Shelby County High School defeated Oak Mountain High School by the narrowest of margins Thursday night to claim the title of Varsity Scholars Bowl Champions.  Just five points separated the two teams at the end of the competition with Shelby County High School scoring 205 total points to Oak Mountain’s 200.

The difference in the match came down to one additional five-point worksheet round question.  Both teams were asked to select the language of origin of various words.  Shelby County High School got 11 correct for a total of 55 points while Oak Mountain High School got 10 correct for a total of 50 points.  The teams tied for 60 points in Period 1 and 90 points for period two.  The one extra worksheet round question proved to the difference in what would have been a tied match.

Both teams advanced to the championship match after earning the top two finishing spots at the county Scholars Bowl Tournament held February 5. The championship match was held prior to the Shelby County Board of Education meeting on February 18.  This is the second year that the two teams have faced off against each other, with Oak Mountain High School earning the title last year.