Oh my goodness! This was their day.
When the buzzer went off to start the MIAA state basketball championship between the Milton Wildcats and the Hoosac Valley Hurricanes, it was as if someone had given the Wildcats a car with a gas pedal and no brake.
And they put the pedal to the metal and didn’t let up. The result was a dominating 81 – 44 win over Hoosac Valley, a team that couldn’t seem to get out of neutral. Milton led by 12 at the end of the first period, by 14 at the end of the second, by 33 at the end of the 3rd. They just kept going and didn’t look back. As many coaches like to say, “We are going to go with what got us here,” and so it was. Milton shined at every facet of their game: solid defense, solid teamwork, selfless play, a deep bench, and superb 3 pt shots. They neutralized the Hurricane’s chief threat, Robbie Burke. While Nick Aiken, a 5′ 8″ guard, proved a dangerous 3 pt shooter, there simply wasn’t enough fire power on their end. They could not catch a break, and the ball would not fall for them. On the Wildcat side, Marcus McDermott scored a game high 20 points followed by Emanuel Hutcherson with 11; but as with most Wildcat ball, points came from everywhere.
And then there were the fans. The Copeland Crazies staked out their usual position behind one of the baskets on two tiers and resplendent in red. After the game ended, they saluted Coach LoPresti with one of their ear splitting cheers, which he acknowledged with a grateful fist pump and wave. There was evidently quite a bit of happy fanfare (no pun intended) when the team buses returned to Milton.
Congratulations to both of these teams! They fought hard and long to get here. And thank you Coach LoPresti, Coach Donovan, and all you Wildcats for a terrific playoff run and FANTASTIC conclusion! The school system, the town, we are all so proud of you!
(P.S. Read Hoosac Valley’s comments of game here.)
Go Wildcats!! MIAA CHAMPIONS!!
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Related coverage
A breeze for McDermott, Milton (Boston Globe)
Marcus McDermott provides lift (Boston Herald)
Milton boys roar to Div. 2 state basketball crown (Wicked Local)