Hoover hands heartbreak to Mustangs

Hoover coach Donnie Quinn celebrates following Courtney Hunter's game-winning three over Madison Academy.

The No. 1-ranked Class 3A Madison Academy Lady Mustangs led the No. 2-ranked Class 6A Hoover Bucs for almost the entire game Tuesday night, except for the most crucial 2.3 seconds of the game, which also happened to be the last 2.3 seconds of the game.

After trailing nearly the entire game, the Bucs took the lead with just under 3 minutes remaining and then Courtney Hunter gave the Bucs the final lead as she nailed a three as time expired.

However, the officials put 2.3 seconds back on the clock, but the Mustangs’ inbound pass was intercepted as Hoover sealed the 48-47 victory.

“It’s difficult for the girls, but what a great game for us going into the (area) tournament,” Madison Academy head coach Brian Privett said. “I’m really proud of the girls. We have nothing to hold our heads down about tonight.”

After leading by three at the end of the third quarter, the Mustangs fell cold in the fourth quarter as Hoover captured its first lead of the game.

After the Bucs extended the lead to three, KeKe Fletcher answered for the Mustangs with a three before giving Madison Academy a 47-45 lead on an offensive put-back with 30 seconds remaining.

The Mustangs would not get another possession.

“We left too much time on the clock,” Privett said. “Sometimes the ball bounces that way.”

Offensively for the Mustangs, Fletcher finished with a team-high 17 points while Amara Meyers and Nyla Johnson each finished with nine points.

For Hoover, Chardonae Fuqua had a game-high 19 points, followed by Hunter with 10.

The Mustangs will begin Class 3A Area play Thursday at home at 7 p.m. against Brindlee Mountain.

Privett said games against teams like Hoover will help as the playoffs loom.

“It was very strategic,” Privett said of scheduling the likes of Class 6A’s top three teams: Sparkman, Hoover and Bob Jones.

The Mustangs took the Senators and the Bucs to the wire, while defeating the Patriots twice this season.

“It helps us get ready,” Privett said. “We showed poise and composure tonight and that’s what we’re going to need going in the tournament.”