Oilers edge Highland 200-190 in overtime thriller at Metro East Quad League match
In a dramatic Metro East Quad League showdown at Highland on Thursday night, the East Alton-Wood River Oilers edged host Highland 200-190 in overtime, capped by a sudden-death winning answer from standout competitor Taven Wardein.
The Scholastic Bowl team from East Alton-Wood River battled Highland through a tight match that remained within a single question for much of the evening. Both teams traded correct toss-ups and bonus opportunities, setting up a tense finish as regulation ended with the score deadlocked and forcing an overtime round to decide the contest.
Wardein was the difference throughout. He led the Oilers by converting the most toss-up questions on the night, consistently giving his team early control of key categories. With the match hanging in the balance in sudden death, Wardein buzzed in first and delivered the correct response, securing the 200-190 victory and closing out one of the squad’s most dramatic wins of the season.
The Oilers’ success, however, was far from a one-person effort. Chris Bond and Logan Cheatham each came through with important correct answers that helped build and preserve the Oilers’ scoring margin. Their timely responses on toss-ups and bonuses provided steady support and kept East Alton-Wood River within striking distance when Highland threatened to pull ahead.
The match at Highland, located at 12760 Troxler Ave., showcased the speed and composure of the Oilers on the buzzer, especially in the late stages. The team’s ability to deliver fast buzz-ins and accurate answers under pressure was most evident in the final rounds, as they matched Highland point for point to force the extra session.
The overtime win not only highlighted Wardein’s clutch performance but also underscored the Oilers’ depth and resilience across the lineup. With contributions from Bond, Cheatham and others, East Alton-Wood River continued to build momentum in Metro East Quad League play and demonstrated that it can execute in high-pressure, late-match situations.
As the season continues, the Oilers will look to build on the 200-190 overtime victory at Highland, drawing confidence from both their ability to answer quickly on the buzzer and their poise when the match comes down to a single, sudden-death question.
