State tournament: Milton advances to first title game

David Boyd is back in championship territory.

His Milton boys team continued its unlikely Class AAAAA state tournament run Thursday night by rolling past Newnan 64-53 at Gwinnett Arena and advancing to the championship game for the first time in school history.

The program’s previous best was a semifinal appearance in 1958.

“It’s a team that has improved as much as any team I’ve ever coached,” said Boyd, who tonight will try to win his fifth state title at four schools.

“People ask me about pressure, but they’re so young they don’t know any better,” Boyd said. “They just go out and play.”

Newnan (26-4) seemingly had seized the momentum at the end of the third quarter when Russell Powell made a 3-point shot to cut Milton’s lead to 39-38.

But the youthful Eagles did not blink due to the all-around play of sophomore guards Shannon Scott and Dai-Jon Parker.

Scott opened the final period by sinking two free throws. Parker followed with a 3-point basket, and Scott then passed to freshman Evan Nolte for a layup that increased Milton’s margin to 46-38.

Scott led Milton with 19 points, while sophomore forward Julian Royal had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 blocks. Nolte scored 15 points and Parker 12, with four steals.

Seniors Larry Harden (14) and Alan Bonner (12) led Newnan.