Milham doing it all for Shen hoop squad
Kate Milham is a sophomore forward/guard for the Shenendehowa girls’ basketball team.
A second-year varsity player, Milham helped her team record four wins last week. She delivered 15 points and nine rebounds Saturday in a 48-24 victory over Binghamton. Shenendehowa is ranked No. 8 in the latest Class AAA state poll.
Q: How are you feeling about the team right now?
A: Good, I think we are working really hard and we know that when we play as a team, we are at our best. We have kept working and, even if we have some ups and downs, we know we can rely on each other. Relying on each other has made us successful.
Q: I watched the team play twice at the Amsterdam Holiday College Showcase, which followed a 49-48 loss against Averill Park. The defeat seemed to raise the intensity level of the team. Is that how you viewed it?
A: Yes. We knew we would be facing high-intensity teams that were going to play good defense. We knew we were going to face that, so we have been pushing ourselves in practice even more. At Amsterdam, we were prepared for that and we executed well after the Averill Park game.
Q: What have you tried to bring to the team?
A: I think I am bringing more offensively, playing good defense and rebounding.
Q: The team does not have a lot of post players, so do you feel you have to provide strength at both ends?
A: I feel I can be used as a guard and a post. Rebounding is really important and I am one of the tallest players on the team, so they are relying on me to play big and straight up. I have been playing bigger post players on the other teams and I am able to handle the ball when I need to.
Q: The 2022-23 team graduated some important players, so what was the level of expectation entering this season?
A: I think we knew that other teams were doubting us because we lost some threepoint shooting from last year. We knew that if we played as a team and trusted each other, we would be good. We can shoot 3s, drive to the basket, we are really aggressive and a good defensive team that can rebound. Q: I have to imagine there is a level of excitement for the upcoming Section II Class AAA tournament. There are not many teams, but the playoffs should be fun. What are your hopes for the postseason?
A: I think we can go pretty far if we continue to play like we have been. The next few games we have are going to be good games against teams like Albany and Bethlehem. We have to be prepared for them. I think we are going to go far if we keep playing like we have been. Q: How old were you when you started playing basketball?
A: All of my siblings played, so I grew up watching them. I was dribbling the ball when I was one. I started playing rec ball in second grade and began with travel ball in third grade.
Q: What was it about the game that you enjoy?
A: I like the intensity and I love being able to play and shoot. I just like the game whether it is watching it or playing it.
Q: Was it a little disappointing not going further in the Section II Class AA tournament last year?
A: Yeah, I think we definitely wanted to go farther, but I think we all knew we had to come back even harder this year. It was disappointing having to say goodbye to those seniors after the loss. During the summer, we really pushed ourselves because we want to go farther this year.