Pike County falls to Madison Academy in 3A state semifinals
BIRMINGHAM, AL (ahsaa.com)— Defending Class 3A state champion Madison Academy jumped to a 23-point lead by intermission en route to a 61-38 victory over Pike County in the Class 3A boys’ semifinal game of the 2016 State Basketball Finals at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
Coach Andy Blackston’s Mustangs (21-12) move into the 3A state finals Friday at 2:15 p.m. Madison Academy has won five state titles since 2006.
Senior Josh Langford had 14 points and nine rebounds, Myles Parker added 12 points and Collin Blanchard had 11 for the Mustangs. Langford also had four assists and two blocked shots.
Pike County (20-10), coached by Doug Holland, rallied in the second half to cut the lead to 13 but couldn’t get any closer. Jerrell Lawson, who had eight points, cleared a game-high 13 rebounds to pace the Bulldogs. Jahzarian Lampley had 11 points and Kamari Jackson had nine. The South Regional champions were making the school’s first-ever appearance in the state tournament.
The 3A girls’ finals will be Friday at 12:30 p.m. at the BJCC.
The 1A girls’ and boys’ finals will be Thursday at 4 and 5:45 p.m. respectively. Classes 2A, 3A and 4A play girls’ and boys’ championships Friday while the State Finals conclude Saturday with Classes 5A, 6A and 7A championship games.
