Milford’s experience stood it in good stead Dec. 19 when the Eagles hosted Centennial for a county and conference clash.
“We were overwhelmed from the get-go,” CHS Coach Cam Scholl said.
The Eagles held Centennial to single-digit scoring in all four quarters and saw a running clock starting early in the third quarter en route to a 79-27 victory.
Scholl said the Broncos’ effort was better in the second half, but the offense struggled against the Milford zone.
“It’s hard to score inside with their size and against their quickness on the perimeter,” Scholl said.
Milford Coach Mitchell Marvin said the Eagles tried to implement what they’d learned against Norris earlier in the week and were able to increase the game’s tempo, doing a good job moving the ball and pressuring the Bronco offense.
“It was cool to see us run the floor and defend full court,” Marvin said.
Milford point guard Zeb Reil did not miss from beyond the three-point arc, hitting all six of his attempts and finishing with 18 points.
“Rhythm is a real thing,” Marvin said.
Colby Rautenberg led the team with 19 points, including two dunks. Gage Dunlap scored 14 and grabbed eight rebounds.
Owen Naber and Jake Hoffschneider scored seven each for the Broncos, and Kade McFadden added six.
Centennial opened the week Dec. 16 with a 62-37 loss at Fairbury. Scholl said the Jeffs got hot from three and were able to pull away. The Bronco defense struggled to make stops early, but the team played better in the third quarter, bringing a sense of urgency, Scholl said.
“We had a hard time scoring against their physicality,” he said. “That was the theme for the week. We’re not a big team, and we struggle against size and physicality.”
Milford’s week opened with a 103-41 loss to Class B No. 1 Norris in Milford. Marvin said the Eagles got to see a team do what Milford does only at a very high level.
“Norris is the best team I’ve ever seen,” Marvin said.
Marvin said the team saw that the ball never touched the floor, and that was something it tried to bring to the court in its next games.
Rautenberg led Milford with 13 points against the Titans. Dunlap grabbed seven rebounds.
Centennial finished its week at Superior with a 65-46 loss. Scholl said SHS’s senior class has played a lot for the Wildcats, and its offense got off to a hot start.
“We were able to score, but our defense had a hard time stopping people,” Scholl said.
Naber led the team with 16 points, and Chase Robinson added 12.
Milford finished the week with a loss at Ashland-Greenwood.
“They played a different style even from years past,” Marvin said.
He said the Bluejays tried to control the tempo and keep the game slow. AG held Milford to two points in the first quarter, but the rest of the game was basically even.
“The story was little things stacking up,” Marvin said.
Rautenberg was one rebound short of a double double with 12 points and nine rebounds and also blocked six shots. Gus Crabtree scored 10, as well.
The Broncos (1-5) were to play a pre-holiday tournament at East Butler Dec. 22 and 23. Milford (4-4) is at Lincoln Lutheran’s holiday tournament Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 30 and 31. MHS plays Holdrege Dec. 30 at 2:30 p.m. Platteview is the tournament’s other team.
