Rick Patrick, Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Lady Broncos of Madison County Central School (MCCS) were looking to get the bitter taste of defeat out of their mouths when they hosted Wakulla Middle School on Monday, Dec. 5. The Lady Broncos came out playing very aggressively and built a fast 17-3 lead by the end of the first quarter. By halftime, that lead had grown to 23-4. Throughout the second half, the Lady Broncos continued that same aggressive play to win the contest by a final score of 35-8. Nigeria Wooten led the Lady Broncos in scoring with 12 points. Jamya Plummer and Ariel Akins also added five points each to the Lady Broncos' effort.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Lady Broncos traveled to Quincy to take on Shanks Middle School. Shanks took an early 13-0 lead before the Lady Broncos came back to tie the game at 17 at halftime. Shanks came out strong in the third quarter and carried a 24-21 lead into the final quarter. With the score tie at 29 and only 12 tics left on the clock, Wooten managed to snatch a long offensive rebound at the top of the key and hit a three point buzzer beater to seal the Lady Broncos' victory, 32-29. Plummer had 12 points for the Lady Broncos, while Zy'riena Wilson and Akins scored five points each.
On Thursday, Dec. 8, the Lady Broncos finished up their regular season with a home game against the Lady Bulldogs of Taylor County Middle School. The game started as a tight contest, with Taylor holding a slight 9-8 lead at the end of the first period. Then the Lady Broncos held the Lady Bulldogs scoreless in the second quarter and carried a 14-9 lead into halftime. The Lady Broncos never looked back in the second half, going on to win 32-19. Plummer led the Lady Broncos in scoring with 13 points. Wilson had eight points in the contest. The win brought the Lady Broncos' regular season final record to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in district play.
The Lady Broncos began their playoff quest on the road in Jasper, as they took on Hamilton County on Monday, Dec. 12. The Lady Broncos fell behind early before applying the defensive screws, holding Hamilton to only two points in the second quarter. The score was tied at 11 at the halftime. The Lady Broncos put together a scoring binge to begin the second half, building a 27-20 lead going into the final period. The Lady Broncos held on to win the contest with a final score of 35-28.