Sparkman And Madison Academy- Boys and Girls Teams In State Final Four
MADISON- Both Sparkman and Madison Academy have its boys and girls basketball teams in the State Tournament Tuesday through Friday in Birmingham. The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Tournament features the Final Four in all classifications and is held at the Birmingham-Jefferson County Civic Center.
In a coincidence, both Sparkman and Madison Academy will face off against same opposing schools in their classifications. Sparkman’s two Class 7A squads will play on Thursday, March 1. The girls face McGill-Toolen at 9:00 a.m. immediately followed by the boys who also face McGill-Toolen at 10:30 a.m. Meanwhile in Class 4A, the Lady Mustangs of Madison Academy tangle with Greensboro at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m. also against Greensboro.
For the Sparkman (30-4) boys, a pre-season favorite to do well with a new defense and high intensity level, a place in the Final Four was the team’s goal all along. “Yes, that’s been our mindset all season long and we have followed through with our intensity style of play,” said Jamie Coggins head coach of Sparkman. “Our offense has played well and have made some big plays during crucial times.”
Sparkman is being led by senior Darron Howard with 17 points per game. Malik Tyson, a junior, has added 14 per outing. A.J. Horton, Carrington Simpson and Ellis Lee all have played a prominent role into the success of the squad that will go up against a solid team in McGill-Toolen (24-6) in the 7A semi-final matchup. “This is their third straight appearance in the Final Four and we will have to be ready to play to do well,” added Coggins.
Sparkman made it to Birmingham via victories of 71-55 over Vestavia Hills and 70-63 over Hoover.
For the Lady Senators, they, too, will face the Mobile based school of McGill-Toolen (24-6) in a semifinal battle. “I believe this is their fourth year in a row they have made the Final Four and will be a good challenge for us,” said Patrick Delay head coach of the Lady Senators. “Our team plays as a unit as most of them have played together since middle school. They have confidence in one another and it seems we have a different star performer every game.”
Sparkman (29-5) have a starting five that average anywhere from seven to 11 points per game. Deyana Todd (11), both Derienne Black and Sierra McCullough with 10 each, Deserea Walker (9) and T.J. Webster (7). McCullough also has a team-high 39 blocked shots on the season. Black is the lone senior on the starting five. The Mustangs made it to the Final Four after posting victories of 66-53 over Tuscaloosa County and a hard-fought 55-54 win over No. 1 ranked Hoover.
“We’ve basically used 10 players all season and we kind of knew at the end of last summer this team could be special,” added Delay. “Our goal was to make it to the Final Four.”
The Madison Academy boys return to the Final Four for the first time since 2016 when they won the State Championship while in Class 3A. They posted victories of 63-49 over Anniston, 70-34 over Jacksonville and 67-62 against Handley to make it to Birmingham.
“This is not the most talented team I’ve ever had here at Madison Academy, but it is the best in team chemistry and each player knowing their role,” said Andy Blackston, head coach of Madison Academy in his 12th season at the helm. “I really didn’t know where this team would be defensively after a 9-3 start, but then we lost four straight games to very athletic teams. I challenged our players to play and commit to the defensive end of the floor. And now here we are.”
The 24-8 Mustangs are led by senior Calvin Walker with 14 points per game. Adding to the team mix is Calvin Bacon (12), Luke Tomlinson (12) and Reed Zitting (8). The 6-7 senior Zitting is also grabbing six rebounds per outing giving the Mustangs a comfort zone around the basket.
“We know Greensboro (23-11) has one elite player, but the entire team is very athletic and quick. Our players will be challenged,” said Blackston.
The Lady Mustangs also face Greensboro (24-6) in their semi-final game in the Final Four. Madison Academy cruised their way to the Magic City by way of victories of 43-36 over Anniston, 52-26 over Hokes Bluff and 45-31 over Jacksonville. At 26-7 on the season, the Mustangs are defending Class 4A State Champs and look to possibly have the upper hand on the competition going into the Final Four, despite not having a senior on the squad.
“We have three players returning off that squad last year and the talk of no seniors on this team has been on-going all season long, but since the post-season began, this team has been the most consistent we’ve been all season and we’re peaking at the right time,” said Alissa Hargett head coach of Madison Academy in her first year as head coach. “This group of girls have the love for the game for all the right reasons. They have the passion and competitiveness to succeed. Our identity has been our defense and will be the key to the game against Greensboro who is very athletic and quick. We will have the size advantage and that should help us a lot.”
Tops for the Lady Mustangs is Jaden Langford, younger sister of current Michigan State standout and former All-State Madison Academy player Joshua Langford. She leads the team in scoring with 16.6 points per game, in three point shooting (38-percent) and in rebounding and assists. Halia Morris adds 9.6 points per game and Jasmine Gracie (5.5 p/pg).
“This opportunity for us is just a platform that God has given us and that takes the pressure off us knowing we’re playing for his glory,” added Hargett.
