Miller’s girls basketball team hasn’t lost very often over the last few years.
Apparently when they do, like in a narrow defeat at the hands of Spotswood last year in the Holiday Classic, they remember it.
“After losing the way we did to them last year, we had about five or six girls who were involved in that and they probably shed a few tears over that one because we definitely let that one slip away,” said Miller coach James Braxton. “They definitely came to play.”
Miller avenged 2012’s loss with a 47-34 victory over the Trailblazers, wrapping up the Holiday Classic title in the process.
The Mavericks managed to handle Spotswood’s frenetic press with Rachel Odumu steadying the ship at the point while working in concert with speedy Lexi Mallory to neutralize the Trailblazers.
“Just from knowing Spotswood, they feed off of turnovers and if you turn it over a couple of times, they can run off 10 on you in a hurry,” Braxton said. “We talked about taking care of the ball with passes and Rachel Odumu has really come along as a point guard. She’s very strong and very tough mentally which you have to be at that position.”
Mallory and Odumu were strong at the free throw line in the fourth quarter as Spotswood tried to claw its way back into the game. The backcourt tandem combined to go 8 for 10 at the charity stripe during the final frame.
Adrienne Darden finished with 12 points to lead Miller while Lilly Riggleman checked in with 10 on the night. Sydney Calloway had seven points, including a couple of mid-range jumpers that helped keep Spotswood from collapsing on the Mavericks inside.
The Mavericks were up just four points going into the fourth after Odumu hit a buzzer beater at the end of the third. But Miller pulled away in the fourth with steady free throw shooting.
Spotswood may have lost, but the Trailblazers got exactly what they were looking for out of what’s become an annual trip over the mountain for the squad from Penn Laird.
“The reason we want to come over here so bad is because it gives you a chance to play in a completely different referee association — it’s a matter of adjusting to officials,” said Spotswood coach Chris Dodson. “And this year more so than any competition wise, Monticello is a state playoff team, St. Anne’s-Belfield is as good as any team I’ve seen this year and Miller School played their butts off tonight. I thought it wanted it much more than we did. Hats off to those girls. We played against three great coaches and they gave us so many different looks and we can take this home and fix things.”
Taylor Dodson led the Blazers with 17 points, including a nine for 11 night at the free throw line, but Miller held her scoreless in the final frame and Spotswood’s offense floundered from there with just four points in the fourth as a team.
Miller (4-3) will take on an Australian club squad Saturday in their next contest while Spotswood (8-1) takes on Turner Ashby Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at home.
