Girls basketball: Miller City survives tight game against Toledo Christian

MILLER CITY – J. Harrold Leopold Gymnasium was the site of a rare girls/boys varsity basketball doubleheader Thursday night.

Miller City’s girls basketball team (7-3) put on a good opening act, as it beat Toledo Christian, 46-44.

In the first quarter, both teams had trouble establishing a rhythm, but the hosts led the Eagles 13-6 on a Jordan Schnipke 3-pointer.

Schnipke tallied 10 of her 13 points in the first half; Andrea Pfau led all Wildcat scorers with 15 markers.

Toledo Christian was led by Kendal Braden’s game-high 20 points.

The teams exchanged scoring runs, with the Eagles reeling off a 11-0 spurt at the end of the half to take a 23-22 advantage into the break. A run late in the contest for the Wildcats was enough to lift them to the 46-44 victory.

“We got off to a good start defensively,” Miller City coach Ross Huerman said. “We were getting the offense we needed then had some turnovers that we shouldn’t have had. Then they got that run right before the half. (Kendal) Braden hit that shot; they had the momentum going into the half.”

Neither team had more than a four-point advantage in the third stanza as the contest remained tight. At the 6-second mark, the Eagles’ Ava Nietzke tied the game at 32-all.

However, Miller City began the fourth with a 9-0 span to take a 41-32 bulge. Back came the Eagles, as they got within 44-43 on a triple by Kendall. However, Toledo Christian could not get tied or the lead as both teams struggled at the line. A single by Lou Michael put the hosts up 46-44 and with time running down, the Eagles could not connect as the horn sounded.

“We stayed the course and kept to the game plan, got some stops and stayed aggressive. We knew that we were going to see one of the best players that we are going to see all year in Braden,” Huerman said. “All of our game plan focused on our defense, and it won us the game.”

Dave Boninsegna wrote this for LimaScores.com.