The De Soto High School Scholars Bowl team’s postseason has kicked into gear with a successful performance at the League meet.

The team placed third at the meet, which Paola High School hosted on Jan. 13. While the team could have placed higher, head coach Phillip Hamilton believes that the meet still went fine.

“I think it went pretty well. To have such a new and young team and kind of a new lineup, I think we did good,” Hamilton said.

The League team consisted of juniors Nick Mechler, Bryce Zimmerman, Joel Sweeney and Erick Sherman, along with seniors William Walker and Madeline Field.

Walker was the only member of this year’s team remaining from last year’s State championship squad. This can help to explain why the team is still developing and learning.

The postseason is just now getting into full swing, as Regionals approaches with a bid to the State tournament on the line.

If the team finishes in the top three, they will qualify to compete at State. After much deliberation, the coaches are just beginning to figure out who will be on the Regionals team.

The team still has room to grow and adjustments to make before they are ready for the postseason.

“We’ve got to get better in some categories, especially social science and science,” Hamilton said. “We need to take a look at our lineups and see if that’s who we want to go with. In general, we need to keep practicing, and I think we will get there.”

The team is attempting to win its fourth consecutive State championship this season. State will be held right here at DHS on Saturday, Feb. 15.

However, the quest for a fourth straight title truly begins on Friday, Feb. 6, when Regionals is hosted at Perry-Lecompton High School.