The Milan Ladycat varsity basketball squad traveled North to Unionville to do battle against the Putnam County Midgets in a Grand Rivers Conference contest on Friday, January 6, 2024.
The Ladycats got back on track after a three game losing streak. Milan participated in the Holiday Hoops competition over the Christmas break, suffering loses to Meadville and Cameron. The Ladycats opened the New Year traveling to Princeton on Tuesday, January 3, 2024 but lost 56 to 36.
Milan won the opening tip but Putnam scored first. Putnam led most of the initial quarter. The Ladycats led once at 5 to 4, but trailed after one quarter 13 to 11. Five Ladycats scored with Marian leading with 5 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals.
Avery Pickering had an assist to Emerson Pauley to open the second stanza and she put Milan in front 14 to 13 on a 3 pointer. The Midgets quickly regained the advantage for the rest of the quarter, and a 23-21 halftime lead. Marian had 5 of the 10 Ladycat tallies.
The third quarter saw Putnam County continue to maintain their advantage with a lead as large as eight. However Emerson spotted Marian on the wing, and she promptly splashed home a 3-pointer at the buzzer cutting the deficit to 5, 36-31 Midgets.
The third quarter buzzer beater sparked the Ladycats going into the final frame. Milan scrambled and grabbed a 37-36 advantage with 5:11 on the clock. The Midgets would knot the score, but Milan kept their advantage, keeping the Midgets at bay. A clutch key and 2 free throws by Marian Dabney in the final 50 seconds sealed the deal and a hard fought come from behind victory.
The Midgets were led in scoring by Karley Seaton with 14 points, followed by double-double from Emma Whitlock 13 points, 10 rebounds.
Milan was led by Marian with a double-double of her own, 26 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 1 blocked shot.
Emerson added 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals.
Amy Pickering had 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals.
Violet Gray had 3 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist.
Avery Pickering had 3 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assist, 2 steals, 1 block.
Mya Pauley had 2 points, 1 rebound.
