MIDDLESBORO — Middlesboro High School Academic Team won first place in the 2007-08 Scholar’s Bowl held in Knoxville. Second place was won by Daniel Boone High School, Gray, Tennessee, in Washington County. Middlesboro’s winning academic team consisted of Matthew Fox, Captain; Akash Patel; Katie Owen; Melanie Uy; Stephanie Smith; Morgan Wilson; and Roger Uy. The coaches are Jennifer Knight and Sandra Wilson. The whole Middlesboro team was present to watch the competition.

The 24th annual Scholar’s Bowl was comprised of 50 high school teams within the East Tennessee Public Television viewing area competing for the right to participate in the national academic competition. These teams represented school systems large and small, private, public and home school. The competition was open to all high school students grades 9-12.

Teams were asked questions on a variety of subjects including geography, mathematics, science, history and current events. Play lasted for 19 minutes and 10 points were awarded for the toss up question which both teams are eligible to answer. The winner of the toss up is asked a follow up bonus question worth 20 points.

The following teams participated in Scholar’s Bowl: Middlesboro, Pigeon Forge, Claiborne County, Alcoa, Carter, Knoxville Catholic, Rutledge, Bearden, Gibbs, Cosby, Scott County, Webb, Sweetwater, Halls, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Happy Valley, Knoxville West, West Knoxville Homeschool, Temple Baptist Academy Roane Co. Powell, Cherokee, Knoxville Central, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Lenoir City, Dobyns-Bennett, Maryville Christian, Oak Ridge, Cocke Co., Loudon County, Morristown East, Midway, Campbell Co., Oneida, Daniel Boone, Heritage, Harriman, Unicoi County, Greeneville, Rhea County, Rockwood, Grace Christian Academy, Sequoyah, Oliver Springs, Sevier Co., Seymour, Maryville, David Crockett, and Farragut.

Middlesboro won round two over Cherokee High School 255-70. The third round, Middlesboro won 255-70, to defeat defending champions Dobyns-Bennett High School. In the quarterfinals Middlesboro defeated Knoxville West High School, last year’s second place winner, 280-215. Middlesboro went against Christian Academy of Knoxville, the highest scoring team in Scholars Bowl history, defeating them 250-190. In the championship game Middlesboro downed Daniel Boone High School, 260-125.

Middlesboro’s team and their coaches, Jennifer Kight and Sandra Wilson, received $1,300, a laptop computer, the traveling trophy and the right to compete nationally, in Chicago. The second place team, Daniel Boone High School, won $700. The Knoxville News Sentinel and the University of Tennessee furnished every student and coach a specially-designed T-shirt. The top four teams received plaques for their schools.

East Tennessee Public Television will air the competition January 7, 2008, at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.

(Photo above: The Middlesboro High School Academic Team won first place in the 2007-08 Scholar’s Bowl, held in Knoxville and sponsored by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville News Sentinel and Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Pictured top to bottom are: Standing, Emily Honeycutt and Hannah Spangler. Seated are: Allison Givens, Kelly Cline, Robin Kaw and Adam Crawford. Second row standing are: Morgan Wilson, Stephanie Smith, Roger Uy, Sandra Wilson (Coach), Jennifer Kight (Coach), Sarah Parker, Heather Gambrel and Emily Constanzo. Seated at front are: Akash Patel, Matthew Fox (Captain), Katie Owen and Melanie Uy. Photo Submitted)