East Meadow middle school brings on the March Madness

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In the spirit of March Madness, W.T. Clarke Middle School held its own tournament inspired by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Sixth through eighth-grade students from neighboring schools filled the W.T. Clarke gymnasium on March 23 to take part in the fast-paced event that replicated the national phenomenon.  

The tournament pit 32 teams against each other in three-on-three tournament-style games, eliminating each other until one team earned the title of March Madness Champions.

The spirit of competition was in the air and the tournament gave students the chance to hone their basketball skills while demonstrating teamwork, collaboration and sportsmanship.

Beginning in 1939, March Madness, or the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, is a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams that compete in seven rounds for the national championship. The term “March Madness” was first associated with the NCAA tournament when CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger used it during coverage of the 1982 tournament. The term has been synonymous with the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament ever since.

–Brian Stieglitz