The high-scoring Milan Wildcats and Harrisburg Bulldogs put on a 32 minute show of intensity and pin-point shooting on Wednesday night in Mexico, Missouri, with Milan controlling the first half, but leading by only four points at the half courtesy of a buzzer-beating three-point shot by Scott Hill. The momentum for the Bulldogs continued into a third quarter going decisively to Harrisburg, with a 23-13 advantage leaving the ‘Cats down 62-56 heading into the final quarter.
With their season in the balance, Milan played perhaps their finest eight minute stretch all season long, with Ryan Dabney’s rebounding and interior presence, a strong passing game that ignited transition baskets, and nine points in a finishing flourish by Marcus Diaz leading Milan to an 89-79 win, sending the now 27-2 ‘Cats to the Class 2 quarterfinals, and a Saturday afternoon (2:45 PM) meeting with Van-Far, live from Moberly Area Community College on KTTN FM 92.3.
In action from Mexico High School heard on KTTN, Milan and Harrisburg showed off their strong offensive games in the first quarter, with the teams trading baskets in an eight minute stretch that finished with the Wildcats up 21-20. While the Milan offense showed more balance through the game, Harrisburg was fueled by the outstanding efforts of point guard Cody Karl and center Cade Combs, who combined for 56 points (Karl had 31) in the loss.
In Harrisburg’s third quarter surge, Karl had 10 points, but was held to two in the final quarter, as the Bulldogs perimeter accuracy took a decided dip.
Hunter Shaw played the finest game of his sophomore season, leading the Wildcats to the win with 31 points, including 12 of 13 free throw shooting in the second half. Marcus Diaz added 20 points and Ryan Dabney 18 for the ‘Cats. Eddie Gonzalez had a strong and steady night for Milan with nine points, while Dominic Dabney contributed eight points. Diaz, in particular, was given postseason praise by Head Coach Andrea Dabney:
With Milan surging just past the midway point of the fourth quarter, Diaz hit a giant three-pointer that gave the Wildcats a brief double digit lead. Tom Johnson and Dennis Stephenson had the call on KTTN:
Just moments before Diaz’ three, missed perimeter shots were followed by Dabney rebounds, and breakaway lay-up, giving Milan a six-point edge:
While the fourth quarter decided the game, Milan’s poise in grabbing a first-half lead impressed Coach Dabney:
Other Class 2 boys sectional results from Wednesday, February 28, 2018 were:
Mid-Buchanan 64, Wellington-Napoleon 47 (Dragons play Sacred Heart on Saturday at 2:45 PM)
Sacred Heart 68, Liberal 55
Van-Far 61, Elsberry 39 (Van-Far, now 26-3, plays Milan at 2:45 PM Saturday on KTTN FM 92.3)
Purdy 69, Blue Eye 63
Crocker 77, Spokane 69
Hartville 37, Thayer 25
Hayti 72, Oran 57
