Loading ...Walking into the Milford High School Field House every other Friday night this past winter season was an enjoyable experience for MHS basketball fans.
This year, for the first time in 14 years, the boys team took home the KLAA Division title by winning nine of 10 games over two months. This is a major accomplishment that took a lot of hard work from all 15 players on the Varsity squad.
Head Coach and Muir Middle School teacher, Chip Lutz has been coaching at MHS for 13 years. He spent four years with both the Freshmen and JV teams and five years coaching varsity. Lutz said former MHS coaches Palmer and Stevenson helped prepare him for the team’s current success.
“Mr. Palmer and Mr. Stevenson were my biggest influence on my coaching philosophy,” said Lutz. “They were my mentors.”
While the players train heavily during the season, the boys also put in a lot of time during the off season.
“Players are made in the summer,” said Lutz referring to the off-season training the boys participate in during June and July.
Lutz is extremely proud of his team this year, for both on and off the court achievements.
“The teams greatest accomplishment this year was having a GPA average over 3.6, and of course winning the West Division,” said Lutz.
Key seniors this year included Chris Orr, Steven Sloboda, and Brandon Wallace. All of these boys are three-year varsity players who were extremely important in Milford’s success.
Along with the seniors, other key players included Juniors Josh Corey, Jacob Lee and Alex Larson and sophomore, Jason Hugan.
One of the team’s main strategies this year was the “passing game.” This means that the boys would slow down and become patient with the ball and create more options.
“Options to shoot and options to pass were created by the passing game, not forcing it,” said Lutz. “The boys are smart kids, they know what they are doing.”
MHS took the KLAA West Division title with a record of 9-1, the one loss was to Grand Blanc. The boys overall had a tremendous season with a final record of 16-4, losing only to Grand Blanc, Waterford Mott, Walled Lake Central, and John Glenn.
However, next year, things will be different without the three top seniors mentioned before. The team will have different strengths and the game play will be much faster with Larson controlling the pace of the game from the point guard position, said Lutz.
Almost every game, a group of about 15 or so Seniors and a few Juniors would come dressed head to toe in Milford gear to support the team. The group called themselves the 6th man and took part in various cheers to motivate the crowd and maintain enthusiasm for the players.
“The fan involvement is a lot of fun,” said Lutz, “it added to the season and created a fun school atmosphere.”
Lutz anticipates that the current Juniors will pick up the 6th man group.
“I hope Alex Tollis is here next year doing that stuff,” said Lutz.
