Marvell Academy junior high boys win 1A championship

Marvell Academy’s junior high boys brought home a 1A championship, and for a small Phillips County school, that kind of title lands as more than a line in the standings. It gave Marvell a clean, concrete point of pride, one families could point to, students could celebrate, and younger athletes could picture themselves reaching next.

The championship was backed by a strong showing at the 2026 MAIS 1-A, 1-AA, 1-AAA, 2-A, 2-AA junior high district meet on April 8 at Lee Academy Track in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Denton McCoy was one of the difference-makers, winning the 100 meters in 12.26 seconds, the 110 hurdles in 19.62, and the high jump at 5-6. Jax Jackson added wins in the 200 meters in 25.72 and the 400 meters in 58.27. Cyser Smith won the 300 hurdles in 55.66, and Donnie Lambert took the triple jump at 32-8.5.

Marvell also won both relay races that matter most in a team race, the 4x100 and 4x400, the sort of depth that usually separates a good day from a championship season. That spread of points across sprints, hurdles, jumps, and relays points to a program that is teaching younger athletes how to compete in multiple events and handle pressure before they reach high school.

For Marvell Academy, the title fits a larger athletic picture. The school, at 645 Highway 243 N., P.O. Box 277 in Marvell, says it was founded on Christian principles and includes athletics among its programs. Its public calendar lists a sports banquet for May 5, a natural moment for the school community to recognize the junior high boys and the families who supported them through the season.

The win also adds to a run of visibility for the Eagles. Recent local coverage has already noted Marvell Academy athletes placing at the MAIS State meet, and a Marvell Academy coach recently reached 500 career wins. For Phillips County, that matters because it signals continuity, not a one-night result. A junior high championship can feed the high school pipeline, strengthen school morale, and give the town another reason to rally around the Eagles as the next season takes shape.