Date: Tue, Feb 26

Opponent: vs. LaSalle High School
OHSAA Tournament

Result: W 59 - 49

Location: Lakota West High School

RECAP:

Eagles Win Again; Advance In Boys Hoops Tourney With OT Triumph Over LaSalle

February 26 at Lakota West: Milford 59, LaSalle 49 (OT)

In a game where grit and sheer determination ruled, the Milford High School boys basketball team overcame a 13-point second half, then dominated overtime on the way to a 59-49 upset of No. 6 LaSalle in the OHSAA Tournament. Seeded No. 17, the Eagles advance to Friday’s district semi-final where it will meet No. 3 Mason. Tip time is 7 p.m. at Lakota West.

The Eagles got a spark at the end of the third quarter from Caleb Farrell who sank a half court shot at the buzzer that drew them to within 33-31. The fourth quarter was a slugfest with Milford coming up with a defensive stop at the end to force OT.

Another big spark on the night came from senior Cade Riesenberg who came off the bench for eight points and five huge rebounds. His driving move in the paint with under a minute left tied the game at 46 and set the stage for OT.

The Lancers were able to stymie Milford leading scorer Steven Huxell who connected on just 1 of 11 field goals, but made 8 of 9 from the free throw line. His efficiency helped the Eagles drain 19 of 22 from the line for the game.

The victory also held special meaning as it represented the 200th victory at Milford for longtime head coach Joe Cambron.

GAME REWIND

The first half was predictably hard fought with the Lancers leading 11-7 after eight minutes and Milford finally taking its first lay-up on a nifty reverse lay-up by Ferrell with just over five minutes remaining in the second. Late in the second, Jack Liles connected on a shot in the paint for two of his team-high 17 points and the Eagles got a stop to leave the score 20-17 LaSalle at the break.

At the start of the second half, LaSalle’s Nathan Vogelpohl and Jaylen Lemons keyed a 13-3 run that pushed the Lancers out in front 33-20 with 3:38 remaining. But the Eagles refused to stay down, as six points by Jake Ayler and Farrell’s heave at the horn were part of an 11-0 Milford run that drew them within two with eight minutes to play.

The fourth quarter was a battle that featured five of the game’s seven ties. LaSalle drew out to a modest five-point advantage with less than five to play, but a three and a lay-up by Liles tied the game again. Lemons made two free throws for LaSalle and about a minute later, Riesenberg’s move to the hole tied the game with under 60 seconds remaining. In the final five seconds, two LaSalle shots came up short forcing extra time.

Overtime was all Milford as an Ayler bucket put Milford in front to stay. Leading 48-47, Milford scored seven in row, five from the foul line, to take command. Four free throws in the final 40 seconds by Ayler produced the final 10-point winning margin.

RECORDS

Milford 13-11

LaSalle 12-11

KEY PLAYERS

Milford

Jack Liles 17 points, 8 rebounds

Jake Ayler 15 points

Steven Huxell 10 points, 4 rebounds

Cade Riesenberg 8 points, 5 rebounds (3 offensive)

LaSalle

Nathan Vogelpohl 18 points

Jaylen Lemons 12 points

Michael Wergers 4 points, 8 rebounds

NUGGETS OF NOTE: The Eagles, who finished the regular season ranked second in the ECC in free throw shooting at 67%, shot as season-best 86.4% from the line against the Lancers.

FINAL GAME STATS

Overall	PCT
13 - 12	0.520

Milford Athletics

2018-2019 Boys Varsity Basketball

Fri, Nov 30 Sycamore High School L 47 - 51 Milford HS Main Gym

Tue, Dec 04 Harrison High School W 52 - 34 Milford HS Main Gym

Fri, Dec 07 at Kings High School L 51 - 53 Kings High School

Tue, Dec 11 at Withrow High School L 33 - 35 Withrow High School

Fri, Dec 14 West Clermont High School W 57 - 46 Milford HS Main Gym

Tue, Dec 18 at Anderson High School W 61 - 46 Anderson High School

Sat, Dec 22 Edgewood High School W 68 - 39 Milford HS Main Gym

Thu, Dec 27 at Winton Woods High School L 37 - 44 Winton Woods High School

Sat, Dec 29 Shroder High School L 49 - 52 Milford HS Main Gym

Fri, Feb 01 Anderson High School Hall of Fame Induction W 74 - 30 Milford HS Main Gym

Tue, Feb 05 at Taft High School W 57 - 49 Taft High School

Thu, Feb 07 at Loveland High School W 55 - 45 Loveland High School

Tue, Feb 12 at Walnut Hills High School W 52 - 35 Walnut Hills High School

Fri, Feb 15 Turpin High School Senior Night L 45 - 54 Milford HS Main Gym

Fri, Feb 22 vs. Harrison High School OHSAA Tournament W 55 - 37 Lakota West High School

Tue, Feb 26 vs. LaSalle High School OHSAA Tournament W 59 - 49 Lakota West High School

Fri, Mar 01 vs. Mason High School OHSAA Tournament L 50 - 60 Lakota West High School