By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier
For the first time in five
seasons, the Milford girls
basketball team did not
play in the Tri-Valley
Championship Game last
year.
While the pieces seem to
be there for a return trip
this season, which begins
Monday, the Lady Wildcats
will have to earn it in a very
tough Tri-Valley East division.
Cherry Valley-Springfield
not only won the East
last year, but also went on
to win a Tri-Valley title and
advance all the way to the
Section Four Class D championship
game. They return
most of that team, and
Schenevus also appears to
have a strong team this
year.
``You can’t really base
much on what we did in the
past except for the fact
we’re usually pretty competitive
and want to get
back to the championship
game,’’ said Milford head
coach Jim Weir. ``If everything
comes together, we’ll
have a shot.’’
Milford returns three
starters, including junior
Chandler Prouty, already
beginning her fifth varsity
season. Prouty averaged
double figures in both
points (12.1) and rebounds
(11.6) last year and is on
pace to become the next
1,000-point scorer at Milford.
``She’s stronger and more
confident this year and has
looked very good in practice,’’
Weir said. ``She should
have a good season for us.’’
Joining Prouty underneath
is Mariah Coville,
who averaged eight points
and six rebounds last year
while also leading the team
in blocked shots.
``I think Mariah will play
more under control this
year,’’ Weir said. ``She tried
to block everything in the
gym last year and sometimes
that led to foul trouble.
I think she has a better
understanding of the game
now.’’
Senior point guard Emily
Brigham is the third returning
starter and averaged
six points and led the
team in assists and was
named Co-MVP of the team
along with Prouty after last
year’s 13-8 season.
Brigham and freshman
newcomers Avalon Ward
and Krista Krol are all outside
shooting threats, Weir
added.
``They all should be able
to get some good looks because
we have two good inside
players teams will
have to worry about,’’ he
said.
Milford opens the season
Monday as hosts of the Anton
Remy Tournament.
They play Family School in
one first round game at 7
p.m. with Stamford and
Sharon Springs meeting in
the other first round game
at 5:30 p.m. The consolation
and championship
games will be Tuesday.
Milford will also play in
the Cooperstown Tournament
Dec. 5 and 6, and the
Stamford Tournament Dec.
29 and 30.
