The Milford girls’ basketball team picked up its second consecutive Southern Nebraska Conference title Feb. 4, defeating Superior 51-34 in the championship game.
“It was a fantastic week,” Coach Bryce Roth said. “It was a special night to win back to back. We were happy to make a run at the right time. It’s good preparation for the postseason.”
The team was focused going into the final game, he said.
“They were so dialed in,” Roth said. “Superior hasn’t lost since December (when Milford beat them). They were hungry for revenge.”
That revenge will have to wait. Milford led 16-9 after the first quarter and 26-15 at halftime. A 17-5 third quarter put the game out of reach, although Superior made things interesting with 14 points in the fourth, the coach said.
Milford played efficient offense and committed just 10 turnovers against a defense that likes to force teams into a faster tempo, Roth said.
Four Eagles finished the game in double figures. Ayla Roth led the way with 15 points, followed by Tanya Miller with 12, Kaitlin Kontor with 11 and Izzy Yeackley with 10. Kontor added seven rebounds, and Ayla Roth delivered eight assists.
“We did a great job managing the lead,” Coach Roth said, adding that Milford’s discipline and maturity showed through in the second half.
Milford held off Centennial in the semifinals 31-26 in what Coach Roth described as a great battle.
“We knew it would be a tough test, majorly tough,” he said. “It was a defensive stalemate. We knew it would be because Jake (Polk) does a great job. They defend well and that made it tough.”
Centennial came out on fire and hit four three-pointers in the first quarter and led 13-6 at the end of the period. The MHS defense cranked up in the second quarter and shut out the Broncos, which Coach Roth was happy to see.
“It’s hard to get to the conference final,” he said. “We had to earn it. This showed how resilient they are. I’m proud of these girls and honored to represent Milford in the final.”
Ayla Roth led the team with 15 points, and Miller grabbed seven rebounds.
The week opened with a 56-5 win over Wilber-Clatonia Jan. 31. Ayla Roth scored 21 and was 5-5 from three-point range.
“We played lights out,” Coach Roth said. “We shot unbelievably and defended tough.”
The game broke the school record for fewest points allowed. The previous record was 12 in a game against Geneva in the 1974-75 season.
Milford (19-3) ends its regular season Friday, Feb. 10, at home against Sandy Creek. Subdistricts start Monday, Feb. 13. Brackets were not available at press time.
