Up to NSSC 2008: Photos

Photos: NSSC 2008: Final Round 1

Click on contact sheet photos to see larger, edited versions. Click on the following phrase to see all photos in one page. Huge original files may be available upon e-mailed request.

Caption List

• The NSA's Jane R Williams, explains that we'll need to cooperate in the room by not screaming so loudly that the players are able to hear us elsewhere in the building. The players are shown on the screen behind her.
• Jason Katz-Brown, one of the final game's annotators, wishes the students good luck.
• Standing room only in the theater room.
• The other side of the playing room, every seat full!
• AP photographer zeros in on a shot of Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT) as Atlanta Tucker Community Center (GA) watches quietly. Jason Katz-Brown and Gregg Foster, check out angles and the annotation software setup.
• Ben Greenwood and the sea of camera operators prepare in the final minutes before the game begins.
• Atlanta Tucker Community Center (GA).
• Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT)
• One last shot of the big board and the annotators.
• Joel Sherman emceeing in the theatre room, goes over some background information on the students.
• Joel Sherman, our emcee.
• Cornelia Guest, coach of Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT).
• Ben Greenwood speaks to the players prior to the game beginning.
• SCRABBLE chocolate bars provided to every theater attendee!
• Atlanta Tucker Community Center (GA) families/parents/coaches.
• Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT) families/parents/coaches and some students in their row, too.
• Buckley Country Day (NY) player gets comfy.
• Midway through the game, LEZ* was played, challenged, and called off the board.
• Joel Sherman kicks back on stage and talks with Stefan Fatsis, who will the co-host of ESPN's show about this game and the NSSC 2008.
• Ben Greenwood discussing the challenge with the players.
• The finished board, as it was played. Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT) wins the NSSC 2008, for the second year in a row.
• Another shot of the completed game.
• John D. Williams, Jr., discussing how and when the students can be brought back to the theater room for the awards ceremony.
• Stefan Fatsis, John D. Williams, Jr., and Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT) looks over the complete board.
• ESPN cohosts, Ben Lyons and Stefan Fatsis, look over the completed board with the students.
• The students cheer as the finalists are led into the theater room.
• John D. Williams, Jr., and the four finalists Atlanta Tucker Community Center (GA) and Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT).
• John D. Williams, Jr., and the four finalists Atlanta Tucker Community Center (GA) and Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT).
• John D. Williams, Jr., and the and the 2008 NSSC champions, Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT).
• John D. Williams, Jr., and Hasbro's Jay Bruns presenting the giant check to the 2008 NSSC champions, Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT).
• John D. Williams, Jr., and Hasbro's Jay Brun flanking the 2008 NSSC champions, Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT). Here Logan Rosen thanks the organziers and participants.
• John D. Williams, Jr., and Hasbro's Jay Brun flanking the 2008 NSSC champions, Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT). Matt Silver, the event's first ever two-time winner, takes a turn thanking the event organizers.
• High Win (Grade 5): Solomon Schechter Day School (Newton) Team 3 (MA).
• High Win (Grade 6): Ridgefield Library Team 1 (CT).
• High Win (Grade 7): Dalton School (NY).
• High Win (Grade 8): Evangelical Christian School Team 1 (TN).
• High Win (Mixed Grade): Randolph Middle School (NC).
• High Bingo: Ridgefield Library Team 1 (CT) for the 167-point FLEETING!
• High Loss: Hopkinton Middle School Team 1 (MA) (with a 426-442 loss to Princeton Day School (NJ)).
• Best Sportsmanship: Lexington Montessori School Team 3 (MA) (for agreeing to play and make our numbers even for the event).
• 10th place: Our Lady of Victory (MD) Team 3 (MD) and their coach, Sharon Mosher.
• 9th place: Hopkinton Middle School Team 2 (MA), and their coach, Seth Lipkin.
• 8th place: San Benancio Middle School (CA) and their coach, Michele Hardoin.
• 7th place: Texas State Champions - Trinity Bend Christian School (TX), and their coach, Lynn Sneed.
• 6th place: Lexington MA SCRABBLE Club No. 108 (MA). Their coach, Ellen Cohen, was unable to attend. Mohini's father poses with the team.
• 5th place: Evangelical Christian School Team 1 (TN), and their coach, Ryan Porter.
• 4th place: Pennichuck School (NH), and their coach, Devra Cohen.
• 3rd place: Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (MA), and their coach, Karla Morris.
• 2nd place: Atlanta Tucker Community Center (GA). Their coach, Dave Liefer, was unable to attend. Joey's father, Michael Krafchick, poses with the team.
• NSSC 2008 Champions: Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT), and their coach, Cornelia Guest.
• Ben Greenwood, Matt Silver, Logan Rosen (of Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT)), and their coach Cornelia Guest.
• Ben Greenwood, Matt Silver, Logan Rosen (of Westport SCRABBLE Club (CT)), and their coach Cornelia Guest.
• Joel Kwarlter (of CPRD-Oak Creek (OR)) gets his event cap signed by Joel Sherman.