Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
It was an exciting evening of basketball action in the Madison County High School (MCHS) gym on Tuesday, Jan. 2. That's when the MCHS junior varsity and varsity basketball teams hosted the Scorpions of Crossroad Academy, from Quincy, Fl.
Madison County High School Cowboy Vincenta Mitchell (#1) leaps for the tip-off to open the contest with the Scorpions of Crossroad Academy from Quincy, Fl.
In the first game of the hoops double-header, the MCHS junior varsity team tangled with the Crossroad junior varsity squad. The Cowboys held a lead throughout the first half and carried a 28-15 advantage into half-time. However, the Scorpions went on a 13-3 run in the third period to tighten the score to 31-28 at the end of the third quarter. The Scorpions managed to tie the score at 40 with four seconds left in regulation. That score remained, calling for a five-minute overtime period. The Scorpions took the early lead in the overtime period, before the Cowboys came from behind to win the nail-biter with a 50-49 final score.
In the second game of the evening's twin-bill, the MCHS varsity team took on the Crossroad varsity team. Unlike the earlier game of the evening, this game was one of speed and dominance on the part of the Cowboys. The opening tip-off went in the Cowboys' favor, and Ken Hawkins immediately sank the first of his two three-point shots of the evening to give the Cowboys the early lead. The Scorpions were able keep the game relatively close as the Cowboys held a 16-12 advantage at the end of the first period. The Cowboys took advantage of numerous Scorpion turnovers and used their team speed to open the second quarter with an 11-1 run to build a 27-15 half-time lead. The Cowboys put together a flurry of three-point shots from “downtown” in order to extend their lead to 54-26 at the end of the third quarter. In the final period, the Cowboys cruised to a 72-37 final score.
Vincenta Mitchell led the Cowboys in scoring with 18 points and six rebounds. Jay racked up another triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Hawkins added 13 points for the Cowboys.
Travis Jay (#0) rushes down the court. The Cowboys scored 19 fast-break points against the Scorpions.
The Cowboys, now 9-2, will be on the road with contests against Jefferson County Somerset, Lowndes High, and Lafayette High before returning home to host the Trojans of Hamilton County High School on Saturday, Jan. 13 for a full evening of basketball action. The MCHS boys' junior varsity will play at 5:30 p.m. The MCHS girls' varsity team will play at 7:30 p.m., followed by the boys' varsity game at 8:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy some entertaining, fast-paced basketball action, and support your Cowboys and Cowgirls.
The Madison County High School boys' junior varsity basketball team has its sights set on a successful season. Pictured on the bottom row, from left to right, are: Riley Borger, Shedrick Johnson, Joseph Jackson, Derrion Staten, Michael Gibson, Zechariah Jones and Jeremiah Hodge. On the back row, from left to right, are: Assistant Coach Jerry Alexander, Robert Hiers, Zarrion Robinson, Octavious Davis, Dawson Herring, Howard Robinson, Nicholas Simmons, Anthony Davis, Devandre Washington and Head Coach James Mobley.