The Houston R-1 School District Scholar Bowl team qualified for the 2025 Small School National Championship tournament after competition this weekend in Rosemont, Illinois.
Houston was one of 153 teams – 15 from Missouri – competing at the event and finished with a 6-4 record, which qualified them for the playoffs.
There were some tense moments. Houston defeated South Side from Hookstown, Pennsylvania by the narrow margin of 225-220 during the sixth round, defeated Cooperstown from New York 250-235 during the seventh round and defeated Bayless B 190-185 during the 14th round.
Houston’s shot at the title ended when they lost to Pettisville from Ohio in the 16th round.
Keaton Hinkle was honored as a rising star for correctly answering 52 toss-up questions in the preliminary rounds.
Houston finished in 33rd place in the Traditional Public Schools Division.
The team is captained by Allie Benoist, who is joined by Ryan Haslett, Keaton Hinkle, Kendal Johnson, Tyler Kelly, Thomas Kincaid, Chris Leighty and George Smith. The team is coached by Jason Pounds.