ECMS Academic Team Claims Back-To-Back Division Titles In Junior Nationals

2019 ECMS Academic Team, New Orleans Division Champions.

Johnson And Miller Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

Edmonson Voice Staff Report: ECMS Academic Team Coaching Staff, contributors, photos:
​On Monday, May 27, 2019 The Edmonson County Middle School Academic Team won the New Orleans division of the Junior National Academic Championship for the second year-in-a row.   The ECMS team dominated the competition with a perfect 9-0 record and scored an average of 484.4 points per game. 

​The overall National academic champion will be declared later next month following the conclusion of all the national regional competitions. The championship is similar to a college football bowl system with different criteria. The stats and performances from each of the four regional champions are then compared in order to name the final national winner.

ECMS started the tournament with a 555 to 35 win over Deerfield Prep School from Albany, Georgia.  Next, they defeated Woodland Junior High School, a former JNAC champion, by a score of 410 to 210.  In their third game, ECMS outscored Ramsey C, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 460 to 120.  Bayou Community Academy Charter School of Thibodaux, Louisiana, fell to the ECMS team in game four by a score of 495 to 120.   The Wildcats overwhelmed Mount De Sales Academy (Blue Team) of Macon, Georgia, by a score of 415 to 90 in game five. 

ECMS concluded its preliminary matches with an impressive 395 to 250 victory over Mount De Sales Academy (Gold Team).   The team’s unbeaten record and tournament leading average of 455 points per game earned ECMS the number one seed in the playoffs. ​

ECMS starters immediately after winning the title.

On Memorial Day, ECMS started its march toward tournament victory with a crushing defeat of eSTEM (Economics, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Charter School of Little Rock, Arkansas.  In the quarterfinal match, ECMS outscored eSTEM 200 to 0 in the fourth quarter and by a final score of 520 to 105. 

In the semi-finals match, ECMS once again faced Mount De Sales Gold.  ECMS led 90 to 40 at the end of the first quarter.  ECMS stretched its lead to 245 to 55 by halftime.  ECMS ended the game with a tournament high of 595 to 125.
 
In the championship match, the unbeaten ECMS faced the unbeaten Ramsey Junior High School (A team) of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The ECMS team took the lead on the first question of the game and never looked back.  By halftime, ECMS had stretched its lead to 215 to 60.  ECMS continued its dominance in the second half by outscoring Ramsey A 200 to 60 in the fourth quarter.  ECMS ended the game with a resounding victory of 515 to 215. ​

Brody Johnson was named tournament MVP.

Both Brody Johnson and Jonas Miller were inducted into the Junior National Academic Championship Hall of Fame. ​

At the conclusion of the championship game, tournament director, Chip Beall, presented the first place trophy to the Edmonson County team.  Mr. Beall declared Brody Johnson as the tournament’s most valuable player.  To complete an amazing day, Mr. Beall inducted Brody Johnson and Jonas Miller into the Junior National Academic Championship Hall of Fame. ​

The team takes a moment before sightseeing in New Orleans.

Coach Greg Grey provided the following remarks.  “Never have I been more proud of the ECMS academic team.  We completely dominated the New Orleans tournament," he said. 

He continued by explaining that the team's margin of victory was over 70 points per game more than last year, and that was enough to win a national championship. 

​"We soundly defeated several elite schools on the way to the tournament championship," Coach Grey continued. "In this tournament and in every tournament for four years, Brody and Jonas amazed spectators and competitors with their knowledge and speed.  Brody and Jonas proved to be a one-two knockout combination to all of our opponents.  Their calmness under pressure and integrity shone through during the competition.  Brody’s MVP this year and Jonas’s MVP last year, along with their induction into the Hall of Fame, stand as a testament to their achievements as academic players.  Evy Bolton and Brycen Daniels made key scoring contributions during our tournament run.  Also, I need to recognize Taylor, Alex, Glenna, Emma, Lyla, Ace, Ashton, and Ian for the hours and hours of practice, play, and support each of them gave to this team.  Our success hinges on not only the hard work of players, but also of that of our coaches.  A special thanks is owed to Alan Florence, Nick Skaggs, and Robin Grey.  As always, the support of our school and community is so greatly appreciated.  The generosity of many Edmonson Countians helped make this trip to New Orleans possible." 
           
"We have to wait until the remaining JNAC tournaments are concluded to find out if we are indeed the national champions once again.  Our record stands at an incredible 91 wins and 1 loss.  I conclude my remarks with this for our team: 
‘The race is done.
The victory won.
In my hearts you will always be number one.’”

The national champion should be named sometime in the next 2-3 weeks. While nothing is guaranteed, the Wildcats' performance makes them heavily favored to become back-to-back champions, which is unheard of for a school the size of Edmonson County.