The regionals “battle” is over for Madison Academy after suffering a 63-57 loss to Piedmont.

“I was really proud of our guys,” said Madison Academy Coach Andy Blackston. “We battled and battled.”

Eighth-grader Kerryon Johnson scored 18 points for the Mustangs.

“We kept pushing and kept fighting,” Johnson said. “We just came up short.”

The Mustangs trailed the Bulldogs until the fourth quarter.

With 3:07 remaining Senior Spencer Palmer made a three pointer to give Madison Academy the lead for the first time in the game. With 2:13 left he made another three to extend the Mustang’s lead to four.

“Those two three’s were huge,” Blackston said.

The Bulldogs answered and the Mustangs just couldn’t hold on.

“This is a tough way to lose,” Blackston said. “I kind of felt like we owned the second quarter.”

Palmer led the Mustangs with 21 total points and eight rebounds.

“Spencer’s a warrior,” Blackston said.

Madison Academy came into the semi-regionals with a 12-20 record. 

“Our record’s not the prettiest thing to look at,” Blackston said. “We felt like we were a better team than our record indicated and we thought this would be a chance to prove that.”

Blackston said injuries and youth have been challenges throughout the season.

“It’s been an adventure,” Blackston said.