The Milan Big Reds powered through a resilient Tecumseh Indians team Wednesday night to earn the right to play Friday in the District Finals. Milan won 49-36 in a game where physicality and aggressiveness ruled the night.
“Our goal, at the beginning of the week, was to practice Thursday. We met our first goal,” said assistant coach Chris Pope.
The Big Reds started the game on an 8-0 run and never relinquished the lead. They played tough on defense, allowing only 12 points in the first half, and aggressive on offense. The aggressiveness, along with a few mental mistakes, led to some Milan turnovers, but their defense caused Tecumseh problems and forced turnovers of their own.
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Despite a sputtering offense that scored only seven points in the second quarter, Milan went in at the half up 25 -12. The Big Reds defense allowed only four points in the quarter.
The third period was back and forth on the offensive ends. Both teams scored 10 points in period, but Tecumseh racked up more fouls and put themselves behind the eight ball for the fourth, putting Milan in the bonus midway through the game’s final period.
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The fourth quarter featured little in the way of set offenses for Milan, who found themselves at the charity stripe early and often. CJ Turnage, who finished 5-for-10 from the free throw line, had issues early and was targeted by Tecumseh to go to the line to stop the clock.
“[Turnage] just has to focus more, that’s all. He’s a good free throw shooter, it’s just a matter of stepping up there and doing what he’s supposed to do,” said Pope.
Milan was led by Andre Duffin’s 16 points while Turnage added 11.
Milan plays Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in the District Finals Friday night in Onsted. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.