Knights win district scholar bowl

Over the years, Farmington High School has fielded some great teams which is evident from the banners that hang from the rafters in the school’s gymnasium. Soon, a new team banner will be added to the collection.

For the first time in 17 years, Farmington High School has brought home the Varsity Scholar Bowl MSSHA District 1 championship when they rallied to defeat Cape Girardeau Central High in the finals on April 18.

“We always have talented kids at Farmington, but this group is making school history,” said Principal Nathan Hostetler. “In the 17 years the school has sponsored a team, these kids are the first to advance to sectionals, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Although they are well-skilled team, Saturday’s match up had the Farmington scholars on the ropes when they fell behind by 70 points in the first quarter of play.

“Our team demonstrated a great deal of grit,” said Dr. Brian Reeves, the team’s instructor and teacher. “We came back from a 70-point deficit in the first quarter of the final match to win against Cape Central 350 to 310.”

With a deficit that would typically stop most teams, Farmington exemplified their uncanny ability to play as a team.

“We have good chemistry as a team,” said junior Adam Womack, a member of the team. “We have known each other for a long time. Most teams have only one main guy…where our team is very well rounded.”

According to Brandon McIntyre, junior varsity coach, the key to Farmington’s success was the depth of their players. Each person had their strong suit and they played to those strengths.

Reeves agreed with McIntyre’s assessment about how hard the team worked to make more well-rounded competitors.

“We worked on shoring up an area we were short in,” Reeves said. “They would get together, figure out our shortcomings and then work at getting those answers.”

Some detractors may see the scholar bowl as another night of trivia pursuit, but members of the team beg to differ.

“There is much more to this than another night of trivia,” said junior Michael McNamara. “Most of the questions are much more academic”

According to junior Nicholas Cassimatis, part of the team’s strategy was knowing some of the obscure facts about a topic. By doing so, they can build of the clues from the questions.

“Sometimes it is the way the question is asked,” Cassimatis said. “If you know some of the obscure facts it allows you to buzz in faster, but a lot of it is just paying attention in class.”

Although the team is serious about competing and winning every question, they do have fun.

“We know a lot facts,” McNamara said. “We might as well use them. It’s the only place were people will appreciate the fact.”

Senior Kevin Davis joked the team had to win districts because he didn’t want to have to fail a couple of classes so he could play next year.

In addition to winning the district trophy, junior Jordan Malugen and McNamara earned all-district status

The team will now advance to sectionals and host Oakville at home on April 29.

After 17 years, the Farmington Knights Scholar Bowl team made history by winning the district championship on Saturday with a victory over Cape Central High School 350 to 310. The Knights will advance to sectionals to face off against Oakville High School on April 29.  Pictured are (front row, from left) Louis Ruiz, Jackson Shinkle, Michael McNamara and Adam Womack. Back row, from left: Jordan Malugen, Nicholas Cassimatis, Kevin Davis and Coach Dr. Brian Reeves. 

Craig Vaughn is a reporter for the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-518-3629 or at cvaughn@farmingtonpressonline.com