ECMS Finishes 5th In Nation At New Orleans Academic Championship

Darren Doyle, story: photos courtesy of ECMS Academic Team:
The 2017 Edmonson County Middle School Academic Team has proudly represented the county once again as they finished 5th in the nation at this year's Junior National Academic Championship, held in New Orleans, LA. 

This tournament drew some of the top teams from around the nation to compete in what's known as a "four-quarter" style of play. According to Head Coach Greg Grey, these tournaments are played much differently than KY's with different rules and formats, but the team enjoyed the different style and accepted those challenges well.

The ECMS team posted a record of 5 wins and 2 losses in the tournament.  The team's tournament scores were as follows:
​
Game 1  ECMS 300  to  Paideia C        (Georgia)    325 
Game 2  ECMS 460  to  White Hall      (Arkansas)      90
Game 3  ECMS 415  to  Ouchita            (Arkansas)      60
Game 4  ECMS  335 to  Pulaski Green (Arkansas)   220
Game 5  ECMS 300  to  Pulaski White  (Arkansas)  280
Game 6  ECMS 365  to Paideia B          (Georgia)   245
Quarter  ECMS 360 to  Westside            (Nebraska) 365
  Finals

​“This tournament was a tremendous experience for our team, said Coach Grey. "Not only did we represent our community and state in a very positive manner, our players, coaches, and parents made memories to last a lifetime."

Grey said that Edmonson County compiled the highest combined score of any team in the preliminaries and was the only team to beat the eventual champion, Paideia B out of Georgia. 

"Our loss in the quarterfinal game came on the last question of the game, but no competition comes down to a single event," he said. "This was our best overall performance in terms of wins and losses at a national tournament."

He also said that a strong tournament performance like this is a great way to end such a positive quick recall or quiz bowl season. 

"We will end our academic season at the International Future Problem Solving Competition at La Crosse, Wisconsin in just a few days and hope to report on success there," he added. "I want to thank the people and businesses of Edmonson County for their support of the ECMS academic team.  Your encouragement and generosity made this tournament and so many other things possible for us.  Finally, thanks to our great players: Arey, Ava, Brody, Gavin, Jonas, Sarah, and Taylor for every great day and memory.”

L-R: Sarah Stewart, Brody Johnson, Jonas Miller, Arey Durbin

Back, L-R: Arey Durbin, Gavin Dooley, Taylor Dooley, Front, L-R: Jonas Miller, Sarah Stewart, Ava Kate Lich, Brody Johnson