Dino Milner has that hometown feeling
HALIFAX Andrew Milner is living one of his biggest childhood dreams right now.
Growing up in Nova Scotia, the rookie Calgary Dinos guard never wanted to miss the U Sports national championship when it was held in his home province. Now he’s playing in the same national championship he watched so many times from the seats of the Scotiabank Centre.
That has to be a surreal feeling. “Every tournament they held here when I was growing up I was here. Whether it was the AUS championship or the national championship I would be here as much as I could,’ said Milner, who grew up a two-and-a-half hour drive northeast of Halifax.
“To get the chance to come home and play in front of my family in this atmosphere that I’ve witnessed so many times as a fan as a kid and to actually play in it, it’s an honour.”
Milner committed to the Dinos program prior to Calgary making their appearance at the tournament in Halifax last year. He watched the Dinos win the consolation final, one year after losing in the gold-medal game against the Carleton Ravens.
This year, Milner has provided a big spark off the bench for the Dinos averaging 6.5 points per game.
Playing in his first national championship game on Thurs- day, he chipped in with five points in just six minutes of action in a thrilling 78-76 victory over the Brock Badgers.
Calgary has relied on his scoring touch off the bench and he’ll be counted on to play his role when the Dinos face the McGill Redmen on Saturday in the semifinal (11 a.m. MT).
“Watching these guys at nationals here last year after I committed to them, I wanted that chance to be with them and make a difference and an impact in this program,’ said Milner.
“It’s probably the biggest games I’ve had all year. Timing means a lot and to go in and be solid in a big game, it felt good. Whatever you can do, if it’s a steal or a bucket, just
go in and contribute and if I’m on the bench, I’m cheering those guys on as hard as I can.”
The Dinos got a young sharpshooter who was born in Indiana, which there’s likely a basketball hoop in every driveway in the state.
He moved to Nova Scotia in Grade 2, but in high school, he moved to St. John, N.B., to attend Rothesay Netherwood prep school to focus on basketball.
Now he’s found a home in Calgary with the Dinos.
“When I took my tour (in Calgary), I really felt the strong culture. It’s easy to go away when you feel like you have a second family and these guys have welcomed me into this program, and I couldn’t be happier,’ said Milner.
This marks the third straight national championship tournament for the Dinos and for the second time in three years, they ’re aiming for a chance at a gold medal and their first national championship in school history.
DINOS IN WOMEN’S CONSOLATION FINAL
A clutch three-point shot late by Erin McIntosh was the difference maker in a 17-point fourth quarter for the University of Calgary Dinos as they came from behind to beat the McMaster Marauders of Hamilton 60-52 to book a ticket to Saturday ’s consolation final at the 2018 U Sports women’s basketball Final 8 being held in Regina.
Liene Stalidzane and Brianna Ghali both had 13 points while Bobbi-Jo Colburn added 12. McIntosh and Michaela Nieuwenhuizen chipped in with nine points apiece.
Hilary Hanaka was dynamite for McMaster, pouring in five three pointers and 27 points on the night.