Time was ticking away for the Milford girls.
Centennial had led much of the game. The Eagles tied the score at 29-29 at the end of the third quarter, but CHS had taken the lead back, 36-34, with three minutes to play.
The Broncos struggled from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, going 0-6 in the period, CHS Coach Eric Kloke said.
With 30 seconds to play, Milford’s Kylie Jakub got the ball on the left side of the court and took a three-point shot.
It swished through the net to give MHS a 37-36 lead. Izzy Yeackley made a pair of free throws with 5.4 seconds left to extend the lead to three.
Centennial’s Ella Wambold had a three-point attempt at the buzzer that didn’t go in, and the celebration was on for the Eagles.
“It’s a rivalry game,” MHS Coach Bryce Roth said. “You have to play well to win. I don’t know if either team played their best, but we showed a lot of guts. We made enough plays down the stretch.”
Kloke said the Broncos were worried about Yeackley and Ayla Roth, both of whom can hit from distance. Roth missed last week’s games with a shoulder injury and wore a wrap Dec. 15.
“She’s a tough cookie,” Kloke said. “She knocked down some big shots.”
Addi Mowinkel had the hot hand, however. The Milford senior went 4-9 from three and finished with 14 points.
“Addi had a terrific night,” Coach Roth said.
He said Jakub, the team’s point guard, showed a lot of poise, as well.
“It shows the trust we have. So many have hit shots,” the coach said.
Ella Wambold led the Broncos with 13 points and was 3-7 from three. Cora Payne added six points, nine rebounds and two steals, with Averie Stuhr scoring eight.
Ayla Roth finished with 12 points for the Eagles, and Ashlynn Miller pulled down six rebounds.
The game was similar to the match-up with Fairbury Dec. 12, Kloke said. The Broncos built a lead, saw it slip away and then disappear in the closing moments.
CHS led the Jeffs 10-0 in the first quarter with the full court 1-3-1 press giving FHS fits, Kloke said.
“Then they started to chip away and hit a three late to go up one,” he said.
Centennial’s 22 turnovers were one of the deciding factors, along with a 2-7 night at the free throw line.
Payne scored 16 points to lead the offense. Bargen finished with four points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.
After the heartbreaking loss to Milford, the Broncos came back Dec. 16 to play Superior and sent the Wildcats home with a 44-37 loss.
“It was the same thing,” Kloke said. “But we did a better job managing the ends of quarters.”
CHS also shot better at the free throw line, making 10 of 16 attempts, including 7-10 in the fourth quarter.
“Cora and Cate stole the show,” he said.
Payne finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Bargen added 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Dec. 16 did not go as well for the Eagles, who suffered their first loss of the season. MHS couldn’t keep up with Ashland-Greenwood and lost 48-33.
Coach Roth said the Eagles got off to a good start, but Yeackley and Ayla Roth got into foul trouble.
“I thought our defense did not have its best night,” the coach said.
He was pleased with how the team started the second half, cutting the AG lead to eight, but the first four minutes of the fourth quarter spelled defeat.
AGHS was 6-15 from three, while Milford made just two of seven from beyond the arc. Coach Roth said MHS rushed its shots and hurried its possessions.
“Ashland did everything right to win,” he said.
Ayla Roth finished with 15 points, and Yeackley added 10 for Milford.
The Broncos (3-3) are now off until the holiday tournament at Malcolm Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29 and 30.
The Eagles (5-1) were to host North Bend Central Dec. 19 and then travel to Aurora Thursday, Dec. 21, for a 6 p.m. game.
