ECMS Academic Team Finishes Highest In 27 Years Of State Competition: Quick Recall Team Goes To State Finals

The 2017 ECMS Academic Team.

Edmonson Voice Staff:
​The Edmonson County Middle School academic team placed third overall in KAAC Governor’s Cup State Finals, the highest overall placement in the team’s 27 years of competition.  The team earned its overall standing from points earned in future problem solving, quick recall, and written assessment. 

Three Edmonson County students placed in written assessment testing at the KAAC state finals: Eighth grader Sarah Stewart placed seventh in arts and humanities testing, sixth grader Jonas Miller finished ninth in social studies and sixth grader Brody Johnson placed tenth in language arts.

The ECMS future problem solving team placed third in state competition.  According to head coach Greg Grey, team members Danyale Atwell, Taylor Dooley, Meredith Hennion, and Ava Lich spent several weeks in preparation and practice for the state topic of identity theft.  Their achievement earned them the opportunity to compete in the International Future Problem Solving Conference at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, in June.  Third place marked the best finish for any ECMS team in the event. 

“We have an outstanding group of players in future problem solving," said Coach Grey. "They are dedicated to excellence and their work, along with the superior coaching of Nick Skaggs, certainly has taken ECMS to the highest levels of success in the future problem solving competition.”    

The quick recall team scored the following victories during their march to the championship round:
Round 1          30 to 14 over South Laurel Middle School 
Round 2          31 to 23 over Capital Day School of Frankfort
Round 3          Teams winning both rounds 1 and 2 did not play in this round. 
Round 4          Bye
Round 5          41 to 31 over Owensboro Middle School
Round 6          40 to 36 over Campbell County Middle School (in overtime)
Round 7          36 to 33 over St. James School of Hardin County 

“Our team played with great competitive spirit throughout the state finals," said Grey. "We trailed at halftime to Capital Day, Campbell County, and St. James, but our players showed great composure and determination to win each of those games.  We were tied 35 to 35 with Campbell County at the end of regulation.  Our 5-1 victory in overtime not only secured our spot in the final four but also helped avenge two losses to Campbell County earlier this season.  We trailed St. James by six points at halftime, but we started the second half with a 9 to 1 scoring run.  We scored four unanswered points to win the St. James match.” 

In the quick recall state championship game, Edmonson County faced Russell Independent from the Ashland, Kentucky, area.  Coach Grey said that many coaches considered Russell to be the most dominant quick recall team in the state this year. 

ECMS started the game well and held on to a 6 to 4 lead at question ten.  Russell rolled off an impressive 16 to 1 scoring run to take a 20 to 7 lead by question 30.  ECMS fought back and at halftime Russell led by a score of 23 to 13.  The Wildcats opened the second half with a strong run and by question 14, the scoreboard showed 26 to 23 in Russell’s favor.  Both teams put together good scoring runs and with only 11 questions left in the game, ECMS had cut the Russell team’s lead to 33 to 31.  Russell ended the game with an eight-point run to win the state title by a final score of 41 to 31. 

“I have always believed that hard work and a good attitude will take one far in life, and our success at the state finals supports that belief," Coach Grey added. "Our success was a result of great team effort.  In quick recall, players gave up starting positions without a murmur because another player gave us an advantage in a game.  Months of preparation, practice, and home study paid huge dividends.  Even though we came up short in the quick recall championship game, our players never gave up and demonstrated the very best of our character.  Our FPS team is advancing to international competition, and our quick recall is heading to a national tournament.  I want to thank our school and our administrators for their support.  I want to thank our parents for all they have done to contribute to our success."

Emergency personnel led the team back into town in a victory parade.

The team was met in Brownsville on their return home from Louisville Monday night by emergency personnel who led the Wildcats through town in a victory parade.

"I can never express my appreciation to our police, fire, and emergency responders for the escort to the middle school," said Grey. "It was very touching to see many friends who turned out to shout out congratulations during our escort and return to school.  Our success would be impossible without our great coaching staff of Alan Florence, Nick Skaggs, Robin Grey, and the help of high school coach, Derek Stice.  Most of all I want to thank two awesome sixth graders, Brody Johnson and Jonas Miller; four amazing seventh graders, Danyale Atwell, Taylor Dooley, Meredith Hennion, and Catherine Vincent; six dedicated eighth graders, Arey Durbin, Ava Lich, Gavin Rose, Jon Smith, Sarah Stewart and Daniel Woosley.” 

ECMS Principal Brandon Prunty was eager to brag on the team members, Coach Grey and the entire coaching staff.

"They showed great toughness in their competitions this weekend, fighting down to the wire," he said. "And the countless hours of practice they all put in, paid off. Most people probably don't realize how much time and effort goes into being part of an academic team. They put in just as much, if not more practice time as any other team. Their performance at state was awesome.  Finishing as the #2 quick recall team, the #3 FPS team, and the #3 overall academic team in the state is a great accomplishment.  I also want to thank the Edmonson County Sheriff's Department, the Brownsville Police Department, and the fire departments from Brownsville, Chalybeate, and Kyrock, as well as ECMS staff, and community members for the escort back into town Monday night. Edmonson County is such a great place to live, learn, and work. The support our kids were shown hopefully will show them how special they are to us."