Milaysia Fulwiley dazzles in leading Keenan girls to third straight title appearance
The Milaysia Fulwiley Show is headed back to Colonial Life Arena.
The Keenan freshman put on another dynamic performance Saturday in helping the Raiders defeat Seneca 71-49 in the Class 3A Upper State championship game.
Keenan plays the May River-Marion winner next Saturday for the state championship.
Fulwiley scored 25 of her game-high 42 points in the third quarter as Keenan took control of the game. The Raiders outscored Seneca, 30-12, in the third to lead 61-38 after three quarters.
“I knew I didn’t play too good in the first half, so I knew I had to give it all I got,” Fulwiley said. “It was very fun. I know if I hold my follow-through then it is going straight in.
Fulwiley got two fouls in the first quarter and Keenan coach Reggie McLain thought his star guard was a little tentative for the rest of the half despite scoring 13 points.
In the third quarter, Fulwiley got in a groove and hit four 3-pointers and nearly repeated her performance from earlier this season when she scored 54 points against Wilson in MLK Bash.
Fulwiley has shouldered more of the scoring load ever since Dyani Burke, the second leading scorer, tore her ACL in December. She has scored 30 or more points on six different occasions this season, all since Burke suffered her injury.
“When she gets in a roll, good things happen for us,” McLain said. “When she runs the floor in transition and gets some easy baskets, the fans love it and of course we love it.”
Spring Valley coach Megan Assey, who was broadcasting Saturday’s games, posted on Twitter that Fulwiley’s performance was a clinic and called her a “once-in-a-generation’ talent. The Keenan fans and those at the Bon Secour Wellness Arena agreed, hanging on her every move, especially during the third quarter.
Now, the Raiders hope to cap off their season with a championship, something that eluded them last season. Keenan lost to Bishop England, 54-46, in the title game.
“I am just aiming for four rings. I got my first in seventh grade and didn’t get it last year so it made me even hungrier,” Fulwiley said.
This story was originally published February 29, 2020 at 3:52 PM.
