MC in state hoop semis

Madison County and Dan River will vie for a chance to play in the big dance when the teams meet in the state boys basketball semi-finals Thursday, March 12. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center in Richmond.

The history between the Mountaineers and the Wildcats is recent and still vivid in the minds of Madison Coach Tim Taylor’s squad. Dan River kept up with Madison like no team had ever done before this season when the pair faced off Feb. 28 in the Region B finals at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg. Madison emerged victorious in the match-up, 56-48.

But today’s semi-final will be more important than that game ever was because it is in a bigger arena — both literally and figuratively. Set in a huge VCU athletic facility, the game may actually even offer enough seating for the large, vocal “Madison Mania” contingent of fans that has been squeezing into the Mountaineers’ standing-room-only games. It also looms large by placing Madison in the “win or go home” scenario.

One big aspect of the last game against the Wildcats is that, defensively, the Mountaineers held James Madison University-bound Darren White, who averaged 19.5 points per game over the season, to only 5 points.

“Dan River is an outstanding team,” said Coach Taylor. “(They are a) very long, athletic and strong group who present an incredible challenge for our team.”
Dan River and Madison both are each teams that like to shape their game plans on the go and adjust to what the opponent is doing to try and counter the opposing side’s advances.

“I am sure they will make adjustments from our last game, as will we,” Taylor said.

No pre-sale tickets will be sold to the public, according to the Madison Mountaineer Athletics Web site. Tickets will be $10 each and will be available at the ticket window at the Siegel Center the day of the game.

The game marks the 29th of the season for the Mountaineers, with the team sitting at 28-0 on the year. Madison is only two games away from a state championship title – its first since 1978.

“This has the makings of a great game and one everyone has been waiting to see,” Taylor said.