The Muir Colts ahead of their game against Huron Valley rivals Oak Valley on Monday November 15th. (Special to The Spinal Column Newsweekly / CHRIS WALL)
The Oak Valley boys’ basketball team held an angry Muir rally to drive past the Colts 38-25 in a rivalry game played at the Milford High School field house on November 15.
The Hornets took the lead at halftime in the locker room with a seemingly confident 16: 5 lead. Early in the second half, Muirs Dylan Doggett exploded for 13 points to score a 15-7 run to reduce the Colts’ lead to 23-20 by the end of the fourth quarter. (Middle school games are five quarters.)
Dorian Wright’s three-ball from the top of the key gave Oak Valley a 28-22 lead which meant a 12-3 run to give the Hornets a 38-25 win. Wright finished with an 11 point game high for Oak Valley to help the Hornets claim their third win of the season.
“I’ve made fewer three-point shots and passed more and got more rebounds,” Wright said. “But we still have to work on our rebounds for the next game. I just want to shoot better. Passing and rebounds were our biggest improvements. “
Oak Valley head coach Steve Allen was proud of the Hornets’ achievement. “Bright lights and a big stage are what it’s about. In all honesty, they love playing basketball and working hard out here. It was a tough job. “
After holding the Colts rally, Allen was pleased with his team’s reaction. “Just a couple of my boys. Some of my strikers really improved tonight. We had to get our second guard off the bench and play a little more because our starting guard fouled. So that kind of cornered us, but the attitude at the end and the good passing game made the difference. “
Muirs Dylan Doggett hits a three-ball in traffic as he leads the Colts with 16 points. (Special to The Spinal Column Newsweekly / CHRIS WALL)
After a sluggish start in the first half, the Colts burned in the fourth quarter thanks to a pressure defense and Doggett’s game, who finished with 16 points, including three three-balls. From the free throw line, he went seven for eight.
“It’s always fun to play against your rival here at Milford,” said Muir head coach Brian Howe. “The Milford basketball program is excellent at making this happen. It’s fun for the kids. “
“We played a lot better in the second half. Dylan does a great job for us and does most of the ball handling. He’s a great shot when he’s on. He wasn’t there in the first half, but he did a great job in the second half. He’s a competitor and he’s playing hard. “
Next up for the Colts (0-3) is a home game on Friday against Sarah Banks Middle School. After playing Millennium Middle School on Wednesday, the Hornets (3-1) are hosting Pierce Middle School on Friday.
Oak Valley’s Dorian Wright leads the Hornets to a 38:25 win over Muir. (Special to The Spinal Column Newsweekly / CHRIS WALL)
