| Muscle Shoals High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 1900 Avalon Avenue | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public school |
| Established | 1962, new facility opened in 1999 |
| School district | Muscle Shoals City School District |
| Principal | Mr. H.L. Noah |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 700–800 |
| Color(s) | Scarlet & Black |
| Mascot | Trojans |
| Information | (256) 389-2682 |
| Website | MSHS |
Muscle Shoals High School is the sole public secondary education institution in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. MSHS was recently awarded the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Award for Excellence.
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Traditionally. Muscle Shoals students excel academically. Based on the Alabama Reading and Math Test scores, the system has consistently placed among the top 10 school districts in one or more areas in most grade levels. Another tradition is the strong parental support of the school's programs with a majority of the parents being involved in one or more programs throughout the year. Still, another tradition is the large number of students who pursue post-secondary educational programs each year. It is not uncommon for this number to be at or above 90%.[1]
Muscle Shoals High School currently plays in Class 5A of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA).
Football
On February 26, 2008, the Muscle Shoals Board of Education unanimously approved Scott Basden as new Head Coach and Athletic Director for MSHS. His salary was reported to be one of the highest in the states: $83,500. He is replacing former Head Coach Curley Hallman who resigned in December after compiling a 4–6 record for the 2007-08 season and a 14–26 record in his four years at Muscle Shoals.
In Scott Basden's first season at Muscle Shoals, the Trojans racked up a dismal 2–8 record.In Basden's second season as the Trojan head coach they went to the second round of the playoffs with a "turn around" record of 9–3.
Basketball
In 2007, the Boys' Basketball team advanced to the Alabama Northwest Regionals at Wallace State Community College beating Wenonah High School in the Quarterfinals but losing to Decatur High School in the Semi-Finals. In 2008, after losing a number of seniors and starters, the Boys' team made it back to Wallace; in Quarterfinals, they beat opponent Walker High School. In the Regional Semi-Finals, the Trojans went up against Russellville High School. Russellville came away with the victory with a score of 67-66.
Volleyball
The Muscle Shoals Lady Trojans Volleyball team have been quite successful in the past: from 1998–2001, they were the Class 5A State Champions.
Tennis
The Boys' Tennis team won the Class 5A State Championship in 2002, 2005, and 2010. The Girls' Tennis team also won the Class 5A State Championship in 2010.
The Muscle Shoals High School band program is known throughout the State of Alabama as one of the finest programs the state has to offer. The marching band has received Superior ratings every year since 1966, along with dozens of First Place, Best in Class, and Grand Champion awards. In 2001, they traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to be the first band from Alabama to compete in Bands of America (BOA). Since then, the band has been Class A Champions in Atlanta four times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). At the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Festival, the Muscle Shoals High School Symphonic Band has earned Superiors for the past 13 consecutive years. In 2005, the band traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the All-Star Music Festival. There they were awarded Grand Champions in Parade Band, Concert Band, Concert Percussion, and Jazz Band. In 2009, they returned to the Orlando All-Star Music Festival to receive once again the Grand Champion title in Concert Band, Concert Percussion, and Jazz Band.
During the 2007-08 season, the marching band won the Grand Champion trophy at the Dixie Pride Marching Classic and the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational and won 3rd Place in Class A at the Bands of America Atlanta Super Regional.
The Muscle Shoals High School band program was founded in 1965 by Charles Stratford, graduate of Louisiana State University. Leaving an outstanding legacy, director emeritus Stratford retired in 1988 and left the band under the direction of his son-in-law Pat Stegall. Stegall continues his work with Muscle Shoals' band program today with the companionship of David Waters, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion, and Terry Ownby, Director of Bands at Muscle Shoals Middle School.
The Muscle Shoals High School Drumline has earned the reputation as one of the finest programs in Alabama and the Southeast. They consistly earn Superior Ratings, 1st Place, and Grand Champion awards.
In 2008, after many years of in-state competition, David Waters, Director of Percussion, decided to move his percussion concert ensemble to the national level and enrolled in various Winter Guard International (WGI) and Southeastern Color Guard Circuit (SCGC) events. With their show Samson & Delilah, featuring "Bachanalle", the ensemble placed 1st at the 2008 SCGC Championships in the Scholastic Concert Open class, and at the WGI World Championships they placed third in the nation in Scholastic Concert Open.
In 2009, the ensemble competed again in WGI and SCGC with their show, "Carmen". They played first in Scholastic Concert Open class, both in Winter Guard International and Southeasten Color Guard Circuit.
Their 2010 show was entitled "Letters From War". They were awarded the silver medal at the Scholastic Concert World Class WGI Competition and first in the SCGC.
The band is currently under the leadership of Pat Stegall (Director of Bands), David Waters (Assistant Director of Bands, Percussion) and Terry Ownby (Assistant Director of Bands, Brass, Director of Muscle Shoals Middle School Bands).