Marty Gordon
Auburn High School’s boys’ basketball team returned to the state Class 1 championship game for the third time in the last five years.
In 2020 and 2022, the trip included bringing a title back to Riner.
This year, they led by many as 11 points in the second half before Lancaster put together a late run to pull out the 65-59 win. Lancaster also won last year’s state championship.
The key was the Lancaster defense, which forced 21 turnovers. The lead changed hands six times in the final three minutes before Lancaster pulled away.
Nick Millirons led Auburn with 28 points. The team finished 22-9 overall, while putting together a 14-0 mark in the Mt. Empire District.
The Eagles dominated the Mt. Empire District basketball team announced on Friday. Nick Millirons was first-team all-district and first-team all-region C. In addition, he was named the player of the year for both the MED and Region C.
Millirons was joined on the all-district team by teammates, Coahan Gordon and Drew Royal, who were also first-team all-region C.
Bruce Gill was named to the second team for MED, while Landon Mars and Brady Hale were named to the district honorable mention squad.
Auburn Coach Terry Millirons was named the coach of the year for the MED and region.
Also, Eastern Montgomery’s Cam Sutphin was named to the second team all-Region C.
Millirons, the player, was named to the Class 1 state first team. Gordon was named to the second team.