“As a team, we had a refuse-to-lose attitude. We weren’t going to go down easy. We wanted this more than anything. I was just trying to do anything I could to help the team accomplish that.”
That would be plenty. Miller tallied 15 points in the third quarter, 26 in that title-clinching second half and a game-high 33 in super-charging the Knights to their second straight D-II state title. And that wasn’t all.
The highly recruited 5-foot-11 guard — she’s uncommitted — also hit 13 of 18 shots, three treys, had 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists in the final four’s most awesome individual effort any division.
“Braxtin took it to another level,” Alter co-coach Chris Hart said. “They couldn’t match her athleticism. She took full advantage of that. It was almost like when an animal smells blood. Braxtin smelled that blood.”
It was a dominating Alter display of championship hoop, especially after OG pulled within four midway through the third quarter. But that’s when Kadie Hempfling, a rugged 5-9 inside player, got tangled with Alter’s Ty Markoff along the baseline and left with a broken finger.
The Knights immediately went on a game-changing 16-1 run and the rout was on.
“We ran up against a buzz saw and at the end of the game we didn’t have enough to finish,” Titans coach Troy Yant said. “We were holding our own … but every time we broke down, they scored. They’ve played at a high level for a long time. You can’t simulate that kind of stuff in practice. It’s definitely the most quality and well-balanced team we’ve seen.”
Glandorf (26-3) also lost in the D-III state title game last season and was since reclassified as D-II. Erin Kaufman led the Western Buckeye League champs with 12 points and Kylie white added 11.
Alter’s other three-year backcourt guard Libby Bazelak added 10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Kara Stephenson also hit a couple of threes and produced 10 points for Alter (28-2), which will take a 16-game win streak into next season. Alter hit nine 3’s, also getting one each from Bazelak, Hayley Combs, Lauren Lush and Markoff.
It was the third straight state title game Alter has played in and pushed its combined overall record to 87-3 in that span.
Besides the last two, Alter also won the 2008 D-II state title. The 74 points set an all-time D-II state title game high, eclipsing Dunbar’s 73-59 defeat of Canfield in the 1991 title game.
“What a ride it’s been these last three years, honestly,” said Hart.
Waterford 29, Fostoria St. Wendelin 27: Megan Ball hit a game-winning layup with 13 seconds remaining as Waterford earned an offensively challenged D-IV title. Waterford led 17-16 after three quarters; the teams were deadlocked at 12-apiece at the half.
Ball led Waterford (28-1) with 10 points. Ali Kern added five points, 10 rebounds and six steals for the Wildcats, who lost the D-IV title game last year to Fort Loramie. Allie Rutter led Wendelin (26-4) with 11 points. Wendelin’s 6-4 senior center Kamryn Troike had seven points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
Col. Africentric 59, Marion Pleasant 37: Kynnedy Azubike scored 15 ponits to lead a balanced offense as the Nubians won their fifth state title since 2007, capturing the D-III title in Saturday's opener. Leah Morrow added 12 points and Jordan Horston 11 for Africentric (24-5).
Pleasant (27-3) was forced into 36 turnovers and wilted in the second half when it was outscored 40-14.
Wadsworth 60, Mason 51: The Grizzlies (28-1) scored the first 10 points, mounted a 16-1 lead and held off the Comets' second-half comeback to win their first state title in the D-I nightcap. Mason (26-3) closed within four midway through the final quarter before Wadsworth pulled away.
Jodi Johnson tallied 28 points to lead the Grizzlies. Lauren Van Kluenen led the Comets with 15 points.
• The boys state final fours are Thursday through Saturday this week also at the Schott.
About the Author