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.
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.