White Cloud Quiz Bowl Back at States!

From left to right: Coach Stephen Smith, Jarrett Warlick, Samuel Viher, Captain Brian Schaefer, Wyatt Karnes, and Coach Emeritus Tony McHattie

by Stephen Smith

Springtime is finally here, and once again, the highly-touted, vaunted White Cloud Varsity Quiz Bowl Team (8-2) traversed to the campus of Michigan State University for the 2024 Class C/D Michigan High School State Championship. The competition featured 22 brilliant contingents from both peninsulas of the great state of Michigan. The venerable vanguard triumphed over many in the field of play, earning a 3rd-place finish overall and has now impressively qualified to national tournaments for the 7th time this season.

In an absolutely blistering pace during the preliminary rounds, White Cloud decisively overwhelmed Napoleon (410-60), obliterated New Buffalo (390-45), routed Jonesville (290-70), thrashed Pewamo-Westphalia (315-165), and annihilated Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (440-55). For all their success, White Cloud was awarded the top seed for the championship bracket. Entering the fray of the championship rounds, the formidable foursome prevailed 285-215 over Gwinn, an impressive squad hailing from the Upper Peninsula. The Indians faltered in their next match against the eventual champion, Hillsdale Academy, (165-335). Displaying incredible resiliency, the team bounced back with a victory over Roscommon (295-100). In a heartbreaker, the squad fell to the runner-up, Saugatuck, in an unbelievably tight contest (215-225). Fighting through adversity, exhibiting unrelenting determination, this excellent ensemble finished the day with a victory over Manchester (260-185). With their academic prowess on full display, the players notched a staggering 3,060 points in total, and averaged 306 ppg as a team. 

The top 22 teams in their finishes were as follows: Hillsdale Academy (1st), Saugatuck (2nd), White Cloud (3rd), Gwinn (4th), Roscommon (5th), Manchester (6th), Kalamazoo Christian (7th tie), Holton (7th tie), New Buffalo (9th tie), Sandusky (9th tie), Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (9th), Springport (12th), White Pigeon (13th tie), Charlevoix (14th), Deckerville (15th), Napoleon (16th), Carsonville-Port Sanilac (17th), Pewamo-Westphalia (18th tie), Jonesville (18th tie), Nouvel Catholic (20th), Perry (21st) and Clintondale (22nd).

Focusing on individual efforts, White Cloud’s intelligentsia was led in scoring by senior captain Brian Schaefer, who bombarded his adversaries with an astronomical 600 total points. As the sensational squad’s fearless leader, Brain provided consistent, positive leadership, earning 1st-Team All-State honors in the process. He now holds the distinguishable achievement of being the only three-time All-State player in the storied program of White Cloud Quiz Bowl. Following his illustrious leader into battle, All-Conference Samuel Viher barraged the team’s foes with 250 points. All-Conference Jarrett Warlick blasted the competition with an additional 195 points. Finally, All-Conference Wyatt Karnes blitzed the challengers with 185 points, which effectively demonstrated a well-rounded, complete team effort. Furthermore, on an individual basis, White Cloud competitors ranked in the top third of the 119 players who participated in the preliminary rounds, exhibiting, yet again, the extraordinary talent of the team.

With this remarkable finish in the state tournament, White Cloud has qualified to national tournaments for the 27th time in school history. In addition, this is the 35th occasion that White Cloud has qualified for the state competition, an all-time Class C/D record, cementing the legacy and tradition of the quiz bowl program. 

Coach Stephen Smith and the team would like to specifically thank coach emeritus Tony McHattie and assistant coaches Allison McPhall, Arnie Baker, and Dallas Dowling. In addition, the team would like to extend their gratitude to all the parents, teachers, administrators, donors, and community members for their continued support of the quiz bowl team. Without you, none of the team’s success would be possible. 

The NAQT Small School National Championship Tournament will be held in Chicago on April 26-28, 2024. Stay tuned for more updates!

Individual Scoring Statistics     
Name:                               Preliminary Rounds                      Playoffs Rounds:
Brian Schaefer:               360 Pts     72 PPG                             240 Pts      48 PPG
Samuel Viher                   180 Pts     36 PPG                             70 Pts       14 PPG
Wyatt Karnes:                   120 Pts    24 PPG                             65 Pts       13 PPG
Jarrett Warlick:                 95 Pts      19 PPG                           100 Pts      20 PPG