Advertisement

That all changed as they took a 56-48 decision over the Fowlerville Gladiators here on Monday night. With the win, Millington moves on to face Flint Powers in the Regional Finals on Wednesday night.

The game started out slowly as both teams came out with a defensive mindset. Scoring was nonexistent as the Gladiators held a 1-0 lead for nearly four minutes in the quarter.Ê

Despite Fowlerville's distinct size advantage, it was their three-point shooting that concerned Milington coach Walt Kujat the most.

"They do have No. 30 ( 6-5 Joe Lane) he is an active inside post," Kujat said. "But we can front that inside game and we weren't too concerned about that. What we were concerned about was the three-point shot. I've seen film and they have four or five guys that can all stroke the three.

"We are very proud that we could hold them down on the three's."

But closing out the first, it was Millington's perimeter game that came alive. That is when Millington's Dustin Griesing took over, scoring 11 of his game-high 20 points, sparked a 16-2 run and gave the Cardinals a 16-3 lead going into the second.

"We try to set up as many isolation plays with Griesing as we can," Kujat said. "He is such a good guard, good at penetrating and such a smart player. Anytime we can get a big to a little switch with him, we feel good about it."

The second saw a more evenly matched game, as both teams started to play. Fowlerville got on the board first, as Ryan Ross hit a long three-pointer on his way to 17 points for the night. From there it was a see-saw battle, with the teams trading baskets the rest of the way through.

ÊA bright spot for Millington was 6-4 big man James Weber, who despite his weight disadvantage played an excellent defensive game for the Cardinals against the trio of Gladiator big men. Weber also chipped in six points on the offensive end. When asked what his mindset was to bring on the tough defense, Weber talked of survival.

"We just want to live to play another day," Weber said. "Coach was telling us all week how our goal is to live on, and play one more game. We had a great group effort from all the guys, everybody hustling their butts off on defense and just going out and playing real hard."

The hustle was apparent as Millington went into the half up 29-20.

The second half saw the Gladiators come out with a vengeance. Fowlerville came out with a physical half-court defense that swarmed all over Griesing and got the Cardinals offense out of sync. Millington was held to a lowly four points due to this defense, while the Gladiators were able to tack on 16 and reclaim the lead, going into the final period up 36-33.

"It felt like in the second half God didn't want me to make a basket," Griesing said. "But guys stepped up big, and helped get us into the type of game that we can win on free throws.

"That has been our strength the last few games."

Fouls ended up being the difference in this game too. Millington made a nice adjustment in the break between quarters that saw them move Griesing from the point to more of a wing player, allowing him to get free and create for his teammates. Time and again he was able draw two or three players to him to prevent his drive and when he did, he would find a wide open teammate for a easy layup.

If the Cardinals missed the layup, it was usually because they were fouled. Both of Fowlerville's post players fouled out in the final minutes, and Millington did play to its strengths as they went 13-of-17 for the quarter and 24-of-30 for the game.

Coach Kujat was proud of his team's work from the stripe, noting that they were not a good free-throw shooting team during the regular season.

"They kept stretching and stretching their defense, so we turned the guys loose to attack," Kujat said. "The baseline was open and the kids made some good decisions. And we knew if we could get that lead, we have guys with great character and great leadership that are pretty good from the free-throw line in the closing minutes.

"In that fourth quarter, we have guys that nail free throws."

The Cardinals will play on facing a tough test in the Flint Powers Chargers tonight at 7 p.m.

Powers was a 75-57 winner over the Pontiac Notre Dame Prepartory School in the second game Monday. The winner of that game will go on to the Quarterfinals at North Branch High School next week.

But for now, the Cardinals will savor a taste of victory never seen before in their little town, and prepare to keep their 'Cinderella season' going.

"We are excited," Coach Kujat said. "First-ever regional victory, and I'm so happy for these guys. They have put in time and effort, and they are guys of great character and great leadership.

"They are good students in the classroom and they deserve everything they are getting."