While Patrician Academy’s girls brought home a state championship for some of the folks in neighboring Choctaw County, another area team from Alabama didn’t fare so well in its bid for a three-peat.

Sumter County’s boys, who were going for a third straight Class 3A state title, dropped a 73-48 decision over the weekend to Madison Academy.

“I knew they had shooters and ball-handlers,” Sumter coach Alonzo Sledge told the Tuscaloosa News. “Once we got behind by double digits, I knew it was going to be a challenge to catch back up.”

Despite the loss against Madison — which shot an incredible 59 percent — Sumter still had a 27-2 season. In fact, the Wildcats had won 16 games in a row — including a buzzer-beating victory over former coach Johnny Patrick and Southeast Lauderdale after Christmas.

All-state performer Larry Foster led Sumter with 22 points, and he earned all-tournament honors for a second straight year.

But it wasn’t enough against Madison, which hit 14-of-18 shots in the second and third quarters.

“Those guys wanted to win,” Sledge said.