The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Breakthrough
Milan grabs first win, 71-66 at New Boston
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2008
The Milan boys' basketball team is winless no more.
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The Big Reds welcomed back injured center Erik Gunderson Thursday for a road game at New Boston Huron and celebrated with a come-from-behind 71-66 victory over the Chiefs.
The win improved Milan to 1-11 overall and 1-5 in Huron League play. Head coach Jeremy Davies said that after a series of close calls over the past few weeks, the Big Reds were ready to finish one off.
"We've been in that situation so many times. I think the guys knew what they had to do," he said. "The best part of it is that feeling when you win. We want to cherish that, remember that, and feel like that at the end of every game we play."
While the return of Gunderson and the addition of 6-2 freshman forward DeAndre Mitchell, who had averaged double digits in both points and rebounds for the Milan freshman team, solidified Milan's presence in the post, the team was led as usual by seniors Zach McGovern and Brandon Duval, who combined to hit four three-pointers and score 37 points.
"Zach only had three points at the half and responded well in the second. But we've expected him to deliver. That's no surprise to anybody," Davies said. "With Brandon, it has been amazing to see his confidence grow this season. He used to come off of screens and hesitate. Now, he knows he's going to shoot and that's made a huge difference. He's come a long way."
The game's turning point came in the third quarter. Milan had gone into halftime trailing 32-28 after giving up 19 second-quarter points, but exploded for 25 points in the third to outscore the Chiefs by 12 and take a 53-45 lead into the final period.
The Chiefs would make it a nervous eight minutes, taking advantage of Gunderson's fifth foul to score 21 points in the period and cut the lead to two at one point. But the Big Reds went 14-19 from the free throw in the period and scored just enough points of their own to hold on for the victory.
"A big part of it was that we had nine people dressed," Davies said. "Erik played 10 minutes, Mitchell played some minutes, and that makes a big difference. We have to get Zach some time on the bench, have to get point guard Paul (Irwin) some rest. This time we were able to do that."
McGovern finished with 21 points to the lead the Big Reds, followed by Duval with 16. Paul Irwin continued his recent strong all-around play with 12 points and the team-lead in rebounds. Demetries Love finished with six points, while Lance Smith added five.
On the block, Gunderson hit all four free throws he attempted to finish with eight points while Mitchell added three in his debut.
The return of legitimate size in Gunderson and Mitchell was a big help, Davies said.
"Just because of their size, they definitely get noticed (by the other team)," he said. "Even when they're not scoring, just to have that presence and pull down those rebounds is big."
Whether the win would lead to further success down the road, Davies wasn't ready to say.
"We'll find out Tuesday," he said, referring to their game at Riverview. "They took it to us pretty good the first time, but we're playing a completely different style now. It will be fun."
Milan hosts Flat Rock 7 p.m. Friday on Hall of Fame night.
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