Spinal Column - Chris Wall

Milford’s boys basketball team is ready to challenge for the Lakes Valley Conference title. The Mavericks look to improve on their 13-3 second place finish in the LVC last season.

Head coach David Gilbert, who starts his sixth season on the Maverick bench, says the preseason practices have been spirited so far. He looks to improve on the overall record of 17-5 which was the best record since 2012.

When you have two three-year starters return in Gunnar Gustafson and Nolan Rand, you have a pair of veterans you can build on. Gustafson returns for his senior year after averaging a double-double last year with 15.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Gustafson is a shot blocker averaging 2.8 blocks per game who anchors the inside defense. On the offensive end, he’s a threat in the paint who can get up and down the court in a hurry.

Iron man Nolan Rand who started every game averaging 6 points per game is a solid veteran who’s been through the wars in the Lakes Valley Conference. His steady ball handling skills and tough defense will be huge this year for Milford

Andrew Minton who was an outstanding sixth man last year will be a major factor for the Mavericks. His hard nose attitude and steadiness under fire will be a huge asset for

Milford senior Nolan Rand is excited to start practicing for the 2018-19 season as the Mavericks first practice on Monday, November 5, 2018 (Special to The Spinal Column Newsweekly/CHRIS WALL)

Milford.

The Mavericks will look to senior John Porter and sophomore Eric Elizondo to run the offense at the point.

Coach Gilbert will focus on building connections and chemistry on and off the floor. “We have a lot of guys who can do a variety of things so our practices should be highly competitive.”

“If we maintain a selfless attitude and care more about our teammates than ourselves we could have a very successful season.”

Coach Gilbert went on to say that all teams in the LVC graduated a lot of seniors including Milford’s Aiden Warzecha (Trine University) and Kyle Soderberg (Heidelberg University) and Reid Sellers (U of M Dearborn).

He feels Walled Lake Northern could be the team to beat in this winters Lakes Valley Conference race. “Andre Price, Jack McGuire and Kevyn Robertson give them the best front court in the league and with Troy Lattimore returning they look to be the early favorites.”

The Mavericks are excited to have the chance to play at the Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, Dec. 9 in downtown Detroit. Milford will take on South Lyon East. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Mavericks open the season at home on Friday, Nov. 30 against Fenton.