Two area schools are one step closer to a state title after posting wins Tuesday, April 22 in the “Varsity Sport of the Mind”.

The Lincoln Cardinals scholar bowl team needed a third game to get past the New Franklin Bulldogs, clinching their first trip to state in 24 years with a 160-120 victory in a Class Two quarterfinal. Lincoln needed overtime to claim the first game 181-180, but New Franklin struck back in game two with a 210-180 outcome to force the third game. The Cardinals will have tough competition as they seek to add to their second-place trophies from 2000 and 2001, as they’ll battle Brentwood, Schuyler County, and Weaubleau in a round-robin before the trophy matches.

Unfortunately for Lincoln, their neighbors Cole Camp will not be joining them at Memorial Union in Columbia, as the Bluebirds were overwhelmed by Lathrop 430-110 and 260-140 in their Class Three quarterfinal. Elsewhere, the Hale Cardinals dropped both matches in their Class One tilt to King City by scores of 300-110 and 180-110.

Meanwhile, the MRVC West will have two teams advancing to state. Oak Grove avenged last year’s loss to Kansas City Lutheran by pouncing on the Knights with both games ending in wins for the Panthers. They’ll make their first appearance in the Class Four semifinals, where they’ll face Bayless, Clever, and Fulton, one of two teams from the NCMC advancing to state. Oak Grove’s conference foes Center advanced to the Class Five semifinals, surviving three tight contests against Platte County with a 300-290 win in the first game, but falling 230-220 in the second contest before the Yellowjackets had the last buzz in a 250-230 victory. Center will face Webster Groves, New Heights Christian Academy of Joplin, and Mexico.

The Classes One through Three tournament will conclude May 9 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, with Classes Four through Six competing May 10.