Fulton County Schools Debuts Countywide Middle School Basketball Tournament

 

For the first time in at least five years, Fulton County Schools middle school athletes had the chance to compete for a county title, bringing a new level of excitement, structure, and celebration to student athletics.

The newly introduced end-of-season basketball tournament marked a milestone moment for the district’s intra/extramural programming. Open to all middle schools and charter middle schools, the program offers a wide range of sports, from co-ed soccer and gymnastics to boys' and girls' volleyball, tennis, basketball, and track and field. But until this year, there hadn’t been a culminating basketball tournament to crown county champions.

FCS Health & Physical Education Coordinator Jodie Fleming says that it changed in the 2025–26 season. A total of 41 teams - 21 boys and 20 girls - competed across three divisions: South (8 teams), Northeast (6 teams), and Northwest (7 teams). Each team played a regular season of six to eight games, with the top two teams from each division advancing to a single-elimination tournament bracket. From there, six teams per bracket battled down to one champion and one runner-up for both boys and girls. Camp Creek and Haynes Bridge Middle Schools emerged victorious in the girls’ and boys’ brackets, respectively.

“Camp Creek Warriors started the year as the underdogs and in true Warrior form, have shown resilience and pride to get here,” says Principal Leah McDaniel. “Eighth-grade scholar-athlete Neveah Anderson even broke a school record by scoring 57 points in a single game. I am truly proud of how Coaches Rashad Thomas and Victor Brown have grown this program.”

Haynes Bridge Middle School Principal Lauren Malekebu knows too that a victory like this takes a village.

“This achievement represents far more than a title.” Malekebu said. “It reflects the hard work, discipline, and determination our students show every day, both on and off the court. It reinforces our belief that when students are supported by dedicated coaches, engaged families, and a strong school culture, they can accomplish extraordinary things.”

While the tournament itself was new, the groundwork was anything but rushed. Planning began nearly a year in advance, with scheduling efforts kicking off the previous April and continuing through the summer and season. The idea, according to Fleming, grew directly from the voices of those closest to the programs: school-based extramural leaders.

“These leaders are what make the programming work,” Fleming noted, emphasizing their role in shaping an experience that reflects both student interest and educational value.

When it came time for the championship games, the atmosphere delivered. Packed stands, energized families, and supportive school communities created what Fleming described as an “awesome” environment for student-athletes. In the end, four teams total - the boys and girls champions and runners-up - walked away with trophies, symbols of both achievement and a season’s worth of effort. As Fleming points out, however, success on the court goes beyond wins and losses.

At the middle school level, athletics are designed as an extension of the classroom, reinforcing lessons in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance while encouraging lifelong physical activity. The structure also mirrors high school athletics, giving students and families a preview of what’s ahead.

“This is a chance for students to try something new and to experience what participation in high school sports will feel like,” Fleming explained.

But perhaps the biggest victory was the tournament itself.

With strong participation, enthusiastic support, and positive feedback across the district, plans are already in motion for next year’s event. What began as an idea from dedicated educators has quickly become a new tradition - one that celebrates not just competition, but community, growth, and the power of school sports.