In the off-season, the IHSAA decided that they wanted to try and extend the JV quarters to 7 minutes from 6 minutes. Thinking pessimistically, it just doesn't make the most sense, especially on a school night.
Tuesday night at Arsenal Technical High School on the eastside of Indianapolis, we all got our first taste of the extended JV game. The goal of the IHSAA in this case for the JV players is really to get them more playing time than they get with 6 minute quarters. While it's understandable completely as a fan or from a parent's standpoint, it also seemed somewhat frustrating in the season opener. With all of the personal fouls, free throws and turnovers that stopped play, it had the feel (time-wise) of a varsity game. The JV season opener didn't result in a varsity type of score, as Arsenal Tech took our Miller girls to overtime for the win, 39-33.
Noblesville 65, Indianapolis Arsenal Tech 48 - (Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Tech)
Millers 10 17 24 14 - 65
Titans 2 17 9 20 - 48
Things were looking pretty dominant to start off the first quarter of basketball for 7th year head coach Donna Keck's Millers. Jumping out to an 8-0 lead before Arsenal Tech could really even blink is exactly what happened. Committing 15 turnovers in the first wasn't Tech's idea of how they wanted to start their season, but what did you expect when such an experienced and speedy group like Noblesville comes to town?
It was a statement first quarter with forcing 15 Tech turnovers, but the proving factor was that the Millers had 8 steals of those Tech turnovers.
The Titans' Ra'Shay Turentine didn't net the hosts' first bucket until roughly 90 seconds until the end of the quarter and they trailed Noblesville after one, 10-2.
Tech coach Timothy Oliver must have woken up his squad at the quarter break. Arsenal Tech forced Noblesville to commit 9 personal fouls that resulted in Oliver's team to head to the free throw line, where they made 12 of 16 attempts in the quarter. His Lady Titans kept pace with the visiting Millers and tied them in the 2nd at 17-17 to trail at half only by eight, 27-19.
The Noblesville coaching staff must have gotten their points across in the locker room at halftime. The Millers stormed out of the gates in the 3rd and never looked back, lengthening their lead by each possession up the court. Junior forward Alexis Shannon led the charge with 10 in the quarter as Keck's troops built a comfortable lead after three at 51-28.
After building a 23-point lead, it was smooth sailing from there. By the time Keck cleared here bench to make room for the starters to rest the rest of the 4th, Arsenal Tech was able to score some points. They outscored the Millers 20-14 in the final frame, but Noblesville ran away with a 65-48 season-opening victory.
Arsenal Tech (0-1) was led in scoring off the bench by Kali Wilburn with 10, followed by Onayae Young with 9, Tia Clark chipped in with 8 and Ra'Shay Turentine added 7.
Noblesville (2-0) poured out a balanced scoring attack, which is something we will get used to all season long. Alexis Shannon paced all scorers with a game-high 16 points and 4 steals. Katelyn O'Reilly joined her in double-figures with 11. Freshman Emily Kiser made her varsity debut with 9 points, while Audrey DeFoe netted 8 points off the bench on 5-of-6 free throws and a three. Becca Bergman played her first game since her sophomore season in 2012-13 proved that she's back in true Bergman form by scoring 7 points, knocking down a pair of treys. The senior guard also dished out 7 assists and picked the pockets of Tech for 5 steals on the night. Welcome back Becca!
The most intriguing stat of the first half was the foul situation overall. There were a total of 32 fouls called, 16 by each team. That right there told us that we were in for a long night of high school basketball. For the game, I think this trio of officials shook off their off-season rust from their whistles, to say the least. A total of 60 fouls were called, 30 on each team. The Millers were 24-43 (56%) and the Titans were 24-37 (65%). Oddly enough, the only two players to foul out with 60 fouls called were Jalise Beck and Tia Clark of Arsenal Tech.
Noblesville (65) - Kayleigh Herron 2, Becca Bergman 7, Alexis Shannon 16, Katelyn O'Reilly 11, Erin Wood 5, Cori Cain 3, Emily Kiser 9, Audrey DeFoe 8, Rachel Shipman 2, Brooke Herron 1, Haley Conway 1, Sam Salmon 0
Arsenal Tech (48) - Ra'Shay Turentine 7, Jalise Beck 3, Tia Clark 8, Emoni Smith 4, Tessa Toney 2, Onayae Young 9, Kali Wilburn 10, Kennedi Jackson 3, Jaida Beck 2, Hali Shaffer 0
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