The New Heights Middle School Academic Challenge Team competed in the Pee Dee Regional Academic Challenge Tournament at Francis Marion University on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Eighteen teams from across the Pee Dee Region competed in the Tournament. Jackson Sims (8th grade) and Tyson Snow (8th grade) were selected as All-Stars for the season. Oliver Laney (8th grade) led the team as high scorer with 33 cumulative points for the tournament. The Hawks defeated Johnakin Middle School with a score of 19-9 and defeated Darlington Middle School with a score of 23-15. New Heights lost to overall 2nd place Sneed Middle in a tiebreaker. Participating in the tournament were 8th graders, Jackson Sims, Wyatt Foard, Tyson Snow, Kirk Morgado, and Oliver Laney and 6th graders, Isaiah Johnson, Rayson Funderburk, and Rhyon Terry. Going into the tournament, the team had a 3-3 record for the regular season having defeated Hemingway, McColl, and Hannah-Pamplico. We are very proud of our Hawks. This is the first year New Heights has had an Academic Challenge Team. Coaches are Mrs. Louanne Smith and Mr. Ernest Abicht.