Miller's triple gets Summerfield started to District championship

BRITTON – Mia Miller started it all.

The Summerfield sophomore opened the scoring in the finals of the Division 4 District at Britton Deerfield Saturday with a 3-pointer.

Seeing the modest sophomore connect from long range gave the Bulldogs the spark they needed.

“The girls were ready to play,” Summerfield coach Mickey Moody said. “They were loose. They wanted to take it to them. Then Mia Miller hit that 3-pointer and that got everyone going.”

Summerfield wound up scoring 22 points in the first quarter and led by 17 at the first break. The Bulldogs went on to beat Britton Deerfield 67-45 to win their second straight District title.

Miller might have been the most surprised person in the gym that she hit the big shot.

“We have so many good players,” she said.

Moody said Miller is included in that group of good players.

“Mia is solid,” he said. “She’s been great all year. She can shoot outside or go inside.”

Miller was delighted to be able to step up in a big game.

“I felt very excited,” she said. “It got me motivated.”

Miller had 5 rebounds to go along with 8 points.

Freshman Jaeli Jones had a big game for Summerfield with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals.

Seniors Abby Haller (15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and Destanee Smith (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) filled up the stat sheet as usual.

“Abby and Destanee do such a good job of starting the attack,” Moody said.

Ava Fisher drained a trio of 3-pointers for 9 points.

“All the kids did well,” Moody said. “In the first half, we executed well. In the third quarter, we got a little too relaxed with the lead and Britton Deerfield had a nice run.”

Summerfield put the game away by controlling the fourth quarter 18-10.

Having players such as Miller willing to put up 3-pointers is one of the secrets to Summerfield’s success.

“I know we shoot a lot of iffy shots, but I want the girls shooting those,” Moody said.

The Bulldogs improved to 21-3, adding to the school record for wins in a season again. The previous record was 18.

They earned the right to play in the Regional they are hosting, taking on Southfield Christian (10-13) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

SUMMERFIELD: Taylor 0 1-2 1, Fisher 3 (3) 0-0 9, Miller 2 (1) 3-4 8, Mannebach 7 (1) 5-8 20, Smith 2 6-11 10, Haller 5 (1) 4-5 15. Totals 20 (6) 18-34 67.

BRITTON DEERFIELD: Prielipp 1 0-1 2, Avivia Salenbien 5 (2) 2-4 14, Watson 2 1-3 5, Crots 2 1-2 5, Alayna Salenbien 1 1-3 3, Molnar 6 0-0 12, Guzman 1 0-0 2, Stetler 0 2-2 2. Totals 18 (2) 7-15 45.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Miller's triple gets Summerfield started to District championship