September 2018 - JC News

September 28, 2018October 21, 2020

Consistency brings success for Jones College’s Bobcat Math League teams

ELLISVILLE – Since the inception of the Jones College Bobcat Math League, the format, teams or rules have changed in some way. However, to find success, it appears mathletes are using Heisman Trophy winner, Super Bowl MVP, and former Dallas Cowboy quarterback, Roger Staubach’s quote to heart; “In any team sport, the best teams have consistency and chemistry.” No one can doubt this week that Sacred Heart found its “groove” by applying Staubach’s wisdom as they continue to dominate the Technology Division and the cumulative point’s standings with 142. Also, little has changed in the division rankings, except in the Science Division where West Jones remains at the top of the heap despite having the week off.

The Mustangs of West Jones remain as division leaders because of the 44 cumulative points the team earned in the first week. Surprisingly, Northeast Jones tumbles down the division ranks to fourth place after a heated battle with the Laurel Tornadoes even though they have 73 cumulative points. In the Tornadoes’ first week of competition they “tore-up” the Tigers, 39-33 and land in second place in the division. Presbyterian Christian keeps its third-place division ranking with 85 cumulative points after stomping on the Raleigh Lions, 45 to 13. Last week’s tie between PCS and Northeast Jones prevents both teams from moving up the division ranks regardless of points.

Sacred Heart’s, 65 to 12 pummeling of the Bulldogs of Perry Central, secures the Crusaders first place division ranking while the Bulldogs continue to search for a break in the competition in fourth place. The clash of the Academies turned into a “cat fight” between the Columbia Academy Cougars and the Wayne Academy Jaguars. With a three-point lead, the Cougars snatched the win away from the Jaguars, 36 to 33 with Columbia Academy remaining in second place in the Technology Division.

Engineering Division leaders, the Wayne County War Eagles earned the victory against the Quitman Panthers and end the week with the second most cumulative points with 136. The Panthers could only garner 15 points from the War Eagles as Wayne County decisively wins its match. Heidelberg’s Oilers sprung a leak while hosting the Oak Grove Warriors, ending in a decisive win for the Warriors, 52 to 16.

Topping the list of the Most Outstanding Players is Sacred Heart’s Benjamin Dunn with a 75 percent accuracy average this week, after a three-way tie for first in the first week of competition. Second place MOP honors go to both Maxwell Dobbs of Laurel and Mathew Morgan of Presbyterian Christian with a 70 percent accuracy average. Wayne County’s Joshua Curry’s 65 percent accuracy average earned him third place with four people tied for fifth place with a 60 percent average.

Next week, only four of the thirteen high schools will see action. West Jones will host Laurel and Raleigh hosts Northeast Jones as the other schools observe Fall Break. Even though there is a break in the action, each of the teams in the Science Division has the opportunity to distance themselves from the third-place PCS team by earning more points as the Bobcats enjoy the week off.

Results will be posted on the JC Bobcat Math League web page under “Division Standings/Schedules at: http://www.jcjc.edu/bobcatmathleague/ and scores in real time will be posted on the Bobcat Math League Facebook page: Bobcat Math League – Facebook. Weekly results can also be found in local media outlets. For more information about the Bobcat Math League contact Dr. Jessica Bunch (JC Bobcat Math League Commissioner) at 601-477-5422 or email at jessica.bunch@jcjc.edu.

September 28, 2018

USM’s Southern Invitational Choral Conference selects JC’s Concert Choir to perform

ELLISVILLE–Jones College’s Concert Choir was the only guest concert choir to perform at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Southern Invitational Choral Conference (SICC) held September 24, at the Hattiesburg campus. Additionally, the 105-member group was selected to be the featured choir for a teacher masterclass as part of the SICC events. The choir performed under the direction of the guest clinician, Dr. Andrew Last of Luther College for the instructor’s masterclass. Both opportunities are considered a prestigious honor according to JC’s Choral Director, Joel Dunlap.

“Being selected as the only guest choir to perform at the Southern Invitational Choral Conference in Hattiesburg was a great honor for our Concert Choir at Jones College and this was an honor we did not take lightly. Being a part of the concert showcase and performing for more than 800 college and high school students as well as music professionals from across the state was very humbling,” said Dunlap.

The JC Concert Choir performed James Mulholland’s composition, “Keramos” which translates to “The Potter’s Clay.” This choral composition was originally commissioned by the USM Southern Chorale in 1997.

Assisting the choir as the group’s accompanist is JC’s fine arts faculty member, Dr. Victoria Johnson. For more information about the upcoming concert season contact the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4094.

JCJC Concert Choir Members 2018

Sarah Acosta, Oak Grove

Dailen Allen, Liberty

Rebekah Allen, Magee

Zailen Allen, Liberty

Keara Altman, Quitman

Manuel Alvarado, Laurel

K.J. Andrews, Laurel

Curlexis Arrington, Waynesboro

Ella Barker, Hattiesburg

Daniel Ryan Beech, Chatom, AL

Madisyn Blackwell, Laurel

Michael Blanks, Ellisville

Madison Bolling, Petal

Heidi Boot, Ellisville

Layne Boykin, Waynesboro

Madison Brannon, Hattiesburg

William Briggs, Ocean Springs

Keon Cain, McComb

Coco Caldwell, Laurel

Patrick Callen, Laurel

Ka’Lisha Carter, Shubuta

Kassidy Chandler, Laurel

Krimel Chandler, Liberty

Madison Chatham, Laurel

Dylon Chisholm, Purvis

Courtlyn Clanton, Waynesboro

Ebony Cole, Laurel

J.D. Cole, Meridian

Erica Cooley, Waynesboro

Seth Dawson, Laurel

Hannah Dubin, Waynesboro

Antonio Ducksworth, Louin

Nathaniel Duke, Citronelle, AL

Reagan Dukes, Laurel

Lexie Floyd, Quitman

Christen Ford, Ellisville

Eliana Gaddy, Laurel

Nathaniel Gamblin, Waynesboro

Landra Gavin, Laurel

Cortland Goff, South Jones

Jase Golobay, Ellisville

Chance Gossett, Buckatunna

Gracie Green, Leakesville

Kayla Hannah, Star

Avery Harris, Laurel

Victor Harris, Laurel

Jacob Hathorn, Clinton

Khalil Herron, Laurel

Trey Hicks, Laurel

Haley Holifield, Laurel

Virginia Hosey, Laurel

Kaselyn Houston Meridian

CJ Hunter, Laurel

Jamar James, Leroy, AL

Sydney James, Waynesboro

Kaitlin Jones, Purvis

Lacoby Keys, Ellisville

Reese Loper, Millry, AL

Kaylee Luckey, Mize

Cooper Mangum, Morton

Denise McAdoo, Bay Springs

Kamryn McGee, Hattiesburg

Anna-Claire McKellar, Vicksburg

Eli McMellon, Moselle

Hallie Meadows, Richton

Christian Millwood, Brandon

Destiny Minter, Ellisville

Eden Murphy, Petal

Chelsea Musgrove , Soso

Madison Newsom, Sumrall

Brooklyn Nicholson, Richton

Caleb Pearce, Ellisville

Olivia Pippin, Laurel

Taylor Pippin, Laurel

Zyion Pittman, Soso

Brianna Read, Laurel

Dawn Reulet, Taylorsville

Jacob Rogers, Ellisville

Mackenzie Rolison, Long Beach

Avyana Russell, Hattiesburg

Scarlett Sandifer, Laurel

Charlie Shattles, Moselle

Callie Shows, Ellisville

James Smith, Jr., Oak Grove

Jacob Strickland, Ovett

Natalie Sullivan, Hattiesburg

Roshunda Sumrall , Sandersville

Johnnie Tala, Seminary

Reagan Todd, Laurel

Kalley Tolbert, Laurel

Grace Toney, Long Beach

Corey Tribble, Leakesville

Deven Ulmer, Laure

Haylee Waite, Laurel

Kaitlyn Walley, Waynesboro

Katelyn Ware, Hattiesburg

Andrew Watkins, Quitman

Sarah Watson, Laurel

Rogers Wesley, Vicksburg

Alyssa White, Laurel

Derrick Williams, Laurel

Jared Woullard, Leakesville

Christian Wright, Lucedale

Sydnee Yates, Brandon

Emily Youngblood, Ellisville

September 21, 2018October 21, 2020

Big scores & surprises in the first week of Jones College’s Bobcat Math League competition

ELLISVILLE – The big powerhouse high schools wasted no time in demonstrating they are on the road to the championship again with dominating performances and big scores. Proving they can repeat as champions, the Wayne County War Eagles seized the Heidelberg High School Oilers and didn’t relent with a commanding, 77 to 20 win. As two of the teams in the Engineering Division, Wayne County set the pace in the points column taking the lead in the division. Last year, the Oak Grove Warriors lost in the championship round to the War Eagles so expect the two foes to tangle all season. In their match this week, the Warriors slayed the Quitman Panthers, 70 to 26, giving Oak Grove the second place spot in the division and Quitman ended up in third place.

Returning Wayne County Math Coach, Ashley Phillips was part of the 2008 and 2011 Wayne County Math Bowl Championship teams. While he’s not new to the “competitive spirit” at Wayne County, he is new to the Bobcat Math League format.

“I understand after the first week how the Math League requires our students to earn their position in the finals, just as a football team would earn a spot in the playoffs,” said Phillips. “I am proud of the outcome of our first match and I am proud of all fifteen members that we have representing our school this year. I feel that we will be very competitive this season and have a great shot at being Champions again because that is the goal that we have set for the team.”

Surprises within the Science Division between perennial contenders Northeast Jones, Presbyterian Christian and West Jones High Schools allowed the Mustangs to land on top as Division leaders. The Mustangs trotted their way to the lead over the Raleigh Lions with a convincing, 44 to 29 win. The match between the Bobcats of Presbyterian Christian and the Tigers at Northeast Jones ended in a 40-40 tie. In the final playoffs in 2017, PCS managed to knock off West Jones, to capture the overall third place winners spot, leaving the Mustangs in fourth place. Anticipate a fierce fight in the Science Division over the next five weeks with three top teams each planning to be in the playoffs. With 13-teams participating this season, division rankings are likely to change often with at least one team being “forced” to take a “bye” each week. Laurel High School had this week off and West Jones has the “bye” in week two. These variables have West Jones Math Coach, Courtney Hagan, concerned.

“I am nervous about our team this year because most of my students are new to the team. I have three returning players. I am hopeful we will do pretty well since we only have four matches this year, but I know there is a learning curve for the students when it comes to the advanced STEM questions. I definitely miss the days of just math questions, but sometimes those STEM questions are the ones that help our score. Overall, I am excited to have some younger students that I can rebuild a team with for the next couple of years,” said Hagan.

In the Technology Division, it is not surprising that Sacred Heart dominated competition and is starting the season as division leaders. Fighting on home turf, the Sacred Heart Crusaders cruised to victory over the Wayne Academy Jaguars, 77 to 30. Columbia Academy’s Cougars trounced on the Perry Central Bulldogs, 45 to 5, taking the second place rank in the division with the clear win. Expect the Crusaders to prove they deserved more after going home in the 2017 playoffs in fifth place, tied with Quitman.

A three-way tie exists amongst the top students who accurately answered the most questions. The top Most Outstanding Players with a 70 percent accuracy rate are Matthew Morgan of Presbyterian Christian, Warren Parker of Columbia Academy and Benjamin Dunn of Sacred Heart. Seven “mathletes” tied for fourth place in the individual competition with students scoring a 60 percent accuracy average.

Next week, expect a battle to secure division rankings with Northeast Jones hosting Laurel High School, and Presbyterian Christian enters the lion’s den as they face Raleigh at Jones College. Perry Central hosts division leaders, Sacred Heart and the two academies face off with the match between Columbia Academy and Wayne Academy taking place at Jones College. The Quitman Panthers host its division leader, the Wayne County War Eagles, and Heidelberg hosts the Warriors of Oak Grove.

September 18, 2018

Jones College’s Bobcat Math League begins seventh season

ELLISVILLE –Since the inception of the Bobcat Math League, change has been a constant theme. Rules have changed and teams have come and gone and this year is no different. The League has lost three teams, Collins, South Jones and Sylva Bay Academy due to coaches retiring or moving to other schools, or there were not enough students to form a team. Remaining in the hunt to be the Bobcat Math League Champions are the current champions, Wayne County and the runner-up team, Oak Grove. They are both in the Engineering League along with Quitman and Heidelberg High Schools.

“This year, Oak Grove only has two returning members. Eighty-six percent of the team is underclassmen. This will definitely be a rebuilding year but we are looking forward to the matches and competition,” said Oak Grove Math Coach, Whitney Necessary.

Wayne Academy’s Jaguars just missed the championship playoffs last season and could be a threat to Technology Division members, Columbia Academy, Perry Central and Sacred Heart who have done well in the past but struggled some last season. Wayne Academy math coach, Heidi Leggett said her team has the potential to be in the final playoffs this year with seven returning players and several seniors on the team.

“With our returning players and new additions, I believe this is the strongest team we have had at Wayne Academy. All the team members are excited about participating in the program and with this being our fourth year to compete the members have a better understanding of the competition. Our goal each year is to improve in our overall total points from the previous year,” said Wayne Academy Math Coach, Heidi Leggett.

Perennial contenders, the Northeast Jones Tigers have a rich history of success in the JC Bobcat Math League. In 2016, the Tigers landed in fourth place and have tied for fifth place every subsequent year since 2013. However, for the first time since the League was formed in 2012, they missed the cutoff for the 2017 playoffs. This season, the Tiger powerhouse has to overcome some new challenges while contending with the 2013 and 2014 Championship Presbyterian Christian winners, Raleigh, West Jones ( 2nd place in 2016) and Laurel High School in the Science Division. Northeast Jones’ long tradition of being the division winner or earning a wildcard spot has put new Math Coach, Casey Stroo in a difficult spot as he tries to quickly motivate a young team.

“Only five players are returning from last season, and we will be adding a multitude of 9th-grade talent to the team. We definitely will have our work cut out for us this season, being in a strong and competitive division of schools. My goal as a coach is to get my team as close to winning as possible, but I’m also constantly trying to increase their math/STEM knowledge base to prepare them for college and the ACT exam. I look forward to a great season and hope the students enjoy their time participating in this amazing program and opportunity,” said Northeast Jones Math Coach, Casey Stroo.

At the end of the six-week regular season and the final playoffs, the winning top two- teams have the potential to split monetary prizes with their teammates. While winning money and trophies may be a motivating factor for some high school students to become the Jones College Bobcat Math League Champions, ultimately, League Commissioner and JC math instructor, Dr. Jessica Bunch said the League has a bigger purpose which benefits students and their communities.

“Our coaches and teams seem to work harder every year as they strive not only for the title of JC Bobcat Math League Champions but also to improve ACT math scores and high school math subject area grades,” said Bunch. “I think each of this year’s coaches and teams will be just as determined to reach for the goal as they have always been. We enjoy seeing the excitement students have for this competition season after season — we never tire in witnessing their triumphs in success and their comradery and support when a question is missed.”

Mathletes answer STEM-based questions like computational and visual math and history questions related to STEM fields. However, fifty-five percent of the questions will be math-related. Teams face off for the first week of competition September 17, with the regular season ending Tuesday, October 23. The final playoffs and Math “Super Bowl” will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at Jones College.