Hershey’s Miller Strikes Gold

Hershey’s first District 3 5A boys’ basketball championship in 51 years on Feb. 28 was especially significant for senior Aidan Miller.

With it came Miller’s fourth D3 gold medal in four years. His first three came in soccer before the Trojans were unseated as three-time champs last fall.

He also has a state championship in soccer on his resume, same as his soccer and basketball teammate, junior Jack Zakovitch, who has three D3 gold medals in three years.

Hershey coach Paul Blackburn feels the talented pair is not yet done.

“I’d like to think our team still has a lot of basketball left in them in the state playoffs,” Blackburn said. “There are going to be more opportunities for them to create some lifetime memories.

“The thing about Aidan and Jack, they are relentless competitors. I have known them since they were young, coming to my basketball camp. I’ve watched them play other sports over the years like soccer. They will compete at anything. They are both great teammates who know what it takes to succeed.”

Miller had a chance to win his fourth D3 gold medal last year in basketball, but Hershey had to settle for silver.

This year, it all came together for Blackburn’s team, which defeated Exeter handily at Giant Center.

“It has been an incredible ride, and I’m grateful for all of it,” Miller said. “All the credit goes to my teammates and coaches, as I have been alongside some amazing players and obviously some great coaches in coach Blackburn and (soccer) coach Andrew Maya. None of this would have happened without them.”

Miller’s decorated career began as a freshman outside back on a talented soccer team.

“Aidan stepping up his freshman year on our 2021 playoff team probably stands out as one of my favorite stories about him,” Maya said. “Then, against Palmyra in the district final, he helped seal the game with his defense and hard-work mentality. We had a great run the next four years.”

In basketball this year, it all came together for the Trojans.

“There were some long days with these guys when they were young at camp,” Blackburn said.

“Aidan would never let up. He’d go right at people. He’s always been a pass first type player, setting up his teammates for success.

“It’s hard not to think of the last four minutes of the home district quarterfinal this year against Milton Hershey. He had nine steals in the game, to go along with multiple assists and big plays. If you were in the gym that night, you left in amazement at the performance of Aidan Miller.”

Miller said that game stands out in his mind.

“The Milton Hershey game was great,” he said. “The gym was sold out with about 1,200 people watching, and Drew Grana hit the game-winning three with the crowd erupting.”

In soccer, Miller said he’ll always remember winning the state championship.

“Celebrating big wins with my teammates because it represents all the hard work,” he said. “My favorite was the game winner Ian McGrorty scored in the state championship game ,and then running to the corner and celebrating with teammates and coaches.”

Miller said last year’s loss in the D3 basketball final was a driving force the past year.

“The feeling we had last year after losing really motivated us to work hard and get the job done this year,” he said. “We were very hungry to get the first district championship for Hershey in 51 years.”

Blackburn sees more ahead.

“Aidan is the person who makes everyone around him more comfortable,” he said. “He makes the game easier. We have more basketball to be played, and hopefully he’ll be recognized when it’s all done for the type of player he is.”

Maya said Miller’s career is impressive.

“He should be a first ballot Hall-of-Famer for Hershey,” Maya said. “Three districts in soccer and a state. Two sections – Keystone All-Star. Basketball district runner up and gold medal, as well as Mid-Penn runner up. A lot of hardware in four years.

“Aidan and Jack are two-sport athletes on some historical Hershey teams, both of them having that extra gear, something you can’t teach that makes them special.”

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Aidan Miller has been a part of teams that have won a combined four D3 gold medals and one state title. Photo: Submitted