Trojans maintain undefeated record

>> JOHN MILLEDGE ACADEMY

  • JMA senior Briggs Eady is a primary offensive threat, but also provides strong defensive play for the Milledgeville-based school. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff
    JMA senior Briggs Eady is a primary offensive threat, but also provides strong defensive play for the Milledgeville-based school. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff
  • John Milledge Academy junior Bud Veal (2) drives toward the goal against Bethlehem Christian Academy last Friday. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff
    John Milledge Academy junior Bud Veal (2) drives toward the goal against Bethlehem Christian Academy last Friday. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

    The John Milledge Academy (JMA) boys’ basketball team is firing on all cylinders this year.

    The Trojans moved to a 10-0 overall record on the season after defeating Brentwood Academy (57-49), Bethlehem Christian (69-37) and Trinity Christian (62-36) last week. JMA then followed up with a win over Tatnall Square Academy (66-39) early this week.

    Jalan Butts and Briggs Eady combined for 34 points against the Eagles last Tuesday. Each of JMA’s skilled marksmen shot 40 percent from the field, with Butts scoring 18 and Eady totaling 16 points. Grayson Waddell also added 8 points.

    The Trojans played a high-tempo game but limited themselves to only 14 turnovers. They also were able to control the boards and cruise to victory over Brentwood.

    On Friday, JMA cruised to the win over Bethlehem Christian Academy (BCA). The Trojans got a 30-point effort from Eady, who shot 63 percent (6-of-8) from beyond the arc. He also had six rebounds (with four of them being offensive boards), three assists and two steals.

    JMA hammered BCA on the glass and shot well as a team in Friday’s road test. The Trojans never trailed as they dominated and out-hustled the superior Knights’ team. It was another easy victory for first-year head coach Mitch Risley’s squad the next day.

    Lastly, JMA clobbered Trinity Christian by 36 points enroute to an easy win on Saturday. However, it was Butts and Bud Veal stealing the show this time for the Trojans’ offense.

    Butts had a team-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting (58 percent) against the Crusaders. Veal added a team’s second-best 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting (86 percent). Banks Eady also tallied 9 points while Briggs Eady scored 9 points.

    JMA’s defensive effort also held another opponent to under 40 points. The Trojans’ half-court press stunted Trinity’s guards, forcing them into turning the ball over several times.

    Risley’s squad totaled eight steals against the Crusaders, with four coming from Veal. Banks Eady also had a pair of takeaways in the Trojans’ 10th-straight win.

    “We’re getting closer and closer every day to where we want to be,” Risley said last week. “I’m liking where we are at in terms of a lot of players that are contributing.”

    JMA faced its toughest test of the season on Tuesday against Tatnall Square Academy, but still came away with a 66-39 victory over the Trojans of Macon.

    Risley has his squad in great shape heading into region play, which really ramps up next week.

    “Our district, which is what we’re calling it this year, is full of Macon schools,” Risley said last week. “Stratford Academy and Tatnall will be our biggest competition.”

    JMA returns to action Friday against First Presbyterian Day in Macon, then play the following day in Athens against Monsignor Donovan Catholic.