Long-range shooting propels Milford over Gothenburg 63-51
Milford used hot shooting from distance to hold off Gothenburg 63-51 and advance to the Class C-1 state championship game.
LINCOLN — The Milford girls basketball team used hot shooting from distance to hold off Gothenburg 63-51 and advance to the Class C-1 state championship game.
The victory marks a return to the title contest for the #1 Eagles, who finished as state runners up last season. This is the second-straight season the #5 Swedes have fallen in the semifinals.
Milford won on the strength of 7-16 shooting from three-point range, good for 44%. The most impressive make came at the end of the first quarter. Sophomore Abby Crabtree caught an inbounds pass with 2.7 seconds left, took one dribble and launched a 3/4-court shot that fell perfectly into the hoop. The long-range hit cut the Eagles’ deficit to 18-11 after the first eight minutes.
The game was tied 30-30 at halftime before Milford pulled away in the third quarter. Gothenburg cut it to a three-point game with 5:39 left in the final period but the Eagles responded with a 12-3 run to close out the win.
51 points marks the third-lowest scoring total in a game this season for Gothenburg.