By Derek Toney
Jimmy Hamilton knew he had to get off to a quick start for Milford Mill High’s boys’ basketball team in Thursday’s Class 3A state semifinal. He did just that, and the Millers are on the verge of a championship.
The Millers routed Stephen Decatur, 69-41, at the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center. Milford Mill will play Thomas Stone for the state championship Saturday at 3 p.m. at Comcast.
Hamilton, a senior forward led all scorers with 16 points to go with a game-high 12 rebounds for Milford Mill (24-3 overall). Cedrick Johnson led Stephen Decatur (21-5) with 14 points and five rebounds.
The Millers led wire-to-wire to earn its first title game berth since 1994 when they claimed the Class 1A crown. Hamilton scored eight in the opening quarter as Milford Mill gained a 12-4 lead.
“I just tried to do my job, rebounding and finding the open man,” said Hamilton, who transferred to the Baltimore County from St. Frances Academy at the beginning of last season, “and take advantage of scoring opportunities.”
Stephen Decatur made a run in the second quarter, pulling to within 16-12, but Isiah McCray single-handedly quashed the hopes of the Eastern Shore school. The junior guard, who missed most of the second half of Saturday’s North Region title game against Parkville after hurting his back in a collision, scored seven points off the bench.
The Millers led 28-15 at intermission and were on cruise control. Milford Mill coach Albert Holley saw his squad limited Johnson, who was averaging 20 points a game, limited to just 12.
“We played well in spurts,” said Holley. “We kind of understood what they wanted to do, our job was to take it away from them. We did a better job of that in the second half.”
Next for Milford Mill is Thomas Stone, which routed Blake from Montgomery County, 76-53, in the other semifinal. After nearly upending Lake Clifton in last year’s region championship, the Millers are 32 minutes away from completely erasing that memory.
“They’re a powerhouse,” said McCray of Thomas Stone, “but we’re ready to take on the challenge.”
State Class 3A semifinal
At Comcast Center
Milford Mill 69, Stephen Decatur 41
Milford Mill: Hamilton 8-15 0-2 16, Hanner 3-7 2-7 8, Goode 4-8 1-1 9, Branch 4-5 1-2 9, Johnson 1-2 1-2 3, Jackson 1-2 0-0 2, Cormier 1-3 0-0 2, McCray 4-10 1-2 9, Fulp 1-2 0-1 2, Jones 1-1 1-2 3, Reid 1-1 0-0 2, Miller 2-2 0-0 4, Richardson 0-1 0-0. Totals 31-59 4-16 69.
Stephen Decatur: Johnson 4-12 4-7 14, Engle 1-9 1-2 4, Andrews 2-7 0-1 4, Foreman 2-8 0-1 3, Lubeski 1-2 1-1 3, Wilson 0-0 2-3 2, Swistak 1-1 0-0 2, Purnell 2-5 0-0 5, Powell 2-6 0-0 4, Henry 0-1 0-0. Totals 14-49 9-16 41.
Milford Mill 12 16 21 20-69
Stephen Decatur 4 11 14 12-41
MILFORD MILL INTERVIEW
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