Bouley guns in 30 points for Glen Este

Milford defeated Glen Este 68-62 in a very hard-fought Fort Ancient Valley Conference East Division battle on the losers’ floor.

Glen Este’s Shane Seckman (10) drives trough the Milford defense as the Eagles' Robert Overbeck is squared to try to stop the Trojan's drive. Photo courtesy of Holly Schwalbach
The game was a see-saw, nip and tuck-struggle throughout as the Trojans determinedly sought revenge for an earlier-season setback at the aviary. The score was tied six times and the largest margin of difference was only six points held by Milford 33-27 early in the third quarter and by Glen Este with 4 minutes, 47 seconds remaining in the confrontation.

Early on, the Eagles jumped off to an 11-8 first quarter led by junior forward Robert Overback. He received good support from senior guard Jess Stankeveh.

Both teams hampered their offensive efforts with numerous traveling calls throughout the first half.

The second quarter saw a more balanced attack from the visitors, but Glen Este was just about all Mike Bouley, senior forward, who accounted for 19 of GE’s 23 first half points as they trailed Milford just 25-23 going into the locker room.

“Bouley had a great game. I think he’s the most dominant player in our league,” said his coach Dave Caldwell. We challenged him to step it up this game.”

Again, the third period was a spirited head-to-head fray, but the Trojans finally grabbed the lead at 37-35 on a field goal from senior guard Corey Goedde who, along with Bouley, maintained good efforts and pulled the hosts to within one point at the end of the third stanza 42-41.

The Purple People came on very strong at the beginning for the fourth quarter. Shane Seckman, senior guard, hit on two three-point shots to pace GE to a 54-48 lead. Overbeck went to work again spearheading the Eagles’ rally as they went ahead for the final time 57-55 with 2::31 left in the contest and then managed to increase the lead to its final biggest-ever advantage of six points for the final tally of 68-62.

The victory earns the Eagles an 11-1 conference/division record and the Trojans are 10-2. Overall, the Red and White and the Purple and White are both 13-3.

“One of best high school games I’ve ever seen or been part of,” said Joe Cambron, Milford head coach. “It seemed every possession was important for both teams. It was our best played game of the year…I think the difference was free throws…Nick Hittner scored all 17 of his points in the second half. ”

“I thought both teams played really well, but I was disappointed with the referees. We were both fouling, but they shot 20 more free throws than we did. Both teams shot incredible at the line. They were 30 of 33 and we were 10 of 13,” said Caldwell.

Milford scoring: Nick Hittner 17, Overbeck 16, Zach Baker 13, Stankeveh 13, and Cody Diercks 9. Rebounds: Baker and Overbeck six each. Assists: Diercks four and Stankeveh three.

Glen Este scoring: Bouley 30, Seckman 14, Goedde eight, Wynton Overcast four, Austin Rieck four, and Alex Fultz two. Rebounds: Bouley 10. Assists: Goedde six and Seckman five. Blocked shots: Bouley three.