The Madison boys basketball team fought through a back-and-forth contest Tuesday, Jan. 20, but ultimately fell to Hartford, 6268, in a game that stayed close until the final minutes.
The evening opened with only boys games on the schedule, as the girls matchups were canceled due to Hartford not having enough available players.
Madison came out strong in the first quarter, edging Hartford 21-18 behind balanced scoring and active defense. The intensity carried into the second quarter, with neither team able to pull away. By halftime, the score was knotted at 33–33, setting the stage for a tightly contested second half.
The third quarter continued the trend, with Madison narrowly taking a 52-51 lead into the final period. Despite the slim advantage, Hartford responded with a strong fourth-quarter push, and Madison fell, 62-68.
Madison was led offensively by Alba-Mendez with 18 points, followed closely by Brayden Grimmett with 17 and Octavian Dean with 14. Cory Yowell added seven points, while Lane Smith and Cooper Luthi each contributed three.
Up Next
The Madison Bulldogs are slated to compete in the Lyon County League basketball tournament at White Auditorium, in Emporia this week, Jan. 26-31.
