Mustangs clinch area title

The Mustangs (12-9) secured the right to host the Area 15 tournament. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy, coming off two straight losses, got back on the winning track last week with three straight wins – two coming in Class 3A, Area 15 boys basketball action.

That’s not unusual for the Mustangs, who have won eight of the last 10 area championships outright.

But this week, highlighted by an overtime win over Lauderdale County, was particularly a success, since Michigan State signee Josh Langford was sidelined with an ankle injury.

After a 78-76 win stoked by Wil Acuff’s 30 points over West Morgan last Friday, Mustangs coach Andy Blackston said it was “a really good game, and our guys did a really great job winning in overtime. I was so proud of our guys.’’

The Mustangs (12-9) secured the right to host the Area 15 tournament. Earlier in the week, they knocked off area foe Lauderdale County 65-35 and downed non-league opponent Catholic 65-42 Saturday.

Myles Parker had 25 points against Catholic.

All of those games were at Madison Academy, which was scheduled to play Clements at home last night in its final Area 15 game before plunging back into a mine field of non-3A action with a game at Johnson Friday night.

Johnson, 4A, and Madison Academy both entered the week as the No. 1-ranked teams in their classes. Both are defending state champions and sport the state’s top candidates for Mr. Basketball in the senior Langford and Jaguars junior John Petty.

Blackston said he did not know if Langford would be back in action this week.