Wildcats Shut Down Young Rams
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
The Milan Wildcats butted heads with the Schuyler County Junior Rams, who were the seventh seed on Wednesday, December 4. The young Rams were a replacement squad for the North Shelby Team. The North Shelby Raiders were playing for the 8 Man State Football Title. Needless to say the young Rams are a very talented group. In a very back and forth battle in which each team led by double digits at one point. Neither squad gave up but several turnovers by both participants. Milan prevailed with a 59-50 victory and advanced to the consolation contest against Brookfield.
Milan won the opening tip but the young Rams jumped out to a quick 7-0 spurt before Ethan Bennett assisted on a two pointer from Aziel Alacantara, putting Milan on the board. Schuyler JV ran off 5 unanswered and a 12-2 margin. Memphis Cole hit a short jumper before time ran out in the first stanza 12-4.
The Wildcats outscored Schuyler JV 18 to 10 in the second quarter to tie the contest at 22-22. Milan drove to the bucket with success, spending a lot of time at the charity line. It was here the Wildcats closed the gap converting 10 of 12 free throws. A couple of treys opened up the lane and the Wildcats had some solid board work. Keaton Weter led Milan with 9 points, a deuce, a trey and 4 of 6 free throws plus 3 rebounds. Ethan added 5 points, a 3 pointer and 2 for 2 free throws, 1 steal, 3 rebounds. Memphis was 4 for 4 on free throws, 1 steal, and 2 assists. Daniel Castaneda had 1 assist. Reduced turnovers this quarter.
The second half was a tug o war, back and forth, with plenty of excitement. Milan kept the defensive pressure and Keaton Weter had some strong board work. Milan was in front 35-34 after 3 quarters. Keaton had 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. Ethan canned a three, 2 assists, 1 rebound. Daniel added a deuce, 1 assist. Mackey Sow and Memphis had 1 rebound apiece, Aziel had 1 steal.
Constant defensive pressure appeared to wear down the young Rams in the final stanza as the Wildcats began to slowly stretch their margin. Milan outscored Schuyler JV 24-16 to walk away with a 59-50 victory. When Schuyler was forced to foul in desperation, Milan connected on 8 of 9 free throws. A trey from Aziel and Ethan turned out the lights on the hometown JV Rams.
In the deciding quarter, Ethan had 12 points, 1 trey, 1 deuce, 1 steal, 2 rebounds and was 5 for 5 on free throws. Aziel had 6 points, 1 trey, 3 of 4 charity tosses, 1 steal. Keaton had 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, Memphis had 2 points, 1 rebound. Jonathan Puerto had 2 points, 1 steal and 3 assists.
Tyson Droste led Schuyler JV with 12 points, Dylan March and Cace March had 8 apiece, Cash Cunningham had 7 points, Wyatt Gray had 6 points, Noah Scott had 4 points and Gage Pauley had 7 points
