Students at Duran North Junior High School won big at the Scholar’s Bowl Championship earlier this month. The team competed against schools from around the area, including two-time champion Springville.

The team was crowned the 2015 Metro-East Scholars’ Bowl League champions after competing successfully through the playoffs and championship rounds, held on Thursday, Dec. 3 at Duran Junior High School.

“I am so proud of our students and the hard work they put into this, and the work Mr. Bloodsworth put into the team,” Principal Richard Garris said. “It takes a lot of practice and a lot of studying to prepare for the Scholar’s Bowl and they made us proud.”

Duran won the title and finished with an 11-1 record, defeating both Hewitt-Trussville and Springville, the two-time defending champion.

On the way to the playoffs, Duran recorded wins over teams from Moody and Oxford. This season’s big win marks the fifth championship for Duran since the league’s founding in 2000. The Panthers also won the title in 2000, 2007, 2010, and 2011.

The championship trophy the team was awarded with was named in honor of former Duran teacher Rob Spivey, who passed away in May of this year. Spivey was a devoted educator, who founded the Metro-East Scholars’ Bowl League. He served at the League’s commissioner until a few tears ago. Today, the league he created consists of twenty teams with more than 160 students participating.

Christian Whaley, the team’s captain was named to the All-Star team. Whaley recorded 34.44 points-per-game, which was the third highest total in the seventh and eighth grade division of the league. In addition to Whaley, this year’s scholars’ bowl team includes Natalia Bastian, Markeese Cammon, Adam McNutt, Lily McVey, Noah Parker, Jonah Perry, Will Pittman, Carolyn Storey, and Matt Turbville. The team is coached by Dana Bloodsworth.