The week of the Southern Nebraska Conference tournament is always a big one, Milford girls’ basketball coach Bryce Roth said.
“We know we’ll get everybody’s best shot,” he said.
The Eagles took the shots, both literal and figurative, and brought home the trophy, the fourth time in a row Milford has won the conference tournament.
The week started with a 60-38 win over Centennial Feb. 4.
“They played us tough, especially inside. They have some size to try to match us,” Roth said.
The game was one of the team’s lowest scoring in the paint, with just 22 points. Roth said Despite that, Shayla Rautenberg and Ashlynn Miller scored 16 and 11 points, respectively. Roth said Centennial’s defense tried to contain the Milford guards, who were 6-22 from three for the game.
“We made enough plays down the stretch,” he said. “We defended really well, but we didn’t have an offensive rhythm.”
Senior Ayla Roth was battling illness all week, so freshman Abby Crabtree got her first varsity start.
The win put the Eagles in the semifinals Feb. 6 against Sutton. MHS held the Fillies to 13 first-half points en route to a 61-37 win.
“They bothered us the first time we played them” Coach Roth said. “We probably had as much focus, edge, energy as I’ve seen in that game.”
Milford was able to run early and led 26-5 after the first quarter. The team had 46 points in the paint but didn’t shoot well, the coach said.
Rautenberg led the team with 19 points, and Miller scored 17. Taylor Oldfield added 12. Crabtree got the start again and delivered eight assists.
“We were able to push the tempo and attack, and she found people,” Coach Roth said.
Although Izzy Yeackley only scored four, she grabbed 12 rebounds, which Coach Roth was pleased to see.
With the victory, Milford advanced to the championship game to play Thayer Central Feb. 8.
“To be in the conference championship is an honor,” Coach Roth said. “It shows the hard work, and they trust the process.”
He said there was some pressure on the team coming in to win its fourth title, with comparisons to teams past. Coach Roth emphasized that this team has its own identity.
“This is our team this year,” he said. “This is our opportunity this season to win.”
After a tight first quarter (15-13 Milford at its end), the Eagles started to pull away, outscoring the Titans 16-7 in the second and 17-9 in the third.
“We could tell we got to their legs in the third,” Coach Roth said.
Rautenberg again led the way with 17 points and Miller and Oldfield scored 11 each. Ayla Roth added 10 and Yeackley nine.
“I’m super proud of how they competed,” Coach Roth said. “The first time, we didn’t play up to our standard.”
The coach was pleased with how the team finished the week and handled the pressure of a four-peat.
“It was a fun night,” he said. “Thanks to the community for its support. The student section was phenomenal. It was humbling to see the number that came out to support us.”
Milford (19-1) had a couple days off before hosting Sandy Creek Friday, Feb. 14, in the last game of the regular season. Subdistrict pairings will be released later this week.
