Robert Cross Middle School defeats Albany Middle for Dougherty County Schools Academic Bowl title

ALBANY — Unlike last year when Robert Cross Middle was forced into a second championship game to beat Albany Middle for the Christine Blaylock Cup in the Dougherty County Middle School Academic Bowl competition, there was no late drama this year.

Robert Cross breezed through three rounds to wrap up with a perfect record, blanking Albany Middle in the final for its second consecutive Academic Bowl victory. A team must lose twice to be eliminated during the competition and Albany Middle would have had to outscore Robert Cross twice in the championship to claim the county title.

Following Robert Cross and Albany Middle in the standings were Radium Springs and Merry Acres. All four schools advance to the regional Academic Bowl competition, which will be held Jan. 11 in Americus.

“This is a very young team and they worked harder than any group I have had before,” Robert Cross Coach Ethelene Kimber said when the Academic Bowl ended just before noon on Thursday. “We have a lot of sixth-graders on the team and they seemed to have come in better prepared.”

Kimber a sixth-grade reading and English teacher, said she was proud of her team.

“We have a very young team,” she said. “The future is very promising for this group. I am really proud of them.”

Members of the Robert Cross team include Ryan Moore (team captain), Anna Paduano, George Darrisaw, Samuel Willamson, Joshua Sheffield, Justin Clements, Katelyn King, Vendasia Simmons, Javonte Whigham, DaeBreana Easley, Mackenzie Williams, Obvie Patani, Yasmine Jones, ShaCamryn Malone, and Haley Hayes.

Roderick Pollock coordinates the middle school academic bowl for the school system. The Albany Herald each year provides a moderator who poses the questions, a timer and two scorers for the bowl.