Photo Submitted
The MCHS Cowboys were tournament champs in the Baker County Florida First Coast Classic. Pictured, in the front row, from left to right, are: Freddie Weatherspoon, Daryl Hopkins, Stevie Williams, and Deonte Robinson. Pictured, in the back row, from left to right, are: Coach Jerry Alexander, Jim Flournoy, Ken Hawkins, Tre Adams, Kris Allen, Dilan Lawson, Scorekeeper Rene Demps, Coach Mike Lawson, Josiah Mitchell, Travis Jay, Vincenta Mitchell, Camera Operator Alana Demps, Bailey Browning, Head Coach Allen Demps, and ZaKobe Fead.
Rick Patrick, Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys varsity basketball team wrapped up a successful three day tournament in Baker County as champions of the 2016 Baker County High School Florida First Coast Classic Tournament. Defense proved to be the key to victory for the Cowboys as they won the eight team tournament in three games.
In the first game on Wednesday, Dec. 28, the Cowboys took on Glover Prep Academy. The Cowboys came out with a 56-45 victory. Kris Allen led the Cowboys in scoring with 16 points, followed by Dilan Lawson's nine points. Josiah Mitchell had a solid game on both ends of the court, scoring eight points, while snatching eight rebounds and blocking five shots. Bailey Browning contributed to the Cowboys' defensive effort with 10 steals. In total, the Cowboys forced 30 turnovers during the game.
In the second game of the tournament, the Cowboys faced the host school, Baker County, on Thursday, Dec. 29. Baker County came into the game sporting a 6-1 record. Again, the Cowboys came out on top with a final score of 65-51. Mitchell was the leading scorer for the Cowboys, racking up 18 points. Mitchell also had seven rebounds, two blocks, and three steals. Lawson had 13 points, including three of four from the three-point-line. Tre Adams scored 10 points and had eight rebounds, while Kris Allen contributed nine points and five assists to the Cowboys' victory. The Cowboys held Baker County to just 30 percent shooting from the court.
In the championship game on Friday, Dec. 30, the Cowboys took on Robert E. Lee High School out of Jacksonville. Lee had an impressive 11-3 record coming into the game with the Cowboys. The Cowboys won the game with a 70-43 final score. Travis Jay led the Cowboys with a career high 24 points. Jay also had seven assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Allen proved his worth as a deep threat, scoring 15 points with five baskets from the three-point-line. Allen also had three steals for the Cowboys. Adams had 12 points, five steals, six rebounds, and two blocks; while Lawson added 10 points to the Cowboys' total. Mitchell had another productive game on both ends, scoring seven points, while grabbing eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Defensively, the Cowboys forced 27 turnovers and held Lee to 28 percent shooting from the court. Allen was named the Tournament MVP for his outstanding play throughout the tournament.
The Cowboys' season gets back into full swing on Wednesday, Jan. 4 when they take on district foe Jefferson County at 7:30 p.m. in Monticello. The Cowboys then travel to Perry to face rival, Taylor County, on Friday, Jan. 6, at 8:30 p.m. The Cowboys finish their weekend road series in Jasper against Hamilton County, on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. The Cowboys next home game will be on Thursday, Jan. 12, as they take on the Tigers from Jefferson County Middle/High School. Tip off for that game is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Cowboys are now ranked number one in the district with a 10-2 record.