The Milan Wildcats have eliminated the Putnam County Midgets from contention for the championship in the Grand River Conference’s Eastern Division, courtesy of a 76-72 victory in Unionville on Tuesday night, in action broadcast on KTTN FM 92.3.
Milan’s Dabney brothers, sophomore Ryan and freshman Dominic, combined for 50 points, as Milan effectively rebounded from Friday night’s disappointing loss at Trenton to improve to 18-1 on the season, and 5-1 in the GRC East. Ryan Dabney was particularly strong in the fourth quarter, dominating the paint to score 12 points, that effort following an 11 point third quarter. The Midgets setback drops Putnam County to 3-2 in GRC East play, but with the head-to-head loss to Milan, no chance of making up the deficit with one game remaining in GRC East play (Tuesday, January 30th at Trenton). Putnam County’s overall record drops to 12-7.
The game behind the Wildcats and Midgets was the third this month, but after Milan victories in the Milan Tournament and Marceline Tournament, this one had the most to gain, with a potential divisional championship at stake. Dominic Dabney, finishing with 21 points for Milan, had 12 of those tallies in the second quarter, finishing the night with 9 points in the fourth quarter, including 5 of 6 made free throws in “crunch time”.
Putnam County was paced by Carson Quint, who scored 29 points (25 of those in the second half). Kaden Seaton had 11 points (all in the first half), with Levi Fowler contributing 10.
Milan will host the Gallatin Bulldogs on Tuesday, January 30th at 7:30, with a win by Milan clinching the GRC East title. Trenton is the only other GRC East team with a chance to steal the crown from the Wildcats. The Bulldogs hope ride on winning home games against Polo (January 29th) and Putnam County (January 30th), while hoping for a Gallatin win at Milan on January 30th. Also on January 30th, Class 1 #9 ranked St. Joseph Christian hosts Class 1 #2 ranked North Andrew, very likely for the GRC West crown. The West winner hosts the East winner in the GRC boys championship game, at 7:30 on Friday, February 2nd.
The Milan Lady Wildcats won the opener of Tuesday night’s doubleheader at Putnam County, winning by a score of 60-33. After giving up the first four points of the game, Milan scored 23 unanswered points to finish the first quarter, and was never threatened thereafter. Evelyn Castro led Milan (12-7, 4-2) with 19 points, including five made three-point shots. Katlynn Sylvester provided strong interior play for the Lady ‘Cats, scoring 11, while Genesis Sarabia added 10.
Putnam County, now 5-13 on the season and 2-4 in the GRC East, had 12 points from Sydney Tomlin, while Jaylee Knowles had 10 points. The Lady Midgets upcoming schedule is particularly challenging, traveling to Green City to play the unbeaten Lady Gophers on Friday night, before finishing the GRC East slate at Trenton against the state-ranked, once-beaten Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday night.
