Mustangs ride roller coaster

Madison Academy placed fourth in the 16-team The Huntsville Times Classic at Huntsville High School last week. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy’s trek through The Huntsville Times Classic last week mirrored its basketball season to this point.

There were highs and lows.

The Class 3A Mustangs enjoyed good times to start the tournament played each year at Huntsville High School. They defeated two 7A teams – Florence and Grissom – in their first two games. The win over the Falcons broke a four-game losing streak, while the victory over the Tigers earned a berth in the semifinals.

Then came two straight losses against 6A power Lee and a surging 7A Hazel Green team in the third-place game.

Madison Academy (9-7, 3-0 in Area 15) headed into 2016 looking to break that two-game skid against area foe Lauderdale County at home.

Madison Academy is ranked No.1 in 3A in the latest rankings, which came out Dec. 16. The next Alabama Sports Writers Association poll is due Jan. 14.

In The Times Classic, Josh Langford had 26 points and six rebounds to lead a 65-28 win over Florence.

In a 68-62 win over Grissom, ranked No. 6 in 7A, Langford had 36 points and five rebounds, and Myles Parker and Cole Tomlison both added 11 points.

In a 75-68 loss to Lee, Langford had 27 points and 10 rebounds while Parker added 13 points and Will Acuff 11.

Langford had 25 points and seven rebounds in a 49-43 loss to Hazel Green.

The Mustangs host Area 15 foes West Morgan Friday and Clements Tuesday with a non-area home game Saturday against Catholic.