Sure, a stress free win over Benedictine would have been nice. But for Miller coach Danny Manuel, watching his young VISAA Division 2 team battle it out with a Division 1 team that’s been in the top end of the playoff mix for ages was a worthy lesson. And getting the job done in a close battle, there’s something to be said about it when you’re trying to build with new players, young players.
“It’s always good to win, but it’s good to win close games,” Manuel said. “This was really one of our first close games. Lately it’s been us killing somebody or us getting killed. Both teams had young players and a lot of talent so it was good to see the sophomore and juniors playing well.”
In a back-and-forth battle with Miller edging Benedictine, 64-61, thanks to late free throw shooting and a go-ahead 3-pointer from Aundre Hyatt, the Mavericks picked up some confidence and watched a sophomore have a moment as they near the postseason.
“Coach actually ran the play for me,” Hyatt said. “It was a high ball-screen and the (defender) had his hand out but I just let it go.”
Miller trailed in the last minute of the game at 60-58, but with the clock winding down, Hyatt hit the last of his five three pointers to give the Mavericks a one point lead. Then with just over seven seconds left, Miller guard DeShaun Wade drew an offense foul on the other end to force a turnover. The Cadets tried to foul its way to an opportunity at the basket. The Mavericks fouled them so they couldn’t tie the game. Then Hyatt knocked down a free throw to make it 64-61 and with 0.7 seconds left, Benedictine’s best chance at overtime was thwarted at half court with a trap that led to no shot.
“(This win) means we’ve definitely got great upside,” Hyatt said. “This is our first year playing together and I met these guys a couple of months ago for the first time in August but it’s definitely a brotherhood and we’re going to be a pretty good team in the future.”
Miller started the game up 9-5 but found itself in a 15-11 hole not long after before taking a 18-15 lead early in the second. Benedictine 26-24 heading into the break, but took a 30-32 lead early in the third. And then the big runs came.
The Mavericks unleashed a 13-0 run behind Dae Dae Heard, Jayline Reed and Hyatt and Wade to go up 43-32. The Cadets answered with the same to reclaim the lead at 45-43 early in the fourth. It was a see-saw after that. Miller went up 58-56 with 1:53 to play, but suddenly trailed 60-58 with 0:52 to play. Hyatt then hit his big three and Wade then made his big play on defense to allow the Mavericks to wrap up the game.
On the night, Hyatt finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Heard chipped in 16 points and two steals. Wade added 10 points. The Mavericks were 10-13 in the second half from the free throw line.
“We were 4-for-9 at the half from the free throw line at the half and missed some easy layups so I let them know, ‘hey, we could be up by more,’” Manuel said.
Miller (14-5) faces VES at home on February 14. The Mavericks won the first meeting back with the defending state champs in January, 71-48, but since then the Bishops are 7-0, setting the table for a huge VIC meeting.
