MILFORD-After clinching their seventh straight Tri-Valley division title with a win over rival Cherry Valley-Springfield last Wednesday, the Milford boys basketball team sent a message to Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Tuesday night with a 63-54 victory in what was a preview of the Tri-Valley Championship Game at Oneonta State on Feb. 17.

The message: Milford is clearly the class of the Tri-Valley. Not only are they undefeated in league play with one game remaining at Schenevus Friday, they have lost just five Tri-Valley games over the last seven years and defeated the Raiders in last year's title game.

"I don't know if any other (Tri-Valley) team has ever been in the championship game seven straight years, but I doubt it," Crowley said. "It's quite an accomplishment."

Like Milford, the Raiders entered Tuesday's game undefeated in league play, but the Wildcats used a solid team effort to hold off a late G-MU charge.

Patrick Kelly was his usual stellar self, scoring 15 points and grabbing 17 rebounds while Hamza Sinanj had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

But teammates Any Work and Joe Ward also made key contributions, ward scoring six straight points in the second quarter to give Milford a 20-11 lead, and Work making a key steal and lay-up late in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

"We broke their press and got balanced scoring, those were the keys," Crowley said. "Ryan Campbell and Ben Cotter both had four assists and four steals and they're both great defensive players for us."

Milford never relinquished the lead, but G-MU did cut the deficit to 57-54 with 34 seconds remaining. But Campbell hit four free throws to put the game away.

The 16-1 Wildcats will get a chance to avenge their only loss of the season this Tuesday when they host Schenectady-Christian, who beat Milford in overtime back in December.

The Wildcats defeated both CV-S and Franklin before the G-MU game, using a team effort to defeat the Patriots in a hard-fought game.

Leading by two with 50 seconds left, Milford converted a technical foul free throw and a short jumper by Sinanaj to go up by five and put the game away.

"It was a tough game," Crowley said. "We always seem to have close games with Cherry Valley."

Kelly had 17 points to go along with a whopping 17 rebounds, while Hamza Sinanaj continued his strong play with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Ben Cotter also had a stellar night, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out six assists, making four steals and scoring six points.

Kelly had 27 points against Franklin, while Sinanaj had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Campbell eight assists and six steals.

...The game against Schenectady-Christian Tuesday is also Senior Night for the Milford players.