Muscle Shoals High School

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.

Academics

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]

Athletics

Muscle Shoals High School currently plays in Class 6A 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. 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 had a 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. This year under the direction of Scott Basden the MSHS Varsity team made it to the next to last round in the playoffs and had one of the best seasons ever for the team.

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.

Band

The Muscle Shoals High School band program was founded in 1965 by Charles Stratford, graduate of Louisiana State University. 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.

In 2012 the band lost two of their directors, Terry Ownby and Pat Stegall. Terry resigned to take the band directors position at Wallace State and Pat retired and took a position at the University of North Alabama. However, they hired two new directors. Will Campbell and Nathan Haskew became part of the family of music at MSHS. The marching band was awarded 2 Grand Champion awards and 3rd place in The Heart of Dixie competition with their show "The Piano Lesson". The concert band made superior ratings at MPAs and went to Disney World to compete.They also were delighted to have the opportunity to rename the MSHS auditorium in honor of former band director Charles R. Stratford at their Spring Concert.

Percussion

The Muscle Shoals High School Drumline has earned the reputation as one of the finest programs in Alabama and the Southeast. They consistently earn Superior Ratings, 1st Place, and Grand Champion awards.

In 2008, after many years of in-state competition, they 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 placed 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. In 2013 their show was called "School for Scandal". They placed second at WGI and competed in Disney as well.

Alumni

• Jason Allen – currently playing cornerback for the Houston Texans
• Dennis Homan – wide receiver that played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs
• Leigh Tiffin – former place kicker for the Alabama Crimson Tide
• Rece Davis – ESPN college football personality.

References

External links

• Muscle Shoals City School System
• Alabama High School Athletic Association
• Alabama Music Educators Association

Coordinates: 34°44′35″N 87°38′48″W / 34.74306°N 87.64653°W / 34.74306; -87.64653