Knights thwart Hickory Night for Milan

PHOTO COURTESY OF MILAN BASKETBALL

Milan boys basketball transformed into the fictional Hickory Huskers on Saturday night, wearing the team uniform that was made famous in the movie “Hoosiers.” The Indians celebrated Hickory Night despite a 59-51 loss to South Dearborn.

A night to celebrate the program that inspired perhaps the greatest sports movie of all-time was ruined by a visiting ball club on Saturday night as South Dearborn boys basketball stayed out front all night and delivered a 59-51 victory against Milan.

The loss snapped Milan’s four-game win streak. Milan on “Hickory Night” donned uniforms depicting the fictional state championship school in the movie “Hoosiers” and 1954 great Rollin Cutter and “Hoosiers” actor Brad Long were honored as part of the evening’s festivities. Long played Buddy Walker in the film.

South Dearborn never could fully pull away but kept Milan at arm’s length all evening. The Knights led 16-10 after one quarter and held three-possession leads at the end of the next three periods. Much of that inching out and maintaining had to do with Scout Gray who hit for 19 points and was 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

Tyler Christian and Mason Lane added 17 points and 12 points apiece for the Knights. Milan’s Micah Norman scored 15 points and is now 13 points away from becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Ben Knowlton added 11 points for the Indians, Ethan Clark had nine points and Gabe Riehle finished at six points. Complete scoring for Milan was not provided by time of print.
Milan (9-8) hosts Waldron tonight.