By Skip Weaver

Contributing writer

The Madison girls’ basketball team had an easier than expected path to a district championship.

The Mohawks (23-2) built a 30-point lead by halftime and cruised to a 65-35 win over Madeira on Saturday in the Division III district finals at Springfield High School.

Senior Meghan Miller herself outscored the Amazons in the first half. She had 15 points to their 11.

“I was just really focused,” said Miller, who finished with a game-high 23 points. She also dished out six assists. “It’s my senior year and I really want us to get back to the final four again. I got a taste of it my freshman year and it was a great experience, something I’ll never forget, so I really want to go again.”

Madeira (21-5) shot just 25 percent (5-of-20) from the floor and went 0-for-8 at the free-throw line in the first half. The Mohawks converted 16-of-30 shots and were 8-of-8 at the charity stripe.

“You don’t expect to be up 30 points in a district game,” MHS coach John Rossi said. “But I think we just set the tone early.  We wanted to get some offensive continuity and we did.”

Madison pounded the ball inside with Miller slashing to the hoop, while senior post players Michelle Brunswick and Josey Harding each pounded the glass to the tune of 10 and nine points respectively. Harding also snared 11 rebounds in what amounted to approximately three quarters of play.

“Megan just played really well,” Rossi said of his leading scorer, who was averaging 14.7 points per game coming into the game. “Her decision-making was phenomenal. Your best players come to play in the big games and she stepped up today.”

So did Harding, Brunswick and junior Olivia Philpot, who also reached double digits in scoring with 10 points. Rossi also praised his bench players, who saw plenty of action Saturday.

“We tell the girls it might be 30 seconds or a minute that they get to play, but they know their role and that’s what they did,” Rossi said.

The Amazons were led by Olivia Benintendi with 16 points and Celia Kline with 11.

Madison will face the Summit Country Day-Fayetteville-Perry winner in the regional semifinals at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday at Springfield High School.

Click here to see more on Madison rolls to district title.