Hill, Lung, Rinker shine on senior night

Miller concluded their regular season Monday night in a Senior Night victory over rival Marionville.
The Cardinals celebrated three senior starters who fueled the revival of Miller basketball. Nate Hill, Jarod Lung and Brodie Rinker have been part of 50 victories coming into the game and a pair of district championship games, however, they are still looking for that first title since 2020.
The Cardinals were quick to show rival Marionville what they are in for as the Miller offense exploded early on jumping out to an 11-4 lead. Paul Nunez hit a three with 2:30 remaining to extend the Cardinals lead 18-7. Miller kept the offense rolling and the Cardinals opened up a 20-11 lead after one quarter.
Senior Brodie Rinker had a huge impact in the second quarter racking up six of the Cardinals 15 points as the defense of the Cardinals picked up. Marionville was held to just six points in the second period as Miller extended their lead to 35-17 at the break.
Miller came out scorching hot once again in the third quarter as a pair of threes from Owen Weiss extended the lead 43-19 early in the third quarter. The tone switched to a more defensive approach until Miller sophomore Hayden Brown was called for a controversial flop violation and awarded Marionville a pair of free throws. Immediately following that, Miller’s offense exploded for a 10-0 run in the final couple minutes of the third quarter, capped off by a bucket at the buzzer from Paul Nunez. Miller went into the final frame leading 53-25.
Miller cruised in the fourth quarter as the turbo clock was flipped on behind a pair of threes from Paul Nunez. Four Cardinals ended in double figures en route to a 64-28 shellacking over their rival Comets.
Owen Weiss led the Cardinals with 15 points followed by Jarod Lung and Paul Nunez with 14 each. Senior duo Brodie Rinker and Nate Hill had 12 and six respectively.
Miller improves to 17-7 heading into district play. They earned the two seed and will take on Sarcoxie Monday at 7 p.m.