By Thomas Sellers Jr.
It was back to the imaginary drawing board for the Millington Trojans on the night of Dec. 15.
With new Head Coach James Sales trying to install his methods, instill the basics and develop a philosophy, the Middle College Bulldogs provided another test for the 2025-26 Trojans.
The Bulldogs made it clear early in the William Osteen Gymnasium Millington would have to earn a passing grade. Middle School jumped out 18-12 after the first quarter.
The Trojans chipped away before eventually taking the lead heading into the fourth quarter 35-33. Then Millington was able to survive the seesaw moments of the early part of the fourth quarter with a 57-51 triumph.
“It took guts and grit,” Sales said. “We’re at home, trying to play real hard. They played resilient tonight.”
The Bulldogs were controlling the tempo and action in the first quarter including forward Miles Helton exploding to the goal for a slam.
When Helton completed an alley-oop dunk early in the second quarter, Middle School held a 20-12 advantage.
Although the Bulldogs maintained the lead the rest of the first half, the Trojans were able to out score Middle College 11-6 to cut the deficit to 26-23.
Javohn Jackson got Millington rolling in the third quarter with a put-back bucket to make the score 26-25. Trojan seniors Andre Tyler and Tayshaun Dye hit timely shots to make the score 32-20 in favor of Millington late in the period.
The Trojans were holding onto a 35-33 lead entering the fourth quarter. Dye played like a senior leader early in the period with a layup and firing a laser to teammate Nic Massey on a fast break for a bucket.
Millington was ahead 39-38. Then Middle School jumped out to a 43-39 lead. Dye to the rescue again with a three-point play to make it a one-point game.
Dye to Massey again eventually gave Millington a 46-44 advantage. The Bulldogs took the lead one more time at 47-46 before a Dye basket gave the Trojans the lead for good.
With the score 51-49 in favor of the Trojans, the Bulldogs tried to trap Tyler to get a steal. An official’s whistle blew and a foul was called on a Middle College guard.
Reacting in shock by spinning in place, a technical foul was called. Millington guard Darryl McDonald proceeded to the free throw line to make all four shots to seize control of the game for Millington.
“I hope and pray that, that is the case in February,” Sales acknowledged. “About time February gets here it all has sunk in. I am throwing a lot at them, but it’s the small things. It’s just those small things like on the free throw line, you have to box out. You can’t just stand there and do nothing to get the ball. It’s the small details that’s hurting us right now.”
With more chances to work on the little things, Sales said wins help reinforce his lessons.
“We’re lacking in fundamentals,” he said. “That’s what I am preaching everyday. We’ve been going a lot in detail and stuff on the board. It’s repetition and details of what to do in this situation. How to turn. What you’re looking for?
“It’s just the small things they haven’t been taught,” Sales concluded. “You have to remember we’re still young. I only got two returning players from last year who played a lot. The rest of them have never really played. It’s like starting all over again.”
