By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

The Millis High girls basketball team fell short in its bid to become the program’s  fourth state champion, losing to Springfield International, 42-34, in a defensive battle at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on March 19.

The Mohawks, who compiled a 12-8 record during the regular season that included grueling matchups against Tri Valley League opponents, ended their campaign at 16-9.  

Top-seed Millis and the second-seeded Bulldogs battled intensely in a low-scoring game that featured two teams relying on relentless defensive efforts. Millis, which never led in the contest, tied the Bulldogs at 15 apiece at halftime and trailed by 10 points (36-26) with three minutes left in the game. 

 

The Mohawks, however, went on an 8-0 run, cutting  thier deficit to 36-34 over a 2½-minute span. Millis had a chance to tie it, but Bulldogs junior captain Alicia Mitchell, Springfield International’s 6-foot-4 center who had five blocks, made the play of the game, swatting away a shot in the paint with 50 seconds remaining. 

 

“I was a little nervous, but I just had to block out the score and play good defense and rely on my team to do the right thing,” Mitchell said. “Which they did.’’ 

The Bulldogs’ winning margin in the Division 5 showdown increased to eight points when the Mohawks were forced into foul mode to stop the clock. Mitchell, who averaged 21 points in the four playoff games leading to the state final, finished with 12 points. Iyanna Hodge led the Bulldogs with 15.

“The key to the game was our inability to make shots,’’ said Dave Fallon, who’s led Millis to three state crowns in his 15 years as head coach. “We had our chances but their defense was active. They applied a lot of ball pressure and contested many of our shots. Trying to drive to the hoop was difficult with Mitchell in the paint.’’

Senior co-captain Mia Molinari and junior guard Kyra Rice led Millis offensively. Molinari, who plays power forward and center, scored 14 points and Rice finished with seven. The pair provided all of the Mohawks 15 points at halftime — Molinari had 9 and Rice had 6.

“We’re disappointed with the outcome but the girls competed hard, displayed plenty of dedication and they got better every day,’’ Fallon said. “The opportunity was there but we had tough shooting moments. Nevertheless, I’m proud of the way the girls rallied and proud of their desire to bring us within two points with a minute to go.’’

Molinari, a top-quality leader who’s earned a scholarship to play next year for College of St. Rose in Albany, showed plenty of class and dignity after the game, crediting the Bulldogs for their victory and competitive style.

“They’re talented and scrappy on defense, their ball-handling is effective and they’ve got sharp shooters,’’ she emphasized. “Our defense was formidable but our shots didn’t fall. I look back at what we accomplished this year and it shows great growth. It’s hard to dwell on disappointment when we got to the Final Four. I wanted a different outcome but I’m proud and grateful for advancing to the state final.’’

Molinari recalled that Millis went 8-8 in the TVL but credits the highly skilled and competitive teams in that circuit for preparing Millis for a playoff run.

“We lost four of eight TVL games by three points or less,’’ she noted. “Our league is strong, especially when we face teams like Medfield, Norwood, Westwood, Norton and Dover-Sherborn. Tough competition helped us get ready for the tourney.’’

The Bulldogs, who employed a zone defense against Millis, advanced to the final by defeating South Shore Tech, Monson, Drury and Sutton. The Mohawks journey to the final began with a pair of lopsided victories on their home court. They defeated Pioneer Valley Christian of Springfield (79-40) and Franklin County Tech of Turners Falls (67-38). A 50-41 triumph over Palmer at Medway High earned them a berth in the Final Four. They downed Hoosac Valley (57-47) in the semifinal before their date with Springfield International. 

Heading into the final, Springfield International’s coach, Tyrone Reid, said he wanted his players to focus on their game, “and not get wrapped up in the larger stage or what’s at stake.’’

Reid emphasized that: “What we’ve been doing all year (21-4 record) worked for us. I wanted the girls to work on their defense and just get better every time we stepped onto the floor.’’

After the game, Reid was emphatic about the Bulldogs’ defensive mind-set and the school’s first state title.

“We don’t care how many we score,’’ he said. “There was a point where we didn’t know if the score was going to get into the twenties. That’s our style. As long as we have more points than you, then we’re going to play defense end to end. We’re going to make you earn every basket you get and that’s what we did.”

The Mohawks won state crowns in 2009, 2014 and 2015. They defeated Georgetown in 2009, downed New Mission in 2014 and triumphed over Fenway in 2015. An attempt to win three straight fell short in 2016 when the Mohawks lost to Cathedral. 

Fallon also guided the Mohawks to a pair of Final Four appearances — losing to Quaboag in 2017 and to Hoosac Valley in 2019. During his tenure, Millis has won seven sectional championships, finished runners-up twice in the state tourney, and captured one Tri Valley League title (2019).

Fallon should have another contender for a lengthy playoff run next year. Molinari will be a major loss but eight of his 12 players will return and three of them were starters this season — Rice, Haley Bassett and Shealin Conroy. Also returning is Lindsey Grattan, who scored 20 points against Hoosac Valley in the semifinal round. Ten of her 20 points came on free throws in the final quarter.

Fallon again was pleased with the effort of his coaching staff, noting that their efforts and focus play a key role in the program’s success. They include Paul Geary (jayvee and varsity assistant), Dale Maki (roving assistant), Steve Cassidy (freshmen) and Tom Ingraham (varsity assistant).