Madison completes undefeated regular season run

It was 32 years ago that Madison County last ran the table during the regular season. On Wednesday night, this year’s Mountaineers squad joined elite company after thumping Strasburg 71-27 en route to a perfect 22-0 regular-season record.
As he has all season long, David Falk dominated the play underneath the basket. The 6-foot-5 junior was the game’s top scorer and rebounder with 21 points and 11 boards.
“My dad was on that [1977] team,” Falk said. “They went 21-0, and it’s real nice for us to be able to do the same thing that they did. But it’s 0-0 now. We’re going to have to play one game at time.”
The Mountaineers held just a 3-point lead midway through the first quarter, but behind some 3-point shooting from senior Sam Utz, Madison ended the first frame on a 14-2 run to go up by 15.
In the second quarter, the 15-point lead ballooned to 23. Nothing changed in the second half, and the Mountaineers were able to coast to the much-anticipated victory.
“These kids have just worked so hard,” said Madison coach Tim Taylor, who’s in just his second season with the team. “I can remember a year and a half ago from where this group started, and to see where they are now, it’s amazing the way they finished this off. (After the game) they walked into the locker room and said, ‘Okay, guys. It’s 0-0 now.’ So they already know. We’re going to relish in this tonight, but we’ll be getting back to work tomorrow.”
Part of installing a winning culture at Madison has been promoting a winning attitude according to Taylor.
“I think winning is a mentality,” Taylor said. “You look at a Mike Krzyzewski or Roy Williams, and we wanted to bring that mentality that losing is not acceptable. I think that’s what turned this around. Did I envision going 22-0? No, not really. But did I envision a turnaround where we could possibly compete for a state title? Yes.”
Leading the Rams was Jamar Crawford, who had three 3-pointers and 12 points. Jordan Williams was the only other Strasburg player to score more than three points. He had eight.
“Obviously, we had a big challenge,” said Rams coach Millson French. “We had to shoot the ball well and we didn’t. We had some good shots, but they wouldn’t go down. And when they don’t go down, we struggle.”
Utz made the most of his senior night by hitting for 3-pointers and finishing with 14 points. The senior is excited to put the regular season behind him and focus on the playoffs.
“We’ve got to keep winning from here on out,” Utz said. “It’s not quite win or go home, but we’re going to play like it is. We’re looking at every game that way and we’re just going to keep working hard.”
Logan Terrell gave Madison three players with double figures, scoring 10 points to go along with his nine rebounds.