Madison County enjoyed its highest offensive output of the season Tuesday in a 90-71 victory over host Oconee County in the second round of the Warrior Holiday Classic.
Bradley Raines scored 23 points and had seven assists, while Stan Maxwell added 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Madison County upped its record to 11-2.
The Red Raiders have now reached double figures in victories for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.
Madison County was to take on South Gwinnett Wednesday in the Warrior Holiday Classic championship, but results weren’t available at press time. South Gwinnett advanced to the Elite Eight in Class AAAAA last season.
The Red Raiders carried a five-game winning streak into that contest.
Madison County heated up from the outside in its victory over Oconee County, drilling nine three-pointers.
“There’s a lot of times that we don’t even shoot nine three’s,” coach Steve Crouse noted.
Trae Burton hit three of those three-pointers in the second quarter as he scored 15 points.
Madison County, which jumped out to a 24-8 first quarter lead, was able to score in the paint was well with post player Patrick McCrary adding 17 points.
Madison County had 28 assists in the game versus only 14 turnovers.
“We’ll take that two-to-one assist to turnover ratio anytime,” Crouse said.
The game pitted Crouse against former Madison County High School player Michael Youngblood, who’s now the head coach at Oconee County.
Youngblood is also a former assistant coach at MCHS, working under Crouse earlier this decade.
“His whole family was there, so I got to see his younger brother, Chad, who played for me … It was good to get the win, but it’s good to see him do well and have success over there and get to watch him coach,” Crouse said.
•MCHS 63, Athens Academy 43 (Dec. 29): Madison County cruised to its 10th victory of the year with a 63-43 victory Monday over Athens Academy in the Warrior Holiday Classic at Oconee County High School.
The Red Raiders led 26-13 after a quarter and 41-21 at the half.
“I was really pleased with our effort right out of the box,” Crouse said.
Bradley Raines led Madison County with 15 points and six rebounds, while Stan Maxwell had a good floor game with 14 points, six boards and four assists.
Patrick McCrary added 10 points and six rebounds and Trae Burton hit two three pointers and scored 10 points. The sophomore also had five steals.
MCHS 90, Oconee Co. 71 (Dec. 29)
MCHS 24 21 21 24 — 90
OCHS 8 19 20 24 — 71
Scorers: Raines 23, Maxwell 19, P. McCrary 17, Burton 15, McKeever 6, Parrish 5, McGuire 3, Robinson 2
MCHS 63, Athens Academy 43 (Dec. 28)
MCHS 26 15 20 2 — 63
AA 13 8 7 15 — 43
Leading scorers: Raines 15, Maxwell 14, McCrary 10, Burton 10
