing everyone again at Nationals, and i wish them good luck in whatever regionals they may have left.

: -Dan Baker
: (Team 365)

The elimination rounds at Rutgers were one of the most memorable competitions I have enver seen. Under the intense pressure, the noise, mass hysteria and confusion involved with the rush of the finals it is amazing how all the teams involved performed. One ball more or less, a toppled 10 pointer, 5 more seconds- these variables are impossible to follow under the circumstances. But then that's the competition isn't it?
Team 25 wishes to thank all of our fellow teams for a truly great regional filled with excitement and suspense and we would like to congratulate all of our friends on both the winning and runner up alliances. We are looking forward to seeing everybody in Orlando.