Milton holds off Archbishop Hannan, 50-44

WESTWEGO – Never underestimate a team because of their record.

Milton (Ga.) had a below .500 mark on the season but that is a large reflection on the quality of their previous competition. The Eagles are now soaring at the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic.

Milton snapped Archbishop Hannan’s eight-game win streak with a 50-44 victory in the quarterfinals on Friday night at the Alario Center.

Hannan (16-2) has had to battle key injuries with one of them to key performer Drew Timmons.

Both teams came out the gates slow in the first quarter with Milton leading 10-7. Although Hannan kept finding ways to stay in the game, they would never have the lead.

“I thought we executed well early, we got a little sloppy late and they played really hard,” Milton head basketball coach Allen Whiteheart. “Well coached and their coach does a great job of making adjustments and I thought it was going to be a I make an adjustment then he makes one game and that essentially what it was and you just want kids to do what you tell them. We play with a shot clock in Georgia so it is really an adjustment for us because 35 seconds and you’re going the other way, but I thought our kids settled in and played defense pretty well tonight.”

Milton (6-6) started the second quarter off hot. Dhvanish Vaghela hit back-to-back three pointers to spark a 6-0 run.

The Hawks battled back to draw within 24-22 at the half. This would be the closest the game would be the rest of the way.

The third quarter opened with another three pointer from Vaghela, and The lead continued to grow for Milton behind solid defense. The Eagles won another quarter 11-5 and took a 35-27 lead to the fourth.

Milton’s guards controlled the game with their ability to drive to the paint and finish through tough contact. Hannan refused to back down, but Josh Dixon made four clutch free throws to put the game out of reach with 2.9 seconds remaining in the game.

Dixon had a game-high 21 points to lead Milton. Vaghela had 12 points and went 4-4 from downtown. Anthony Gause scored 13.

Both teams will play Saturday at the event. Milton faces Trinity (Tex.) in the semifinals while Hannan (16-3) will play Crescent City in a consolation matchup.

Final:
Hannan 7 15 5 17 – 44
Milton 10 14 11 15 – 50

Scoring:
Milton- Josh Dixon 21,.Anthony Gause 13, Dhvanish Vaghela 12, Daniel Oguenyemi 4
Hannan- Anthony Thompson 22, Nickolas Penn 8, Bryce Daniels 7, Brenton Gordon 4, Zach Lauro 3

Rebounds: Milton 17, Hannan 16
Turnovers: Milton 6, Hannan 4