MHS Scholastic Bowl Coach Brian Bartoz submitted the press release and photos.
Morrison High School’s Scholastic Bowl team achieved a fourth-place finish at the Masonic Sectional Tournament, at Prophetstown[, IL,] High School on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Fulton High School, which maintained a 6-1 record throughout the day, finishing in first place, among eight teams at the event. United High School (Monmouth, IL,) finished in second place, and Annawan High School achieved a third-place finish.
Players answered questions about science, math, social studies, literature, and other academic subjects, in the 32-question format used in the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl.
Morrison started the competition with solid wins over United HS (230-180) and Putnam County HS (280-160.) In Round 3, Morrison lost to Annawan HS by a score of 220-160. In Rounds 4-6, Morrison logged more victories, including a win over Erie-Prophetstown HS (240-160) in Round 4 and a victory over Forreston HS (250-190) in Round 5.
Morrison’s team was especially pleased with its 180-140 win over Fulton HS in Round 6. Fulton’s loss in Round 6 to Morrison was its only loss of the day.
In Round 7, Morrison trailed Ashton-Franklin Center HS (AFC) for the first quarter of the match, but the Mustangs picked up steam as the match continued. By the mid-point of the match, both schools were tied at 100 points apiece. AFC ultimately won the hard-fought match by a score of 170-160.
As a result of its first-place finish, Fulton HS will have the opportunity to compete in the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl’s State Tournament in Bloomington, IL, on Saturday, March 4.
Morrison’s team left-to-right consisted of Lisa Hardesty, Violet Mills, Team Captain Mark Cyphers, Blaine Williams, and Dylan Anderson.
“I would like to thank all of the parents who turned out on February 18 to support Morrison’s team,” said Coach Brian Bartoz. “I’d also like to recognize Dunlap Lodge #321 in Morrison, for paying the team’s $150 entry fee to compete, in the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl, and for offering its encouragement each year. Tournament Director Herman Albers, members of Masonic lodges across Illinois. Coaches Emily Higgins and Steve Stoner at Prophetstown HS invested a great deal of time and effort, to ensure a successful competition on Saturday, as did Coaches who hosted the tournament at sites across Illinois.”
For the 2022-23 season, Morrison has a remarkable 11-0 record in the Three Rivers Conference, and a 29-10 overall record, as of February 18. “I’m very pleased with the team’s performance this season,” Bartoz said. “Our performance in Conference matches is the strongest it has been at any time in the past six years!”
The Mustangs played Kewanee HS and Hall HS at Morrison HS at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, to finish the Three Rivers Conference season. Morrison will host an IHSA Regional event on Monday, March 6.
Morrison received a certificate in recognition of its fourth-place finish in the Sectional Tournament. Morrison’s team will also receive a $100 Scholastic Award from the Grand Lodge of the Masons of Illinois. Each Morrison team member received a medal from the Masons for his or her participation on the fourth-place team.
Morrison also received a plaque from the Masons in recognition of the team’s fourth-place finish, in the February 18, Sectional Tournament.
