MHT Final Game Report: Millard South vs. Omaha Central

Final Score: Millard South 79 – Omaha Central 76 It really is a shame that in the year we were unable to attend high school basketball games, two of the most exciting finals in Metro Holiday Tournament history occur. The girls final was a matchup of undefeated clubs. Millard South entered the final as the defending tournament champion, and with a prowess for scoring the basketball. Omaha Central has unlocked a new level this season with the development of [player_tooltip player_id="94546" first="Aaniya" last="Webb"] and the addition of standout freshman <strong>Inia Jones</strong>. Somewhat unexpectedly, Central jumped on on the Patriots immediately following the jump ball at center court, and kept their foot on the gas for the entire first half. At halftime, the Eagles had built a 14-point lead, and had stretched it to 16 and 18 points at times throughout the first half. Part of their advantage was due to their superior size. [player_tooltip player_id="94546" first="Aaniya" last="Webb"] stretches the floor at 6’0" as good as anyone in Nebraska. She hit three deep 3-pointers to push the lead to double digits, and when her gravity overextended the defense, she delicately placed the basketball inside for buckets to [player_tooltip player_id="94400" first="Nyanuar" last="Pal"] (6’3") and <strong>Nyawargak Gatkek</strong> (6’0"). They also dominated the offensive glass, Pal especially. In the game, she had four offensive rebounds that resulted in a putback and points. Millard South was struggling to contend with both the size and the speed of Central, and they fell behind due to some unlucky shooting. <strong>Mya Babbitt</strong> is one of the better shooters in Nebraska, yet failed to hit a three in the first half, several of them open, clean looks. Sophomores <strong>Lexi Finkenbiner</strong> and <strong>Cora Olsen </strong>had some success getting into the lane and finding shooters, but they just were not falling. Nearing the end of the half, Babbitt decided to put the ball on the floor and aggressively attack the basket. Millard South tried countering the size by moving the ball horizontally to get the Central bigs in motion. In the second half the effectiveness of the adjustment continued, Central’s shooting cooled, and the Patriots ramped up the defensive energy. I would say on an individual basis, Central has the better defenders, but Millard South proved masters in communication, rotations, and eliminating passing lanes. Despite the size disadvantage, their ball pressure bothered the Eagles and led to 10 second half turnovers. With the Central bigs being forced to move their feet and recover foul trouble ensued. Millard South made a home at the free throw line, and took advantage of their time there. The same shots that failed to drop in the first half were now pouring in. Sophomore <strong>Khloe Lemon</strong> provided bulk scoring in the third, and [player_tooltip player_id="94543" first="Megan" last="Belt"] hit all three of her 3-point attempts in the fourth to inch their team closer. <strong>Inia Jones</strong> of Central could not be stopped from getting to her spots and creating offense, but the double-teams came, and secondary ball-handlers failed to make enough plays late. Millard South took their first lead of the game on a <strong>Mya Babbitt</strong> "and-one" to go ahead by two, and 50 seconds later the final buzzer sounded. It was a fascinating contrast of styles, and the approach of the Patriots proved to be three points better on that particular day. These two teams play again February 6 at Millard South.