By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Friday night was an opportunity for both Millington Basketball teams to take a step closer to winning regular-season District 15-3A championships.
The tipoff on the court of the William Osteen Gymnasium vs. the Craigmont Chiefs was also a chance for the Lady Trojans to bounce back after suffering their first league loss on Jan. 28 at the Munford Lady Cougars. Munford pulled off the upset of Millington 49-38.
The Lady Chiefs were unfortunately up next for the angry Lady Trojans. Millington dominated Craigmont for 58-22 bounce back victory and secured the championship.
On the boys’ side, the Trojans stayed atop the league with a 69-53 at Munford. Millington stayed locked in and beat the Chiefs 60-29. The win over Craigmont put the Trojans one win away from clinching the first regular-season district title since 1971. All Millington has to do is beat the Brighton Cardinals at home Tuesday night to secure the No. 1 seed heading into the district tournament.
The Lady Trojans jumped out 16-1 in the first quarter against Craigmont. Head Coach Jason Nihcols demanded man-to-man pressure defense with floating traps. The Lady Chiefs were smothered and turned over the ball multiple times leading to senior guard Kaitlyn Holmes making a few breakaway layups. Millington led 42-4 at the break dominating the boards on rebounds and making timely three-pointers.
In boys action Andre Tyler was hot from the perimeter in the first half helping Millington jump out 33-16 by halftime. In the third quarter Aiden Maclin took his turn making triples to spark Millington to a 51-20 lead by the start of the fourth quarter.
