double-overtime as Milan's fourth quarter comeback was aided when the timekeeper delayed restarting the clock by a few seconds on one occasion. Milan went on to shock the state by winning the 1953 regional title and sweeping the semi-state to advance to the final four, finally bowing out in a 56–37 semifinal blowout to the Bears of South Bend Central High School. The nucleus of that team returned for the 1953–54 season with expectations of tournament success unprecedented for such a small school. The 1953–54 season With four starters returning from the semifinalists, Milan was considered a lock to win both the Ripley County tournament and the sectional. To prepare for the rigors of tournament play, Milan scheduled several games against larger, more prestigious schools, including a tournament at Frankfort, where they would suffer their first loss of the season, a 49–47 nail-biter against the hosts. Milan cruised through the rest of the schedule before suffering a late-season upset to Aurora, who were also coming into a successful period in their basketball history. Schedule Milan 52; Rising Sun 36 — W Milan 64; Vevay 41 — W Milan 48; Osgood 44 — W Milan 61; Seymour 43 — W Milan 24; Brookville 20 — W Milan 67; Hanover 36 — W Milan 50; Lawrenceburg 41 — W Milan 39; Versailles 35 — W Milan 47; Frankfort 49 — L Milan 52; Columbus 49 — W Milan 74; Rising Sun 60 — W Milan 52; Versailles 46 — W Milan 41; Napoleon 34 — W Milan 44; Holton 30 — W Milan 38; Hanover 33 — W Milan 61; Napoleon 29 — W Milan 42; Sunman 36 — W Milan 48; Versailles 42 — W Milan 38; North Vernon 37 — W Milan 45; Aurora 54 — L Milan 38; Osgood 30 — W 1954 IHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament Anticipating a run deep into the later rounds of the Indiana High School Athletic Association boys basketball tournament, Milan expected to easily take the sectional before facing a tough test in the regional and a possible rematch against Aurora. Sectional at Versailles Heavily favored to take the Versailles Sectional, Milan did not disappoint as the Indians crushed tiny Cross Plains before dispatching traditional rivals Versailles and Osgood to take their fifth sectional title. Milan 83, Cross Plains 36 Milan 57, Versailles 43 Milan 44, Osgood 32 Regional at Rushville In the regional