Danville falls to Madison Academy
Kayloni Cross, Lacey Evans and Ashley Nance watch helplessly as Madison Academy leads late in the fourth quarter. | Brent Maze
Danville’s run to the state championship ended Saturday at the hands of Madison Academy 63-31 in the Class 3A finals.
The finish wasn’t what coach Paul Wilson wanted, but he said it was still a memorable season with Danville finishing second in the state.
“This is just one photograph in one beautiful album,” Wilson said. “I’m blessed. I’m not disappointed. I’m sad for these girls, but I’m blessed.”
Saturday’s game was the final one for the seven seniors on the Lady Hawks team, which finished with a record of 29-6. Over the last four years, Wilson said this class has amassed 98 wins and will go down as one of the best classes in team history.
Ashley Nance, one of those seniors and finished the game with 21 points and 6 rebounds, said she has no regrets about what her team accomplished this season.
“We busted our butts, like, all year, and I think we accomplished a lot,” Nance said. “We really wanted this game, but I’m really proud of what this team has done.”
Danville rallied from large deficits all through its run through the playoffs, rallying from 12 point deficits against Clements and West Morgan and knocking off the defending Class 2A and 3A champions.
However, the Lady Hawks couldn’t make one final comeback.
Madison Academy went on a 14-0 run to take a 20-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Nance scored the opening bucket of the second quarter, but that was as close as Danville could get. The Lady Mustangs steadily pulled away from that point as they cruised to the victory.
Madison Academy was led by Nyla Johnson and Amara Mayers, who both scored 16 points. Lydia McGee also added 10 points while Halie Loney, Kyera Fletcher and Sierra Jones all had 7 points each.
In addition to Nance’s 21 points, Lacey Evans finished with 3 points followed by Kayloni Cross with 2, Celese Sharbutt with 2, Nyleena Cross with 2 an Lindsay Simmons with 1.
Nance and Kayloni Cross both made the Class 3A All-Tournament Team. Madison’s Johnson was named the MVP.
