ECMS Academic Team Advances to State Tournament

Wildcats Advance to State For 10th Straight Year

ECMS Academic Team members: Back row L-R: Ian Dooley, Brayden Johnson, Ace Daugherty. Front row L-R: Thomas James, Emberlei Stevens.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The Edmonson County Middle School competed in the middle school district and regional tournaments in January.  Both competitions were held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the district tournament, the quick recall team played a much improved Henry F. Moss Middle School from Warren County.  Edmonson County won the game 38 - 22 to advance to the district finals.  In the finals, the team played Moss Middle School again.  The Wildcats held off a late run by the dragons to win the quick recall championship 32 - 25.  

The team also competed in written assessment competitions.  Brayden Johsnon placed first in language arts and arts & humanities.  Ian Dooley placed 4th in social studies.  Ace Daugherty placed 3rd in mathematics and 5th in social studies. Thomas James placed 2nd in science and 3rd in social studies.  All of these students advanced to the regional tournament in their written assessment tests.  With the combined points from quick recall and written assessment, the team finished as district runners-up to St. Joseph School from Bowling Green.

At the regional tournament, the quick recall team endured a gauntlet of tough games.  In round 1, the Wildcats faced Auburn Middle School from Logan County.  It was a sluggish game, with both teams making runs in the game.  The final tally had Edmonson County winning 24 - 17.  

The round 2 opponent for Edmonson County were the Purples of Bowling Green Junior High School.  Their team is very well coached and always extremely tough.  The Wildcats played their best game from start to finish in this contest to defeat Bowling Green 37 - 14.  

After a bye in round 3, Edmonson County played Glasgow Middle School.  After a hot start by the Scotties of Glasgow, Edmonson County came back with a fury.  Even though they trailed Glasgow 15 - 13 at halftime, they used their momentum to take the lead in the 2nd half of play.  The Scotties had a late run, but Edmonson County never lost their composure and they extended the lead to win the game 34 - 27.  This win put Edmonson County in the regional finals where they secured a spot in the Kentucky Academic State Tournament for the tenth consecutive year.

In the finals, Edmonson County played a red-hot team from South Warren Middle School.  South Warren had lost earlier in the day to Glasgow, but had advanced through the losers’ bracket to get back to the finals.  In the first game of the finals, South Warren handed the Wildcats their first loss 38 - 20.  This forced an if needed round where the winner was the champion and the losing team were the runners-up.  This contest was back and forth the entire match.  In the end, the Spartans defeated the Wildcats 33 - 29, but both teams will advance to the state tournament to represent region 5.  

“I am extremely proud of my kids,” said Coach Nick Skaggs. “Making it to the state tournament is a major accomplishment.  The kids showed great composure throughout the entire day and they are continuing to get better each week.  We will continue to work and we will be ready for the teams we will face at state.” Coach Skaggs continued. 

The state tournament quick recall team members are Brayden Johnson, Ian Dooley, Ace Daugherty, Thomas James, and Emberlei Stevens. 

In written assessment competitions, Brayden Johnson advanced to the state tournament after he won the language arts regional championship and finished 2nd in arts & humanities.  With the quick recall and written assessment points, the team finished 3rd overall behind only South Warren and Bowling Green.  The state tournament will be played online this year March 13 - 15.  ​