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High School Athletics

Basketball

bball

The Academy’s high school basketball programs give student-athletes opportunities to develop their skills and to compete against other high school programs in the region. Practices begin early in the fall semester, and games begin in mid-November. The season typically concludes at the NACA championships in early March. In 2018 the Lady Knights won the NACA Division 6 championship, and in 2021 the Knights won the NACA Division 6 championship. The Academy plays most basketball games in the historic Mars Gym, and the high school teams can expect to play a handful of games in the Tex Turner Arena (varies season to season). Currently, five former Academy players are competing at the collegiate level, and over its history, JFWA’s basketball program sent numerous players into the collegiate ranks.

Cheerleading

cheer

One of the longest-running sports offered at JFWA, high school cheerleading offers students in grades 9-12 the chance to learn and develop their cheer skills as they support the Academy’s basketball programs. Try-outs are typically held in April/May for the following school year, and a supplemental try-out is usually held in August for new students. Practices begin over the summer prior to the school year and continue through the conclusion of the high school basketball season in early March. Throughout its history, the cheerleading team has produced skilled cheerleaders, and several have gone on to cheer in college including current members of LMU’s cheer squad.

Cross Country

cross country

The Academy’s high school cross country program give students in grades 9-12 opportunities to develop their running fitness and to compete against other runners in the surrounding region. Training begins in early August. Competition begins around Labor Day and concludes at the NACA Championships in early November. Over the years, the Academy has fielded numerous teams that were competitive on a regional and championship level, and a number of runners have gone on to compete at the collegiate level.  

Golf

golf

Students in grades 8-12 can participate in the Academy’s golf high school golf program. Practices begin in mid-July, and matches begin in late July/early August. The season concludes in late September at the conference tournament. Academy students practice at LMU’s driving range, and/or at the Academy’s home course at Wood Lake Country Club in Tazewell, TN. Over the years, JFWA’s have been competitive, and several individual athletes have moved on to compete at the college level.

Soccer

soccer

JFWA provides soccer for girls in the fall and for boys in the spring for students in grades 8-12; younger students may be allowed to practice with the varsity squad if they have prior soccer experience and/or show athletic promise. Some years, girls may also join the boys team in the spring to help complete the roster. The girls team begins practice in mid-July, with games beginning in late August and concluding in early October. The boys team begins practice in February, with games beginning in early March and concluding in late April. Both soccer squads use a variety of LMU fields for practice, and they play their home games on LMU’s primary game field. Several former JFWA soccer players have played collegiately.

Tennis

tennis

The Academy’s high school tennis program offers student-athletes in grades 9-12 the chance to learn and develop their tennis skills. All ability and experience levels are welcome. The high school program provides a full competitive schedule with match play against other high schools in east Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Historically, the Academy has a winning tradition, and several players have moved onto play at the college level.

Track

Track

As JFWA’s newest sport, the Academy’s track program offers student-athletes in grades 8-12 opportunities to compete in most running events and a limited number of field events. Beginning in mid-February, track athletes will start practice for area competitions which begin in mid-March and conclude by late April.