In its only game of the week, the Milford boys’ basketball team held off a fourth-quarter rally by Thayer Central to down the Titans 51-39 Jan. 14.
“They are scrappy, strong and not afraid of contact,” Coach Mitchell Marvin said of the Titans. “Our kids love physical play. We want to create a football style of basketball.”
Cayden Baker finished with 15 points and Nelson Girmus added 13. Because of a technical glitch, the first quarter stats were not available, but Baker had 10 rebounds in the final three periods, and Girmus added eight.
Marvin was happy with the energy the Eagles brought to the court. MHS led 18-3 at the end of the first quarter.
“They came out firing,” Marvin said. “It was cool for them to see the process come together. They’re reaping the reward of the work we’ve put in.”
He said the game was a good one to push the message that playing with energy and fire is a key to success. He said the Thayer Central crowd tried to make the MHS gym a hostile environment for the Eagles, but Milford’s bench helped overcome that.
“The boys enjoyed it. I enjoyed it,” Marvin said.
He said the players are embracing their roles, even though some of changed since the start of the season. Chase Nitzsche, for example, has been given more of a focus as a point guard. He has done a good job pushing the tempo and upping the transition game.
“He is great at understanding the game,” Marvin said.
Jack Stahl has also stepped into his role, bringing energy to the bench and leading the JV team in its games, Marvin said.
“The kid is fearless,” he said.
Up next for Milford (6-7) was a trip to Columbus Lakeview Jan. 17 and a home game against David City Friday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. MHS defeated Lakeview 36-32.
