HVA B vs. Grace a tight one: Scholars Bowl first round
“This is the Scholar’s Bowl’s 21st season,” said Frank Murphy, host of the event. “Hardin Valley has put (two) teams into the tournament again this year.”
Grace Christian’s team, consisting of Isaiah Pointer, team captain Kate Mullins, Kyle Spurlock and Lauren Thornton, will proceed to the next level, the so-called “Threshold of 32,” which will aire on PBS (WETP-TV) beginning at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20. They are coached by history teacher Beth Anderson. Alternates were Addie Anders, Trinity Onchik, Alex Steddam and Daniel Vont.
HVA’s B team, consisting of Arturo Hernandez. Julian Lee, team captain Jake Laws and Rahma Al-Qasir, with alternate Austin Chin, started strong in the first round on Jan. 15, gaining 30 points early.
However, GCS caught up in the second half. GCS continued to score with correct answers, not only catching up but racing ahead of HVA.
HVA, coached by social studies teacher Nicholas Delos Santos and science teacher Nancy Busch, and GCS are among 46 high schools — public, private and homeschool — in 18 counties that are competing for the Frank Miller Memorial Trophy and a $1,000 cash prize.
Each correct answer garnered 10 points, while bonus points answered garnered 20. The teams answered questions in literature, language, science, art, math, geography, music, sports, history, religion, technology, current events and other subjects.
Among the many questions they had to answer were: What is the Spanish word for Tuesday (Martes)? Who is the author of “The Prince and the Pauper (Mark Twain)?” What is the setting for George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” (London)? Which continent has no volcanoes that have erupted in the last 4,500 years (Australia)?
Each game is a single elimination match. Winning teams advance to rounds of 32, 16, eight and four before the final two teams compete for the 2025 Scholars Bowl championship on WETP.
On Friday, Jan. 24, Webb School of Knoxville will compete against Sequoyah on PBS.
Christian Academy of Knoxville will face Hardin Valley Academy Team A Wednesday, Feb. 5; Webb will go against Career Magnet School Monday, Feb. 10; and Knoxville Catholic will compete against Harriman Friday, Feb. 14.
The final first-round match involving local schools finds Farragut squaring off versus Rockwood Thursday, Feb. 20.
