WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio —
Mason senior guard Landen Long couldn’t conceal his euphoria after Friday night’s Division I sectional boys’ basketball very last. The Comets defeated Milford 60-50 at Lakota West, and Mason will return to the district final for the third time in four seasons following weekend in Dayton. “It’s unique,” said Long, who scored all of his crew-excessive 14 points within the 2d 1/2. “I’ve been gambling, seeing that I become younger through this system. These coaches suggest everything to me, and this crew way the whole lot to me, and to get back, there may be something I can’t even describe.”
Long changed into varsity and junior varsity participant in 2017 when the Comets received the district identify and played within the nearby tournament. Mason seniors like him recognize the importance of gambling this deep into the match in March. Long made three three-tips in the 1/3 quarter Friday night to assist the Comets against Milford. Mason turned into also led via junior ahead Mitchell Greer with 12 points and four rebounds. Junior forward Jack Cooper had nine points, five rebounds, and three blocks. “These guys got a variety of coronary heart and quite a few preferences,” Mason educate Greg Richards said. “They are a laugh to educate.
Mason led 23-18 at halftime, and Richards’ directive became to live steady within the 2d half of. Mason led the sport’s maximum except for a 33-2nd stretch in the fourth zone while it trailed through one point. “We notion coming in they were loads like us, so it becomes going to be a conflict to the give up,” Richards said. “Fortunately, we were given the proper cease of it these days.” Milford (thirteen-11) became led by senior defend Steven Huxell with thirteen points along high protect Jake Ayers with 12 points and five assists. The Eagles started the season with a 7-10 report but won nine in their last 13 games, along with two in the match.
“After the Turpin recreation, we had a little explosion within the locker room, all rightfully so,” Milford instruct Joe Cambron said. “But, from that moment on, I will keep in mind how they responded to the adversity of our season not going the way we conceive it changed into going to be,” Cambron stated the seniors led via example to aid the Eagles. “Just the intellectual durability that they showed and notion in each other that allowed us to turn around second 1/2 of the 12 months round,” Cambron said.