Last season, Millbrook went 27-2 and lost in the NCHSAA 4A state championship to South Central. This season head coach Christopher Davis has his team “locked and loaded” for another run at the state championship and is already regarded as one of the premier teams in the state. Head coach Rob Salter led Greenfield to a 33-4 record and the NCISAA 1A state championship. Both teams are extremely well-coached and this may be the toughest opening day contest. Millbrook came into the John Wall Holiday Invitational with an 11-0 record while Greenfield sat with a 14-2 record.
Greenfield took a 10-9 first-quarter lead as both teams struggled to get into their offensive rhythm, which could be contributed to some pesky and scrappy defense. That being said, the second quarter was reminiscent of the first quarter as both teams struggled to find offensive consistency as the half ended with a 20-17 Greenfield lead. For the half, Greenfield went 7-for-30 from the floor for 23.3% and 2-for-11 from the 3-point line for 18%. On the other hand, Millbrook went 5-for-23 from the floor for 21.7%, 2-of-9 from the 3-point line for 22%. However, both teams exhibited a lot of energy and hustle.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Greenfield managed to stretch the lead to 39-27 by exerting more patience on the offensive end of the court. In an effort to make the extra pass, Greenfield took time off the clock but capitalized off scoring opportunities. But to Millbrook’s credit, they kept battling and pulled the game within 46-45 with 1:29 remaining where their defense creating a turnover and an old-fashion 3-point play by Will Felton to take a 48-46 lead going into the final minute. As both teams traded points, Millbrook was able to pull out exciting 52-50 win a scrappy Greenfield.
Leading the way for Millbrook was 6’0 senior Zach Miller and 6’8 junior Will Felton, both with 12 points while 6’9 junior Eric Van der Heijden tallied 10 points. For Greenfield, 6’0 senior Collin Guilford and 6’4 eight-grader Hampton Evans both chipped in 12 points apiece. Both teams had subpar shooting performances, but it was an entertaining game down the stretch by two of the better bench coaches in the state.
Game MVP: 6’8 Junior Will Felton
Will Felton came into the game averaging 20.5 PPG and 11.6 RPG and he recorded another double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three block shots, not to mention 10 of his 12 points came in the crucial second half come from behind win.