The Nashville Hornets ended the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Wildcats scholar bowl team's season Monday night in the opening round of the IHSA Regionals. After the Wildcats jumped out to a 120-60 lead at the end of the 1st quarter, the Hornets stung back and won 340-240. Nashville answered 15 of the remaining 18 tossup questions correctly.
The Wildcats end their season 12-4, finishing in 1st place in the Greater Egyptian Conference for the 2nd year in a row. The Wildcats scholar bowl team also won its 1st GEC scholar bowl tournament in several years. "We had a goal at the start of the season to win at least one trophy," said Carrier Mills scholar bowl coach Burke Wasson. "We did that, winning the GEC tournament for the first time I can recall. It's bittersweet to end the season in regionals, but I'm proud of this team for improving upon last season."
In Monday's regional match with Nashville at Trico High School in Campbell Hill, Wildcats senior captain Jade Nalley scored 120 points. Junior Brayden Harmon scored 70, junior Brayden Kirk scored 40, and senior Mortikai Celestino scored 10.
Nalley's final scholar bowl match ends another celebrated season, with Nalley earning MVP honors in the GEC tournament. Nalley averaged 188 points a game this season. "I feel proud of having done even better in my final year as captain," Nalley said. "My only hope is that my team continues to do well even after I'm gone."