A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: A capsule look at the 2018-19 team:
- 2017-18 Record: 8-16, 2-12 ECC (Division I area coaches’ preseason poll not yet released)
- Head Coach: Dave Fallis (1st year at Milford, 10th year as head coach)
- Top Returning Scorer: Sophomore Azyiah Williams (7.4 ppg)
- Top Returning Scorer: Junior Abby Thierauf (6.2 rpg)
A LOOK AT THE SEASON AHEAD: The Eagles enter the 2018-19 season with a change at the top as Dave Fallis has taken over as head coach. The head coach at Bethel-Tate High School for the last nine years, Fallis takes over the Milford program after leading his former squad to two sectional, one district and one conference title during his tenure.
This year’s flock of Eagles features a nice blend of youth and experience. Azyiah Williams earned second team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference honors as a freshman point guard last season and will be the floor general again for the Eagles. She averaged just over seven points and two assists per game last year, while ranking among the league’s best with 40 steals. Junior Abby Thierauf was an all-conference honorable mention choice after topping the Eagles with 6.2 rebounds per game and an ECC-best 44 blocks.
The Eagles will also count on the contributions of experienced seniors Morgan Hills, Ali Kirk and Caitlin Wiscombe. Fellow senior Emily Bientz and sophomore Carlie Duesing saw limited action last year and should play bigger roles this season. The roster is rounded out by two varsity newcomers in junior Kaitlyn Geis and freshman Paige Ayler.
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS: A look at Milford’s schedule for this week:
- Saturday, Nov. 24 vs. McNicholas, 2:00 p.m.
- 2017-18 Record: 13-11, 5-5 GCLC (not yet released Division II area coaches’ preseason poll not yet released)
- Top Returning Scorer: Senior Emily Byrne (11.7 ppg)
- Last Meeting: 2017-18; McNicholas 58, Milford 38
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s top returning statistical leaders:
Points per game: Azyiah Williams (7.4), Morgan Hills (6.5), Ali Kirk (5.5)
Assists per game: Azyiah Williams (2.0), Abby Thierauf (0.9), Morgan Hills (0.8)
Rebounds per game: Abby Thierauf (6.2), Ali Kirk (4.5), Azyiah Williams (3.3)
Steals: Azyiah Williams (40), Ali Kirk (35), Caitlin Wiscombe (14)
Blocks: Abby Thierauf (44), Carlie Duesing (8), Morgan Hills/Azyiah Williams (3)
Field goal percentage: Carlie Duesing (.357), Azyiah Williams (.350), Abby Thierauf (.315)
Three-point percentage: Ali Kirk (.333), Caitlin Wiscombe (.302), Morgan Hills (.295)
Free throw percentage: Ali Kirk (.784), Azyiah Williams (.649), Morgan Hills (.581)
POLL WATCH: The first coaches’ poll of the new season has yet to be released. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.
Milford Eagles Season/Career Highs
Paige Ayler
Points—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Emily Bientz
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 4 at Walnut Hills (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 1 vs. Mount Healthy (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Carlie Duesing
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 8 at Hughes (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 5 three times (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: 1 four times (2017-18)
Kaitlyn Geis
Points—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: N/A
Morgan Hills
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 14 twice (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 6 vs. Withrow (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: 4 at Hughes (2017-18)
Ali Kirk
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 14 vs. Hillsboro (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 10 at Clark Montessori (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: 3 at Madeira (2017-18)
Abby Thierauf
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 14 at Hughes (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 14 vs. Northwest (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: 2 six times (2017-18)
Blocks—Season: N/A; Career: 6 vs. Shroder (2017-18)
Caitlin Wiscombe
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 13 vs. Winton Woods (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 5 vs. Turpin (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: 5 at Hughes (2017-18)
Azyiah Williams
Points—Season: N/A; Career: 15 at Turpin (2017-18)
Rebounds—Season: N/A; Career: 7 at Turpin (2017-18)
Assists—Season: N/A; Career: 6 vs. Northwest (2017-18)
Steals—Season: N/A; 10 at Hughes (2017-18)