The Madison Academy Mustangs celebrate after their 75–51 dismantling of the Piedmont Bulldogs in the AHSAA Class 3A basketball state championship game in Birmingham Feb. 27. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM – Save for the first two points in the Class 3A basketball state title game – a jumper by Piedmont’s Darnell Jackson – Madison Academy (18-12) was in the driver’s seat the entirety of the Mustangs’ last game of the season, a 75–51 victory over the Bulldogs at the BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham Feb. 27.

There was never any doubt, either, of the tournament MVP and top performer of the evening. Josh Langford, the top player in Alabama for the Class of 2016 and five-star prospect, led all players with 19 points and 12 rebounds, including a 6-for-7 line from the charity stripe.

The title was Madison Academy’s second in three years, after losing to Barbour County 43-40 in last year’s final four.

“It was great to be able to come back to the state championship and start it off right,” Langford said.

The Mustangs led 22-7 at the end of the first period and finished the first half shooting a scorching 60.7 percent from the field, including 7–of–13 from the three-point line in the first 16 minutes.

“Tonight, the ball was moving, and moving, and moving to the most open guy to take the best shot.. it’s fun to watch,” Madison Academy head coach Andy Blackston said.

While the Mustangs didn’t drop one game all season to a fellow Class 3A opponent, the team did lose early contests and found itself 4–8 and without Langford at the Huntsville Times Class in December after he injured himself against Bob Jones Dec. 5.

Langford returned Jan. 3 and rejoined teammates who had crossed over after helping win the school’s third straight state football title. Once the lineup was set, it was full speed ahead for the Mustangs, with Blackston praising his team for sharing and passing the ball efficiently – Madison Academy had 17 assists compared to Piedmont’s four.

“I was really proud of how our guys came together tonight.”

Myles Parker scored 12 points for the Mustangs, while Will Acuff and Cole Tomlinson had 11. Darnell Jackson led Piedmont with 17 points.