Local hockey team takes regional honors

By Staff
Becky Miller
Special for the Record
The Bob Jones High School Patriots Hockey Team has taken the regional championship title at the recent Southeast United States Regional Level B Freedom Hockey Tournament.
On Jan. 20, the Patriots went into double overtime to beat the Grissom Tigers of Huntsville 7-5 in the tournament. It was held in Huntsville at the Wilcoxon Ice Complex. Approximately 38 teams from the South entered the tourney in various age divisions. Bob Jones beat teams from as far away as Nashville and Atlanta to progress to the final championship game. Brian Huther made the winning shot. Brett Dupree, goaltender, was named Most Valuable Player.
Madison Mayor Jan Wells presented the championship banner and trophy to the team at Bob Jones High School.
Hockey has not yet become an Alabama Secondary School sanctioned sport, so until that time, sponsors are sought to help keep the costs of play and equipment down. Some youth are new to hockey and others have played on other teams here or elsewhere. A hockey team represents nearly every high school in Madison County. A few of the teams even have cheerleaders.
Approximately 20 young men make up the Bob Jones team with four seniors on the squad. Seniors team members are Jeffrey Edminston, captain; Baron Medlin, assistant captain; Kreig Williams, assistant captain; and Gene Kerns. The coaches are Mike Quenneville and Rich Carden.
The association will continue its season through Feb. 7 when the Alabama State Championship begins at the Wilcoxon Ice Complex. All qualifying teams will compete during the week for the state title and the Charger Cup.