On Saturday afternoon from Fitzsimmons-John Arena at Moberly Area Community College, things started bleak for the Grand River Conference champion Milan Wildcats. With the Eugene Eagles hitting shots from all angles of the floor, led by the three-point ability of Dyson Samson, Milan found itself down by 22 points mid-way through the second quarter. The dream of the ‘Cats to make the Show-Me Showdown in Springfield appeared to be slipping away fast.
However, the potent 1-3-1 half-court trap of the Wildcats began to become effective by late in the half, and MHS cut the halftime advantage to just 12 points. A solid third quarter for the ‘Cats cut the Eagles lead down to 6 by the fourth quarter. With just under two minutes to play, Milan finally grabbed the lead away from Eugene, and would not give it back, with a 71-65 victory sending both players and rooters into hysterics in a stunning reversal of fortune.
In a game broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7, Milan (25-3) leaned on sturdy senior center Ryan Dabney, who led the way for the victors with a game-high 30 points. Hunter Shaw added 17, and Eddie Gonzalez 11 for Milan. Eugene, ending the season with a mark of 20-7, had 23 points from Samson, with Tre Kempker adding 12, and Tyler Renn 11 points.
The victory sends Milan into the Class 2 state semifinals on Friday night at 8:10 from the Hammons Student Center in Springfield, to play the 29-2 Hartville Eagles. That game will be broadcast on KTTN FM 92.3. A third place or championship game appearance will follow for the Wildcats on Saturday.
Milan reached the quarterfinal round with a solid sectional victory on Wednesday night against Van-Far, winning at Hannibal High School 61-44. In the “Round of 16” win, Shaw had 26 points, including a momentum-surging dunk late in the second quarter, while Dabney fought through early foul trouble to add 16.
That victory had great significance for the Wildcats, who had their season end in back-to-back years by Van-Far. Wednesday night’s defeat ended Van-Far’s 2019-2020 season at 22-7.
