There was no noticeable turning point during Mills' 59-38 victory over Sylvan Hills on Friday night at the Bear Den.
The Comets jumped out to an 11-1 lead, held a 17-point halftime edge and led by 27 late in the third quarter of the 5A-Central game.
But Mills' fourth consecutive victory might not have been possible, Coach Raymond Cooper said, if not for lessons learned 17 days earlier in a 23-point home loss to Pulaski Academy.
"That PA game was an eye opener for us," Cooper said. "It let us know that we have to come out and do what we practice and stick to our game plan. We've been harping on that, and they've responded."
Sylvan Hills found out from the start Friday.
Mills (19-6, 9-2 5A-Central) got started with a three-pointer from sophomore guard Grehlon Easter 20 seconds after the opening tip and led 11-1 after four minutes.
Sylvan Hills Coach Kevin Davis did what he could to change the momentum, inserting senior forward Bryant Woods and Treveon Ross into the game after an early timeout, but the Bears (13-9, 6-6) couldn't make much of a dent.
"I thought his guys were running downhill on offense and defense all night," Davis said of Cooper's Comets. "That was evident. I know that's something he's pleased with and should be. The effort those kids brought was good for them."
Easter led Mills with 16 points. Jordan Washington scored 16 to lead Sylvan Hills.
Cooper said Easter was one of the players who has really turned it around since the Pulaski Academy game.
"Some of the guys I got personal with," Cooper said. "He started last year for us as a freshman, and I told him that he's too good a player. I told him we needed him to step up and progress right now. He started to practice better, and it's showing up in the games. I'm proud of him, and we need that from him."
An 18-foot jump shot by freshman guard Taydren Ford gave Mills its largest lead of the game at 47-20 late in the third quarter.
Mills (59)
Ware 1 1-2 3, Harris 0 0-0 0, G. Easter 6 1-3 16, Hall 4 0-0 8, Marshall 4 0-0 8, Ricks 0 0-0 0, McCrary 2 0-0 4, Jones 3 0-0 6, Curne 2 2-2 7, Allen 1 0-0 3, C. Easter 0 2-2 4, Ford 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 6-9 59
Sylvan Hills (38)
Williams 0 3-4 3, Winston 1 0-0 3, Woods 1 0-0 3, Washington 7 2-4 16, Curry 3 2-4 8, Smith 1 0-0 2, Raynor 1 0-0 3. Totals 14 7-12 38
Mills (19-6) 21 14 14 10 -- 59
Sylvan Hills (13-9) 8 10 6 14 -- 38
Three-point goals -- Mills 3 (Easter, Allen, Curne), Sylvan Hills 3 (Raynor, Winston, Woods). Total fouls -- Mills 14, Sylvan Hills 13.
Sports on 02/13/2016