DIVISION II DISTRICT SCHEDULE SET:

The East/Middle Region of TSSAA's Division II basketball has announced it's basketball schedule for next season. The interesting thing about the schedule is that MJCA will be playing everybody in the region (12 other schools), but only once. As is done in football, the schools will alternate home games from year to year.

Next season, the Saints will host Zion Christian Academy (12/18), Davidson Academy (1/5), St. Cecilia (1/19), University School - Nashville (1/26), Donelson Christian Academy (1/29), and Riverside Christian Academy (2/5). MJCA will travel to Webb School - Bell Buckle (1/8), Ezell Harding Christian School (1/12), Kings Academy (1/15), Webb School - Knoxville (1/16), St. Andrews School - Sewanee (1/22), and Franklin Road Academy (2/2).

This should make for an exciting region, and MJCA is very much looking forward to it. The Saints' other 15 games will be non-region and have yet to be scheduled.

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THRILLING GAMES ON SENIOR NIGHT:

District foe, Merrol Hyde Magnet School, came calling for the final home game of the MJCA season. It was a night to honor the senior basketball players and cheerleaders. However, they were the ones who treated us to an exciting night of basketball action.

In the girls game, the Lady Saints carried about a ten point lead throughout most of the game before the Hawks came screaming back to challenge the MJCA girls in the last minute of the game. The Lady Saints were able to make their foul shots and secure the 42-36 victory.

The varsity boy's game was an incredible story. Trailing late in regulation, Stephen Hughes (senior) made a couple of huge steals and Daniel Harden (sophomore) made a couple of big baskets to send the game into overtime. In overtime, Merrol Hyde jumped out to a quick 5 point lead. However, the Saints would just not go away. MJCA came back and sent the game into a second overtime. In overtime #2 the Hawks again jumped out to another lead of 4, just to see the Saints score the last 7 points of the game to clinch the 74-71 win.

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STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

One of MJCA's finest will be graduating this spring. Devin Bradshaw has demonstrated what it means to be true student-ahlete in his three years at MJCA. He has played varsity football, basketball, and soccer, while being part of the National Honor Society. He has also been a recipient of the Presidential Academic Award.

In the past, Devin has served as his class president. He was voted most likely to become a millionare by his peers this year. He has also participated in the Fine Arts Department at the school.

Bradshaw received the "Coaches Award" in football and was named to the All-District team in soccer. Excellence in the classroom and on the athletic field leads to excellence in life. That is why Mr. Devin Bradshaw is this month's selection for Student-Athlete of the month.

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MJCA TENNIS DRAWS A LOT OF STUDENT INTEREST :

Coach Jeremy Clendenning has brought a lot of enthusiasm to the Mt. Juliet Christian Academy tennis program. In his second season as the Saints' and Lady Saints' head coach, MJCA had 24 students try out for the 2009 squad. This will make it easy for the Saints to field a full men's and women's team this season.

In the past, the MJCA tennis teams have had years that numbers would allow one team to have a full squad while the other gender competed just as individuals. Although this is not entirely uncomon, it is exciting that there is this much interest now in the sport.

MJCA will be playing most of it's matches at the opponents school, but will host some matches at Charlie Daniels Park. Make your plans to support this exciting and developing program.

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