Welcome to the 3rd Annual Noblesville Holiday Tournament! Noblesville AD Michael Hasch and Assistant AD Tony Oilar and their support staff have put together quite a field of eight teams that will play a total of 12 games over a two day span and a lot of exciting basketball!
On Monday and Tuesday, December 29th and 30th, The Mill in Noblesville will see 12 games of high school varsity boys basketball and there will be a plethora or talented teams and individuals. Half of the teams are newcomers to this 3rd version of the Noblesville Holiday Tournament, while three (Noblesville, New Haven and Guerin Catholic) are in their third year and Lawrence North makes their second appearance.
This year, it features 8 teams from 5 different conferences and one independent. Those eight combine for a total record of 34-14, four of those having one loss and Lawrence North is the only undefeated squad at 5-0.
Here is a look at what the tournament format looks like for each day:
Dec. 29 Game 1: Guerin Catholic (7-1) vs. New Haven (3-3), 10 am
Dec. 29 Game 2: Crown Point (4-1) vs. Avon (2-4), Noon
Dec. 29 Game 3: Chesterton (6-1) vs. Noblesville (5-1), 2 pm
Dec. 29 Game 4: Lawrence North (5-0) vs. Columbus East (2-3), 4 pm
Dec. 29 Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 pm (semifinal)
Dec. 29 Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 8 pm (semifinal)
Dec. 30 Game 7: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 9 am (consolation)
Dec. 30 Game 8: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 11 am (consolation)
Dec. 30 Game 9: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, 1 pm (3rd place game)
Dec. 30 Game 10: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 3 pm (5th place game)
Dec. 30 Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 5 pm (7th place game)
Dec. 30 Game 12: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 7 pm (Championship)
Game 1 preview - Guerin Catholic (7-1) vs. New Haven (3-3):
Guerin Catholic came into the season ranked #1 in Class 3A and was hoping to be flying high without a blemish to their young season, but that came to a screeching halt on Friday, December 29th.
Lawrence North's Jack Keefer was coaching in his 1,000th career game that night when they played at Guerin Catholic. LN took the host Golden Eagles to overtime and took Guerin out of the ranks of the unbeaten, 62-55.
The Golden Eagles got back on the winning track the next night with a big road win at The Marion Crawley Center at Lafayette Jeff, 53-50.
New Haven has had their ups and downs already this season and they've only played 6 games. First-year head coach Bruce Stephens takes over the sidelines from Al Gooden after Golden took over at Lawrence Central.
After a season-opening 71-49 win at Woodlan, the Bulldogs dropped two in a row to Fort Wayne Northrop (73-42) and Fort Wayne Blackhawk (71-70).
Things have turned around of late for New Haven. Stephens' squad has won two of their last three and have begun scoring more points as the season progresses. Victories at Huntington North (85-77) and Bellmont (76-48) surround a home loss to Leo, 74-62.
Game 2 preview - Crown Point (4-1) vs. Avon (2-4):
Crown Point seems to be one of the hotter teams in the tournament field this year. Losing a blowout at The Penn Palace in Osceola to the Penn Kingsmen 65-40, 9th year head coach Clint Swan has found a way to rally the troops for four straight victories.
Swan started this 4-game streak with a huge road win at Andrean (74-69), where he coached from 1997-2001 and was 83-16 with a 3A State Runner-up finish in 2000.
The Bulldogs continued the winning ways winning at home against Lafayette Jeff (76-52) and wins at Munster (65-57) and South Central (Union Mills) (65-47).
The Avon Orioles have played a tough slate to start their season. A 2-0 start got things off on the right foot, playing in a neutral site game against Plainfield (71-59) and at Hamilton Southeastern (64-60).
Four consecutive losses heading in to the Noblesville Holiday Tournament have the Orioles reeling at the wrong time. Tough games at home versus Carmel (57-34), Terre Haute South (76-59) and Brownsburg (74-51) turned things sour and got worse on the road December 20 at Bloomington South, 71-56.
Following their appearance at Noblesville, Avon competes in the Hendricks County Tournament starting on January 7.
Game 3 preview - Chesterton (6-1) vs. Noblesville (5-1):
Chesterton is another team that's started off really well. The Trojans jumped their season out to a 5-0 start to open up some eyes in northwest Indiana.
Thanksgiving weekend, they won big at The Cave in Mishawaka (70-55) and have played great basketball for head coach Tom Peller.
Hammond Morton (70-59), Lowell (66-51), at Bowman Academy (90-86, 2 OT), Gary Roosevelt (60-44) were the next four victims.
A Tuesday, Dec. 16 loss at East Chicago Central (68-64) put a stop to the Trojans' 5-game streak, but a win vs. Hammond Bishop Noll (62-57) to boost their confidence back up as they'll look to make some noise in the Noblesville Holiday Tournament.
Noblesville has just one loss in the first six games for 1st year head coach Brian McCauley. They started Thanksgiving week of with a pair of wins over Indianapolis Northwest (71-36) and Indianapolis Howe (65-55).
They got a quick reality check in an early season Hoosier Crossroads Conference loss at home to Fishers, 55-42.
The Millers have gotten back to winning lately. Peru (40-29), at Westfield (60-46) and Hamilton Heights (35-31) got Noblesville on a three-game streak heading into their own tournament.
Game 4 preview - Lawrence North (5-0) vs. Columbus East (2-3):
Lawrence North is the lone undefeated team in this year's tournament. As per usual, head coach Jack Keefer's Wildcats play on one of the toughest schedules in the state of Indiana.
On Thanksgiving Eve, LN routed Detroit Cornerstone (MI) 91-66 to help springboard their season. Wins at home against Marion (76-65) and Lawrence Central (66-48), along with road victories at Brebeuf Jesuit (59-51) and Guerin Catholic (62-55, OT) have helped jump Keefer's team out to a 5-0 record heading into Monday and Tuesday's festivities at Noblesville.
The Wildcats' win at Guerin Catholic was Jack Keefer's 1,000th game over his 43-year coaching career.
Columbus East comes into the Noblesville Holiday Tournament having played the least amount of games. That isn't a bad thing that, because it's the result of the Olympians' football team advancing the Class 4A Semi-State the week before Thanksgiving.
Starting their season a little later on Dec. 6 at home vs. New Albany, the Columbus East lost the season-opener 59-49.
They then got the taste of winning by winning at Heritage Christian (46-40) and at home against Bedford North Lawrence (64-45).
The Olympians come into holiday tournament play on a two-game losing streak with a couple of double-digit losses on the road at Silver Creek (56-27) and Columbus North (65-51).
All 12 games of the 2014 Noblesville Holiday Tournament can be streamed LIVE on Hamilton County TV at HCTV.com!
Myself (Craig Adkins), along with Perry Williams and Mitch Robinson, will have the play-by-play for all 12 games!
Whether you're able to be there live or not, we're just a click away at HCTV.com!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
#4 Noblesville outlasts Westfield, improves to 11-0
It was anticipated to be an all-out dogfight between two HCC rivals and it surely lived up to its billing. Noblesville and Westfield girls basketball in recent years has been a knock down, drag out physical battle until the clock hits all zeros. On Saturday afternoon, Noblesville had one thing in mind. BEAT WESTFIELD. That's something that the Millers haven't done since 2009. Westfield has had Noblesville's number in the past five seasons, winning eight in a row in the series to take a 17-14 lead over the Millers in the count. The Shamrocks have won the previous eight meetings by an average of 8 points.
The Millers were on their home floor and weren't worried about the fact that they've lost eight in a row to Westfield. Who knows, they might have been thinking that. Taking this season one game at a time and concentrating on that opponent has been a key to this group getting to where it is as a team. They're well aware that they'll face Homestead (83.8 ppg) in their first game of the Greenfield-Central Holiday Tournament on January 2nd, but that wasn't something to worry about until after Westfield was put to bed.
4A #4 Noblesville 68, Westfield 55 - (Sat. Dec. 20 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Shamrocks 10 11 15 19 - 55
Millers 12 15 19 22 - 68
Just as Noblesville was focused on beating Westfield and nothing else, the visiting Shamrocks were upset-minded from the opening tip.Abby Reeder started Westfield off on the right foot with a three, but was matched on the other end of the court. Becca Bergman tossed the ball into the paint for Erin Wood, but being doubled as soon as the pass got to her, Wood dished it back out to Bergman and she canned a trey to get the Millers going and
tie it 3-3.
Back and forth would go the first with Keck's squad taking control toward the final minutes of the quarter. Thanks to a steal and coast-to-coast layup from Kayleigh Herron, an Erin Wood jumper and a 2nd Bergman three, Noblesville clung to a 12-10 edge through one.
The Millers started to pull away a little a the beginning of the second, but the Shamrocks kept themselves at a pretty close distance with Noblesville up two possessions 27-21 at the half.
Something must have happened in the Westfield locker room. They came out on a mission. Allison Van Dyke swished a three to get the Shamrock fans going to trail just 27-26. The next trip up the floor, Annaliese Drudge got fouled and made both free throws for a 28-27 lead change for Westfield. Bergman had that look on her face that she was determined and nailed her fourth three of the day for a 30-28 Miller advantage.
Kayleigh Herron assisted on an Erin Wood bucket for a 34-32 lead, but Westfield would tie it up again at 34-34 on two Drudge free throws, only adding fuel to the fire for Noblesville.
Wood stole an inside pass and launched an outlet pass to Cori Cain for a driving layup all alone for a 36-34 score that the Millers wouldn't let go of. From that point in the third, Brooke Herron took over for a couple possessions. The sophomore sparkplug off the bench found herself open for two 3's in a row and just like that, the Millers were up 42-34 with 1:42 left in the 3rd, forcing head coach Shane Sumpter to call a timeout for Westfield to cool down Noblesville.
Noblesville extended their lead to their largest at 44-34 when Bergman took one of her four steals back the other way for a layup. The younger Herron (Brooke) made a pair of free throws to close out the third with 8 of the Millers' final 10 of the quarter and lead 46-36.Despite picking up 3 fouls in the first half and her fourth in the middle of the third, Katelyn O'Reilly took a seat until the 4th. Then, the 4th quarter became The O'Reilly show. The Millers' 5'11 power forward scored 9 of her 13 points in the 4th in helping her teammates fend off Westfield and push the Shamrocks away for a 68-55 victory in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
Westfield (6-4, 1-2 HCC) was led in scoring by Allison Van Dyke and her game-high 20 points on five field goals and 9-of-11 at the free throw line. Maddy Grennes also reached double-figures with 11, while Haliegh Reinoehl (9), Annaliese Drudge (7) and Abby Reeder (4) made up the rest of the Shamrocks' scoring.The Shamrocks will get a little time off before they're back to it. They hit the road on January 2nd to face Franklin Central (9-2) and host 4A #9 Lake Central (11-1) on January 3rd.
Noblesville (11-0, 4-0 HCC) had three finish in double-digits and were led by Becca Bergman's 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Katelyn O'Reilly got her 6th double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds and Alexis Shannon added 13 points and 4 steals. Aside from being whistled for four fouls by early in the 4th, Erin Wood had 6 points and 7 rebounds.
Brooke Herron had all 8 of her points in the final two minutes of the third. Kayleigh Herron (5), Cori Cain (5) and Emily Kiser (2) made up for the remaining 12 points.
The Millers get a little bit of a break from game action, but will be practicing hard as they'll face 4A #3 Homestead, who is 9-0 before playing at Carmel tonight (Monday).
Hamilton County TV will be live in Greenfield for the Greenfield-Central Holiday Tournament on January 2nd, as the Millers will tangle with the highly-touted Spartans at around 3:15 p.m. Myself (Craig Adkins) and Perry Williams will have the call for all three Noblesville games at Greenfield-Central.
Until then...
GO MILLERS!
(*all photos courtesy of Kent Graham at kentgraham.photoshelter.com)
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Smooth efforted #4 Millers rout Anderson 92-50, now 10-0
It wasn't a surprise that Anderson would try to play an up tempo, fast paced game when the Noblesville Millers came to town. That obviously isn't a good idea.
Head Coach Donna Keck's experienced team is built to play in that style and when a sloppy output by Anderson met up with the finesse of Keck's Millers, the result spoke for itself as Noblesville dominated from the start and sprinted past the home standing Indians, 92-50.
With an average winning margin of 29.2 points per game through 10 games played, Noblesville has jumped out to 10-0 on the season and has already overcome obstacles that many teams would have just packed up their belongings and left. The previous two games were probably the Millers' biggest tests thus far.
On Saturday, December 6 at North Central, Noblesville found themselves challenged through three quarters and found a way to bust it open with a pair of Kayleigh Herron treys and eventually pull away for a 17-point 72-55 win.
This past Friday, December 12, at Fishers they were controlled by the Tigers' speedy guard play of Adrianna Murphy and Brooke Sugg in a slow tempo, low-scoring affair. A three by Brooke Herron early in the fourth and 13 points from Alexis Shannon in the quarter sparked the Millers to a come from behind 45-33 win.
It's hard to put into words what this group is made of and what drives them. From what we've seen a few times in ten games, adversity makes them play better. When they find themselves down or their lead being threatened, it only fuels their fire inside to play better.
Tuesday night wasn't really any different, in a way. It was an opportunity to get out any kinks that had been brought to the surface in the North Central and Fishers games, correct them and make them that much better for this big middle stretch of the season.
4A #4 Noblesville 92, Anderson 50 - (Tues. Dec. 16 at Anderson)
Millers 27 21 26 18 - 92
Indians 14 5 19 12 - 50
Anderson was comfortable on their home floor, but in all reality, they were pretty nervous to face an undefeated team. Experience mixed with inexperience has only equaled just one win this season for Indians head coach Chad Cook. That's a far cry from a 19-5 team that is coming off a Sectional championship this past season and almost knocked off eventual state runner-up Lawrence North (56-54) in the Regional.
Getting things back on track and what they're used to doing is probably the mindset that Noblesville had coming into their Tuesday night road game at Anderson. The Millers were able to do that and much more as they scored at-will with the Indians turning the ball over at a pretty consistent rate.
It wasn't the easiest to slice and dice through Anderson's defense, but in the result of 8 of the Indians' 29 turnovers happening in the first, Alexis Shannon was able to score 9 of her game-high 25. Becca Bergman added 5 of her 8 and she and Shannon combined to equal the output of Anderson and take a 27-14 lead to the second quarter.
Consistent play and making Anderson work was key for the Millers in expanding their lead at the half to 48-19 and holding the Indians in the 2nd, 21-5.
Alexis continued her scoring in the third, but brought along her junior classmate in Katelyn O'Reilly, as they combined for 18 of Noblesville's 26 to just about double up Anderson through three, 74-38.
Most of the fourth was a time where Keck and her staff were at ease, as they were able to play their bench for the remainder of the game and put things in cruise control as they ran away with a 92-50 road victory.
Anderson (1-9) was only able to get Kenigia Hamilton into double-figures with 12. Freshman Antaria Hammond started and added 8 points, Dabriona Williams (7) and Pearson Newsom (6) chipped in solid efforts off of the Indians bench. The Indians hit the road on Saturday afternoon for their next game, as they'll battle Muncie Central (5-4) at the Muncie Fieldhouse and have the tough task of trying to stop all-state candidate Jayla Scaife (23.0 ppg).
Noblesville (10-0) was led by their leading scorer Alexis Shannon with 25, along with 8 rebounds. Katelyn O'Reilly had 17 points and 7 boards to go with 2 assists and 3 steals. Brooke Herron notched her first double-digit game with 11 points and dished out 5 assists.
Bergman continued her defensive prowess with 4 steals, but unfortunately was hampered with her 4th foul early in the third. The 5'4 senior wound up with 8 points and 3 assists.
Audrey DeFoe came off the bench in the second half and worked her tail off to score 8 points, grab 3 rebounds and passed out 2 assists. She also found her three-point touch back, knocking down a trey each in the third and fourth.
Erin Wood (5 rebounds) and Emily Kiser each scored 5, while Kayleigh Herron and Haley Conway pitched in 4 apiece.
In a game like this, the coaching staff gets to see factors that will help out as the season progresses. Rachel Shipman made her presence known in the Miller backcourt when Bergman got into foul trouble by playing the point guard role and was the assister on 7 second half field goals. Cori Cain is usually known for what she does on the defensive end of the court, but last night she was also credited with 5 assists.
It's the little things that this Noblesville team does that turns their slight adversities into victories. That is something that will carry them a long way.
The Millers' next game is at home after spending the last 3 on the road. They'll welcome in Hoosier Crossroads Conference foe Westfield (6-3, 1-1 HCC) to The Mill for an afternoon game. The JV will tip at Noon with the varsity to follow around 1:45.
Head to nhsmillers.com for the radio broadcast from Anderson as myself (Craig Adkins) and Perry Williams had the call! Join Perry as he will be live on hamiltoncountytv.com for the broadcast Saturday afternoon vs. Westfield!
GO MILLERS!
Head Coach Donna Keck's experienced team is built to play in that style and when a sloppy output by Anderson met up with the finesse of Keck's Millers, the result spoke for itself as Noblesville dominated from the start and sprinted past the home standing Indians, 92-50.
With an average winning margin of 29.2 points per game through 10 games played, Noblesville has jumped out to 10-0 on the season and has already overcome obstacles that many teams would have just packed up their belongings and left. The previous two games were probably the Millers' biggest tests thus far.
On Saturday, December 6 at North Central, Noblesville found themselves challenged through three quarters and found a way to bust it open with a pair of Kayleigh Herron treys and eventually pull away for a 17-point 72-55 win.
This past Friday, December 12, at Fishers they were controlled by the Tigers' speedy guard play of Adrianna Murphy and Brooke Sugg in a slow tempo, low-scoring affair. A three by Brooke Herron early in the fourth and 13 points from Alexis Shannon in the quarter sparked the Millers to a come from behind 45-33 win.
It's hard to put into words what this group is made of and what drives them. From what we've seen a few times in ten games, adversity makes them play better. When they find themselves down or their lead being threatened, it only fuels their fire inside to play better.
Tuesday night wasn't really any different, in a way. It was an opportunity to get out any kinks that had been brought to the surface in the North Central and Fishers games, correct them and make them that much better for this big middle stretch of the season.
4A #4 Noblesville 92, Anderson 50 - (Tues. Dec. 16 at Anderson)
Millers 27 21 26 18 - 92
Indians 14 5 19 12 - 50
Anderson was comfortable on their home floor, but in all reality, they were pretty nervous to face an undefeated team. Experience mixed with inexperience has only equaled just one win this season for Indians head coach Chad Cook. That's a far cry from a 19-5 team that is coming off a Sectional championship this past season and almost knocked off eventual state runner-up Lawrence North (56-54) in the Regional.
Getting things back on track and what they're used to doing is probably the mindset that Noblesville had coming into their Tuesday night road game at Anderson. The Millers were able to do that and much more as they scored at-will with the Indians turning the ball over at a pretty consistent rate.
It wasn't the easiest to slice and dice through Anderson's defense, but in the result of 8 of the Indians' 29 turnovers happening in the first, Alexis Shannon was able to score 9 of her game-high 25. Becca Bergman added 5 of her 8 and she and Shannon combined to equal the output of Anderson and take a 27-14 lead to the second quarter.
Consistent play and making Anderson work was key for the Millers in expanding their lead at the half to 48-19 and holding the Indians in the 2nd, 21-5.
Alexis continued her scoring in the third, but brought along her junior classmate in Katelyn O'Reilly, as they combined for 18 of Noblesville's 26 to just about double up Anderson through three, 74-38.
Most of the fourth was a time where Keck and her staff were at ease, as they were able to play their bench for the remainder of the game and put things in cruise control as they ran away with a 92-50 road victory.
Anderson (1-9) was only able to get Kenigia Hamilton into double-figures with 12. Freshman Antaria Hammond started and added 8 points, Dabriona Williams (7) and Pearson Newsom (6) chipped in solid efforts off of the Indians bench. The Indians hit the road on Saturday afternoon for their next game, as they'll battle Muncie Central (5-4) at the Muncie Fieldhouse and have the tough task of trying to stop all-state candidate Jayla Scaife (23.0 ppg).
Noblesville (10-0) was led by their leading scorer Alexis Shannon with 25, along with 8 rebounds. Katelyn O'Reilly had 17 points and 7 boards to go with 2 assists and 3 steals. Brooke Herron notched her first double-digit game with 11 points and dished out 5 assists.
Bergman continued her defensive prowess with 4 steals, but unfortunately was hampered with her 4th foul early in the third. The 5'4 senior wound up with 8 points and 3 assists.
Audrey DeFoe came off the bench in the second half and worked her tail off to score 8 points, grab 3 rebounds and passed out 2 assists. She also found her three-point touch back, knocking down a trey each in the third and fourth.
Erin Wood (5 rebounds) and Emily Kiser each scored 5, while Kayleigh Herron and Haley Conway pitched in 4 apiece.
In a game like this, the coaching staff gets to see factors that will help out as the season progresses. Rachel Shipman made her presence known in the Miller backcourt when Bergman got into foul trouble by playing the point guard role and was the assister on 7 second half field goals. Cori Cain is usually known for what she does on the defensive end of the court, but last night she was also credited with 5 assists.
It's the little things that this Noblesville team does that turns their slight adversities into victories. That is something that will carry them a long way.
The Millers' next game is at home after spending the last 3 on the road. They'll welcome in Hoosier Crossroads Conference foe Westfield (6-3, 1-1 HCC) to The Mill for an afternoon game. The JV will tip at Noon with the varsity to follow around 1:45.
Head to nhsmillers.com for the radio broadcast from Anderson as myself (Craig Adkins) and Perry Williams had the call! Join Perry as he will be live on hamiltoncountytv.com for the broadcast Saturday afternoon vs. Westfield!
GO MILLERS!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Miller boys out to 3-1 start, look to improve
For the first time in 20 seasons, Noblesville boys basketball has a new head coach pacing the sidelines. A coaching change in the off-season has brought aboard the young talents of former Kokomo head coach Brian McCauley, replacing of future Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer Dave McCollough.
While the head man at Kokomo, McCauley led the storied Wildkats to a 130-58 overall record. He coached them to 5 sectional, 1 regional, 1 semi-state titles and then became the 2011 4A State Runners-Up.
McCauley brings a lot of newness to the Noblesville basketball program, including Varsity assistant coaches Tony Wilhelm, Austin Leisure and Freshman head coach Jesse McClung. Assistant coaches Kent Mills, BJ Kite, JV head coach Stephen Clark, as well as freshman assistant coach Matt Pogue has been promoted from coaching the 8th grade at Noblesville East.
A senior laden starting lineup for the 2014-15 season deals McCauley a good hand in his first season at the helm. The trio of Sean Wilson, David Cory and Jake Mills start at guard for a tremendous amount of varsity experience between the three. 6'5 John Kiser is the lone junior in the starting lineup and returns along with a fourth senior in 6'4 Joey Brewer.
Off the Millers bench, things get picky and choosey depending on the particular situation that Noblesville is faced with. Sophomore McGwire Plumer has quickly grown into the 6th man for McCauley and has earned his much-deserved minutes on the floor. Seniors Josh Gentry and Joey Herron have seen ample time on the court and provided great defensive efforts thus far in four games. Brady Resch and Brandon Barthel both have come off the bench minimally, but playing time could increase to give the Millers depth as the season wears on.
Noblesville 71, Indianapolis Northwest 36 - (Wed. Nov. 26 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Northwest 6 11 2 17 - 36
Noblesville 17 18 21 15 - 71
This one was over as soon as it started really. The visiting Northwest Space Pioneers were completely overmatched in the season opener on Thanksgiving Eve at The Mill in Noblesville.
The Millers were just that much quicker and better prepared to open the season than was Northwest.
Jake Mills and John Kiser each put up 6 in the first and led the Millers the rest of the way. Noblesville took a 17-6 lead into the second and doubled up the Space Pioneers 35-17 at the half to make their presence known right away.
Noblesville outscored Northwest 36-19 in the second half to run away with a 71-36 home victory to start the season off in the right direction.
Mills was unconscious from three-point range, nailing 6-of-8 attempts from outside the arc, along with a pair of two-point jumpers for a game-high 22 points. Kiser converted on six field goals, including a dunk for 13 points and 6 rebounds.
McGwire Plumer's 8 points and 7 assists off the bench were a great spark, along with Sean Wilson (7), Joey Brewer (7), David Cory (6), Brandon Barthel (6) and Christian Johnson (2) making up the rest of the Millers' points.
Noblesville 65, Indianapolis Howe 55 - (Sat. Nov. 29 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Hornets 13 16 14 12 - 55
Millers 19 14 18 14 - 65
Noblesville knew they would have much more of a test against the 2A then-ranked #4 Howe Hornets, than they did to open vs. Northwest. The Millers had their work cut out for them with highly-touted guards Harris Brown (39) and Brian Warren (38) combined for 77 of Howe's 93 points in a season-opening loss at Henry Ford HS in Detroit, Michigan on Thanksgiving Eve, 98-93.
Brown, a pre-season Indiana all-state candidate wouldn't have it easy to try and upset the Millers on their home court, as he was being hounded by the defensive prowess of senior guard David Cory.
Jake Mills picked up right from where he left off with his perimeter game. He managed to escape Howe's defensive pressure and find his way around screens to catch and knock down another five 3-pointers to lead all scorers with a game-high in points with 20 for the second game in a row.
It was a closer game than Noblesville would have liked, but they expected a much more competitive game from Howe with the style of play that they bring to the table.
Howe kept it tight throughout the first half, no matter what Noblesville put on the scoreboard, the Hornets had something to bring back to keep within reach of the Millers all night long.
Leading 19-13 after one and 33-29 at halftime, there were definitely questions from McCauley and his staff at the break to keep Howe from chipping away at any second half lead that the Millers would extend.
Noblesville doubled their halftime lead at the end of the 3rd to eight for a 51-43 advantage through three, but obviously Howe wasn't going to go away quietly.
It took steady play from the experienced lineup of the Millers to keep Howe from coming from behind to make the game closer than it wound up being.
With all eyes on Noblesville's shooters of Mills and Wilson in the second half, that left them with the options of Brewer and Kiser to make things happen offensively. Brewer was able to surprise Howe and drill a three-point basket in each of the four quarters.
The Millers got a scare late in the 4th with Howe making moves to get close when Brian Warren and Dreon Lewis got together for 10 of the Hornets' 12 in the final frame, but it wasn't enough as Noblesville moved to 2-0 with a 65-55 win.
Mills' 20 paced all, but he was complimented by a few of his teammates doing their part. John Kiser had another great outing with 17 on six field goals and 5-for-6 at the foul line. Joey Brewer drilled four treys and a pair of free throws for his 14 points and Sean Wilson swished a two 3's of his own and three from the foul stripe for 9.
Harris Brown led Howe with 17 and Brian Warren with 14, far below their output (77) in the opener at Henry Ford.
Fishers 55, Noblesville 42 - (Fri. Dec. 5 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Tigers 14 7 9 25 - 55
Millers 4 12 12 14 - 42
It's never too early to see what a team is made of in conference play. Not saying that the conference opener is simply a measuring stick for how the rest of the HCC slate will go, but it either gets you off on the right foot or it puts you in a slight hole, especially with 3 less conference opponents to play. That equals that much less room for errors in conference games and virtually no room for losses if you consider yourself as vying for a conference championship.
Out of the gates last Friday, December 5, Fishers was more than ready to start HCC play, after getting battered by Pike on the road a few nights prior by a 108-74 score.
The Tigers jumped out early and often in the first for a 14-4 first quarter lead to stun Noblesville. But, something must have been hammered down in the huddle between quarters, because it worked to cut into the Fishers lead and trail just 21-16 at half, taking the 2nd 12-7.
Fishers accomplished one big thing for 32 minutes and that was to completely shut down the scoring of Jake Mills, who put up a total of 42 points in the Millers' first two games. Guarded by Zach Eaton, Mills was held to just two fourth quarter free throws for 2 points.
That forced others to step up and score in his place, like fellow guard David Cory and the usual scorer in John Kiser.
Noblesville cut even further into the Fishers lead through three, as they outmuscled the Tigers 12-9, but were still down 30-28.
Nothing like that being the fuel to the fire for Keegan Kollmeyer. The 6'2 senior guard poured in 14 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth. His scoring wasn't really Kollmeyer's biggest plus for Joe Leonard's squad. He had his hands in on many defensive stops of the Millers down the stretch, resulting in Keegan sinking 8-of-9 free throws to help put away Noblesville in the final minutes, 55-42.
Lance Dollison and Cameron Wolter each netted 11 to join Kollmeyer (26) in double-figures for 48 of the Tigers' 55.
Noblesville was led by John Kiser's 16 points and David Cory also hit double-digits with 10 on four field goals. Sean Wilson added 5, while Plumer, Brewer and Herron each made a three to chip in.
The Millers will get an opportunity to even their HCC mark on Friday, December 19 at Westfield.
Noblesville 40, Peru 29 - (Sat. Dec. 13 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Tigers 0 14 8 7 - 29
Millers 8 3 17 12 - 40
The Millers had an 8 day off stretch before Saturday night's home game vs. the Peru Tigers. As a player and/or coach, that's definitely not something you really want after a tough 13-point loss at home in conference play to Fishers. But, that's when you get back to the drawing board and figure out what you do best and find a way to excel at it.
Peru is a pretty feisty 3A team that will look to make some noise in the Mid-Indiana Conference this season, as well as in the 3A state tournament when March rolls around.
On Saturday night, they had the tough task heading south on US 31 about 90 minutes and matching up with Noblesville.
Noblesville was looking to bounce back from their loss to Fishers and hoped to take it out on Peru. They got their point across right away, taking an 8-0 lead thru one quarter, completely throwing the Tigers off their game plan.
Coach Metcalfe's Tigers didn't get on the board until 5:57 left in the first half when Logan Primerano made two of three free throws. Down 8-2, Peru went on a run to close the gap at 10-9 to force Noblesville to burn a timeout. A free throw by 7'0 center and Belmont recruit Seth Adelsperger tied the game at 10-10. Adelsperger gave the Tigers their first lead at 12-10.
The Millers got a free throw from Kiser to trail 12-11. Primerano got a steal on Noblesville's next possession down and dunked for his lone field goal and the Peru Tigers were up three at half 14-11.
The third was a back and forth style. Noblesville regained the edge at 18-16 when Kiser found Sean Wilson for a three.
Peru tied it again at 20 and 22. Jake Mills made 1-of-2 at the free throw line for a 23-22 lead that the Millers wouldn't let Peru take back. Wilson swished another three from the right wing for six straight points and a 26-22 lead.
Noblesville stretched things out the rest of the way, outscoring Peru 14-7 from the middle of the third until the final horn sounded for a 40-29 Miller win.
Adelsperger led the Tigers with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, while Michael Richardson (6), Tyler Murphy (6) and Logan Primerano (5) helped produce the remainder as Peru fell to 1-3 on the young season. They dropped both games on the weekend, losing a tough battle to Plymouth on Friday night, 51-43.
Noblesville (3-1) righted the ship for their third win in four tries under 1st year head coach Brian McCauley.
The Millers were led by a pair of 14-point scorers in Jake Mills and John Kiser, who also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.
Noblesville (3-1, 0-1 HCC) gets back to Hoosier Crossroads play when they hit the road at a struggling Westfield (1-4, 0-1 HCC). The Shamrocks dropped a tough one in overtime on Saturday vs. New Palestine, 92-87, for their fourth consecutive loss after opening the season with an overtime win at Plainfield, 72-68.
Friday night's game at Westfield will be live on the NHS Sports Channel on HamiltonCountyTV.com. Craig Adkins (myself ) will have the play-by-play and Perry Williams will have the color commentary. We'll also be live on the NHS Sports Channel on HamiltonCountyTV.com on Saturday night, Dec. 20 when the boys host Hamilton Heights.
Currently, all four Noblesville games can be seen at nhsmillers.com On Demand!
GO MILLERS!
While the head man at Kokomo, McCauley led the storied Wildkats to a 130-58 overall record. He coached them to 5 sectional, 1 regional, 1 semi-state titles and then became the 2011 4A State Runners-Up.
McCauley brings a lot of newness to the Noblesville basketball program, including Varsity assistant coaches Tony Wilhelm, Austin Leisure and Freshman head coach Jesse McClung. Assistant coaches Kent Mills, BJ Kite, JV head coach Stephen Clark, as well as freshman assistant coach Matt Pogue has been promoted from coaching the 8th grade at Noblesville East.
A senior laden starting lineup for the 2014-15 season deals McCauley a good hand in his first season at the helm. The trio of Sean Wilson, David Cory and Jake Mills start at guard for a tremendous amount of varsity experience between the three. 6'5 John Kiser is the lone junior in the starting lineup and returns along with a fourth senior in 6'4 Joey Brewer.
Off the Millers bench, things get picky and choosey depending on the particular situation that Noblesville is faced with. Sophomore McGwire Plumer has quickly grown into the 6th man for McCauley and has earned his much-deserved minutes on the floor. Seniors Josh Gentry and Joey Herron have seen ample time on the court and provided great defensive efforts thus far in four games. Brady Resch and Brandon Barthel both have come off the bench minimally, but playing time could increase to give the Millers depth as the season wears on.
Noblesville 71, Indianapolis Northwest 36 - (Wed. Nov. 26 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Northwest 6 11 2 17 - 36
Noblesville 17 18 21 15 - 71
This one was over as soon as it started really. The visiting Northwest Space Pioneers were completely overmatched in the season opener on Thanksgiving Eve at The Mill in Noblesville.
The Millers were just that much quicker and better prepared to open the season than was Northwest.
Jake Mills and John Kiser each put up 6 in the first and led the Millers the rest of the way. Noblesville took a 17-6 lead into the second and doubled up the Space Pioneers 35-17 at the half to make their presence known right away.
Noblesville outscored Northwest 36-19 in the second half to run away with a 71-36 home victory to start the season off in the right direction.
Mills was unconscious from three-point range, nailing 6-of-8 attempts from outside the arc, along with a pair of two-point jumpers for a game-high 22 points. Kiser converted on six field goals, including a dunk for 13 points and 6 rebounds.
McGwire Plumer's 8 points and 7 assists off the bench were a great spark, along with Sean Wilson (7), Joey Brewer (7), David Cory (6), Brandon Barthel (6) and Christian Johnson (2) making up the rest of the Millers' points.
Noblesville 65, Indianapolis Howe 55 - (Sat. Nov. 29 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Hornets 13 16 14 12 - 55
Millers 19 14 18 14 - 65
Noblesville knew they would have much more of a test against the 2A then-ranked #4 Howe Hornets, than they did to open vs. Northwest. The Millers had their work cut out for them with highly-touted guards Harris Brown (39) and Brian Warren (38) combined for 77 of Howe's 93 points in a season-opening loss at Henry Ford HS in Detroit, Michigan on Thanksgiving Eve, 98-93.
Brown, a pre-season Indiana all-state candidate wouldn't have it easy to try and upset the Millers on their home court, as he was being hounded by the defensive prowess of senior guard David Cory.
Jake Mills picked up right from where he left off with his perimeter game. He managed to escape Howe's defensive pressure and find his way around screens to catch and knock down another five 3-pointers to lead all scorers with a game-high in points with 20 for the second game in a row.
It was a closer game than Noblesville would have liked, but they expected a much more competitive game from Howe with the style of play that they bring to the table.
Howe kept it tight throughout the first half, no matter what Noblesville put on the scoreboard, the Hornets had something to bring back to keep within reach of the Millers all night long.
Leading 19-13 after one and 33-29 at halftime, there were definitely questions from McCauley and his staff at the break to keep Howe from chipping away at any second half lead that the Millers would extend.
Noblesville doubled their halftime lead at the end of the 3rd to eight for a 51-43 advantage through three, but obviously Howe wasn't going to go away quietly.
It took steady play from the experienced lineup of the Millers to keep Howe from coming from behind to make the game closer than it wound up being.
With all eyes on Noblesville's shooters of Mills and Wilson in the second half, that left them with the options of Brewer and Kiser to make things happen offensively. Brewer was able to surprise Howe and drill a three-point basket in each of the four quarters.
The Millers got a scare late in the 4th with Howe making moves to get close when Brian Warren and Dreon Lewis got together for 10 of the Hornets' 12 in the final frame, but it wasn't enough as Noblesville moved to 2-0 with a 65-55 win.
Mills' 20 paced all, but he was complimented by a few of his teammates doing their part. John Kiser had another great outing with 17 on six field goals and 5-for-6 at the foul line. Joey Brewer drilled four treys and a pair of free throws for his 14 points and Sean Wilson swished a two 3's of his own and three from the foul stripe for 9.
Harris Brown led Howe with 17 and Brian Warren with 14, far below their output (77) in the opener at Henry Ford.
Fishers 55, Noblesville 42 - (Fri. Dec. 5 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Tigers 14 7 9 25 - 55
Millers 4 12 12 14 - 42
It's never too early to see what a team is made of in conference play. Not saying that the conference opener is simply a measuring stick for how the rest of the HCC slate will go, but it either gets you off on the right foot or it puts you in a slight hole, especially with 3 less conference opponents to play. That equals that much less room for errors in conference games and virtually no room for losses if you consider yourself as vying for a conference championship.
Out of the gates last Friday, December 5, Fishers was more than ready to start HCC play, after getting battered by Pike on the road a few nights prior by a 108-74 score.
The Tigers jumped out early and often in the first for a 14-4 first quarter lead to stun Noblesville. But, something must have been hammered down in the huddle between quarters, because it worked to cut into the Fishers lead and trail just 21-16 at half, taking the 2nd 12-7.
Fishers accomplished one big thing for 32 minutes and that was to completely shut down the scoring of Jake Mills, who put up a total of 42 points in the Millers' first two games. Guarded by Zach Eaton, Mills was held to just two fourth quarter free throws for 2 points.
That forced others to step up and score in his place, like fellow guard David Cory and the usual scorer in John Kiser.
Noblesville cut even further into the Fishers lead through three, as they outmuscled the Tigers 12-9, but were still down 30-28.
Nothing like that being the fuel to the fire for Keegan Kollmeyer. The 6'2 senior guard poured in 14 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth. His scoring wasn't really Kollmeyer's biggest plus for Joe Leonard's squad. He had his hands in on many defensive stops of the Millers down the stretch, resulting in Keegan sinking 8-of-9 free throws to help put away Noblesville in the final minutes, 55-42.
Lance Dollison and Cameron Wolter each netted 11 to join Kollmeyer (26) in double-figures for 48 of the Tigers' 55.
Noblesville was led by John Kiser's 16 points and David Cory also hit double-digits with 10 on four field goals. Sean Wilson added 5, while Plumer, Brewer and Herron each made a three to chip in.
The Millers will get an opportunity to even their HCC mark on Friday, December 19 at Westfield.
Noblesville 40, Peru 29 - (Sat. Dec. 13 at The Mill, Noblesville)
Tigers 0 14 8 7 - 29
Millers 8 3 17 12 - 40
The Millers had an 8 day off stretch before Saturday night's home game vs. the Peru Tigers. As a player and/or coach, that's definitely not something you really want after a tough 13-point loss at home in conference play to Fishers. But, that's when you get back to the drawing board and figure out what you do best and find a way to excel at it.
Peru is a pretty feisty 3A team that will look to make some noise in the Mid-Indiana Conference this season, as well as in the 3A state tournament when March rolls around.
On Saturday night, they had the tough task heading south on US 31 about 90 minutes and matching up with Noblesville.
Noblesville was looking to bounce back from their loss to Fishers and hoped to take it out on Peru. They got their point across right away, taking an 8-0 lead thru one quarter, completely throwing the Tigers off their game plan.
Coach Metcalfe's Tigers didn't get on the board until 5:57 left in the first half when Logan Primerano made two of three free throws. Down 8-2, Peru went on a run to close the gap at 10-9 to force Noblesville to burn a timeout. A free throw by 7'0 center and Belmont recruit Seth Adelsperger tied the game at 10-10. Adelsperger gave the Tigers their first lead at 12-10.
The Millers got a free throw from Kiser to trail 12-11. Primerano got a steal on Noblesville's next possession down and dunked for his lone field goal and the Peru Tigers were up three at half 14-11.
The third was a back and forth style. Noblesville regained the edge at 18-16 when Kiser found Sean Wilson for a three.
Peru tied it again at 20 and 22. Jake Mills made 1-of-2 at the free throw line for a 23-22 lead that the Millers wouldn't let Peru take back. Wilson swished another three from the right wing for six straight points and a 26-22 lead.
Noblesville stretched things out the rest of the way, outscoring Peru 14-7 from the middle of the third until the final horn sounded for a 40-29 Miller win.
Adelsperger led the Tigers with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, while Michael Richardson (6), Tyler Murphy (6) and Logan Primerano (5) helped produce the remainder as Peru fell to 1-3 on the young season. They dropped both games on the weekend, losing a tough battle to Plymouth on Friday night, 51-43.
Noblesville (3-1) righted the ship for their third win in four tries under 1st year head coach Brian McCauley.
The Millers were led by a pair of 14-point scorers in Jake Mills and John Kiser, who also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.
Noblesville (3-1, 0-1 HCC) gets back to Hoosier Crossroads play when they hit the road at a struggling Westfield (1-4, 0-1 HCC). The Shamrocks dropped a tough one in overtime on Saturday vs. New Palestine, 92-87, for their fourth consecutive loss after opening the season with an overtime win at Plainfield, 72-68.
Friday night's game at Westfield will be live on the NHS Sports Channel on HamiltonCountyTV.com. Craig Adkins (myself ) will have the play-by-play and Perry Williams will have the color commentary. We'll also be live on the NHS Sports Channel on HamiltonCountyTV.com on Saturday night, Dec. 20 when the boys host Hamilton Heights.
Currently, all four Noblesville games can be seen at nhsmillers.com On Demand!
GO MILLERS!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
#5 Millers burst out in 4th, outlasts Fishers 45-33
Being labeled as probably the best matchup in the state of Indiana on Friday night, it was bound to attract all sorts of basketball fans from around the area and the whole state for that matter.
The Noblesville Girls Basketball Club made their presence known in the bleachers behind the north basket with signs and a nice full section donning the black and gold of their mentors on the court.
Getting so much attention in a highly touted game, it attracted attention of one of the other undefeated teams in the state. Center Grove JV head coach Kara Sobucki, a former co-worker of mine, was in attendance scouting Noblesville, but in a conference like the HCC, obviously Fishers had her attention also. #4 Center Grove (8-0) travels down to #1 Bedford North Lawrence (9-0) this afternoon for a big early afternoon showdown of two of the state's top teams.
Back to Noblesville-Fishers. Friday night, it was as it always is with these two Hoosier Crossroads Conference schools. In recent years, each school has hosted a silent auction in the lobby to the gym that includes different gift cards to local restaurants, tickets to Indianapolis Colts and Butler men's basketball games and many other great items to bid on. All of the proceeds go directly toward the research of cancer in hopes to someday soon find a cure for the dreaded disease.
Coaches vs. Cancer gives the teams and communities to come together for a cause so great that has affected all of us in some sort of way. It feels great to even put in a bid or toss money in the purple buckets that were passed around. Noblesville's varsity and jv sported pink uniforms with black letters and numbers to do their part.
4A #5 Noblesville 45, 4A #11 Fishers 33 (Friday, Dec. 12 at Fishers)
Millers 6 7 7 25 - 45
Tigers 11 4 7 11 - 33
From the opening tip, Fishers had the mindset that they were going to completely take Noblesville out of its normal fluid, high-scoring offense. And that's exactly what happened for 24 minutes.
They may have one of the quickest guards with Adrianna Murphy at point, but sometimes some things just around in the cards, even if you're the home team on the scoreboard.
Murphy, Kara Gerka and Brooke Sugg came into the game combining for an average of 39.7 of the Tigers' 51.6 points per game. They knew it would be up to them to take down the Noblesville Millers with their extremely potent offense that puts up 81.4 a contest and gives up just 51.6.
The Tigers' game plan worked and had Noblesville on its heels for quite a while on Friday night, but as the game kept moving, it had the feel that the Millers would work their magic once again.
Fishers got their point across quick in the first, with Murphy (5) and Gerka (4) putting up a majority of their 11 to take an 11-6 lead into the second.
A trey by Becca Bergman woke the offense up and at halftime the Millers trailed just 15-13 and outscored the Tigers 7-4 in the 2nd.
Alexis Shannon slowly, but surely took the game over on the offensive end, netting seven of her 23 in the third. Noblesville spent a lot of time diving on the floor for loose balls in the second half and it paid off.
Noblesville fought back to trail by two after three, 22-20, but the big factor was that it was obvious that the Millers were starting to wear out the Tigers.
Just as last Saturday at North Central, something happened mentally and a switch was literally flipped.
The Millers started fast in the fourth and before we knew it, Alexis Shannon was fast down the court for a layup, tying the game at 22. The junior guard converted the shot and was fouled and made the free throw for the old-fashioned 3-point play a 23-22 lead, Noblesville's first of the game.
The lead was extended to 25-22 and Fishers cut it to 25-24 and took the lead back on a Kara Gerka bucket, 26-25.
Brooke Herron swished a three from the right wing for a 28-26 Miller lead and things got shifted into high gear.
Fishers tied it up at 28-28 with an easy two off the glass from Hannah Kroehler.
A steal by Bergman and up the court went Alexis Shannon for a basket and a 30-28 lead that the Millers would never give back. That started 8 points in a row from the speedy guard, as she scored 13 of her game-high 23 points to help Noblesville burst past Fishers in the 4th for a 45-33 road victory.
The loss for Fishers drops them to 7-2 on the season and 2-1 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play. The Tigers were led in scoring by a pair of starters with Kara Gerka and Adrianna Murphy both winding up with 11. Hannah Kroehler (6) and Brooke Sugg (5) were the others contributing for Fishers.
Noblesville (9-0, 3-0 HCC) continues its winning ways with its leading scorer, Alexis Shannon pacing them with 23 points and 4 rebounds, while hitting 7 of 16 from the floor and sinking 9 of her 11 attempts at the charity stripe.
Fishers was able to take 2nd leading scorer Katelyn O'Reilly out of her style of game a little bit. She wasn't able to dominate the paint like she usually does and was charged with 4 personal fouls, but still managed to get 8 points and 5 rebounds.
Becca Bergman, Brooke Herron, Cori Cain and Kayleigh Herron put together the remaining 14 points for the Millers.
The Tigers didn't get the foul calls they had hoped for and were only 7-for-11 at the foul line, while Noblesville was 19-of-23 (82.6%) and 10-for-11 in the 4th quarter to help seal the victory. Anytime that you can make eight more free throws that your opponent attempts, that usually results in a win, as it did Friday night for the Millers.
Next up for Noblesville (9-0) is a road trip north to Anderson (1-8) on Tuesday night December 16, where they'll face the Indians. Anderson also played last night, losing to Richmond 66-59.
Tuesday night's game at Anderson, played at the old Madison Heights High School gym, will be available live on HamiltonCountyTV.com. Craig Adkins (myself) will have the play-by-play, along with color analyst Perry Williams.
Until Tuesday...
GO MILLERS!
The Noblesville Girls Basketball Club made their presence known in the bleachers behind the north basket with signs and a nice full section donning the black and gold of their mentors on the court.
Getting so much attention in a highly touted game, it attracted attention of one of the other undefeated teams in the state. Center Grove JV head coach Kara Sobucki, a former co-worker of mine, was in attendance scouting Noblesville, but in a conference like the HCC, obviously Fishers had her attention also. #4 Center Grove (8-0) travels down to #1 Bedford North Lawrence (9-0) this afternoon for a big early afternoon showdown of two of the state's top teams.
Back to Noblesville-Fishers. Friday night, it was as it always is with these two Hoosier Crossroads Conference schools. In recent years, each school has hosted a silent auction in the lobby to the gym that includes different gift cards to local restaurants, tickets to Indianapolis Colts and Butler men's basketball games and many other great items to bid on. All of the proceeds go directly toward the research of cancer in hopes to someday soon find a cure for the dreaded disease.
Coaches vs. Cancer gives the teams and communities to come together for a cause so great that has affected all of us in some sort of way. It feels great to even put in a bid or toss money in the purple buckets that were passed around. Noblesville's varsity and jv sported pink uniforms with black letters and numbers to do their part.
4A #5 Noblesville 45, 4A #11 Fishers 33 (Friday, Dec. 12 at Fishers)
Millers 6 7 7 25 - 45
Tigers 11 4 7 11 - 33
From the opening tip, Fishers had the mindset that they were going to completely take Noblesville out of its normal fluid, high-scoring offense. And that's exactly what happened for 24 minutes.
They may have one of the quickest guards with Adrianna Murphy at point, but sometimes some things just around in the cards, even if you're the home team on the scoreboard.
Murphy, Kara Gerka and Brooke Sugg came into the game combining for an average of 39.7 of the Tigers' 51.6 points per game. They knew it would be up to them to take down the Noblesville Millers with their extremely potent offense that puts up 81.4 a contest and gives up just 51.6.
The Tigers' game plan worked and had Noblesville on its heels for quite a while on Friday night, but as the game kept moving, it had the feel that the Millers would work their magic once again.
Fishers got their point across quick in the first, with Murphy (5) and Gerka (4) putting up a majority of their 11 to take an 11-6 lead into the second.
A trey by Becca Bergman woke the offense up and at halftime the Millers trailed just 15-13 and outscored the Tigers 7-4 in the 2nd.
Alexis Shannon slowly, but surely took the game over on the offensive end, netting seven of her 23 in the third. Noblesville spent a lot of time diving on the floor for loose balls in the second half and it paid off.
Noblesville fought back to trail by two after three, 22-20, but the big factor was that it was obvious that the Millers were starting to wear out the Tigers.
Just as last Saturday at North Central, something happened mentally and a switch was literally flipped.
The Millers started fast in the fourth and before we knew it, Alexis Shannon was fast down the court for a layup, tying the game at 22. The junior guard converted the shot and was fouled and made the free throw for the old-fashioned 3-point play a 23-22 lead, Noblesville's first of the game.
The lead was extended to 25-22 and Fishers cut it to 25-24 and took the lead back on a Kara Gerka bucket, 26-25.
Brooke Herron swished a three from the right wing for a 28-26 Miller lead and things got shifted into high gear.
Fishers tied it up at 28-28 with an easy two off the glass from Hannah Kroehler.
A steal by Bergman and up the court went Alexis Shannon for a basket and a 30-28 lead that the Millers would never give back. That started 8 points in a row from the speedy guard, as she scored 13 of her game-high 23 points to help Noblesville burst past Fishers in the 4th for a 45-33 road victory.
The loss for Fishers drops them to 7-2 on the season and 2-1 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play. The Tigers were led in scoring by a pair of starters with Kara Gerka and Adrianna Murphy both winding up with 11. Hannah Kroehler (6) and Brooke Sugg (5) were the others contributing for Fishers.
Noblesville (9-0, 3-0 HCC) continues its winning ways with its leading scorer, Alexis Shannon pacing them with 23 points and 4 rebounds, while hitting 7 of 16 from the floor and sinking 9 of her 11 attempts at the charity stripe.
Fishers was able to take 2nd leading scorer Katelyn O'Reilly out of her style of game a little bit. She wasn't able to dominate the paint like she usually does and was charged with 4 personal fouls, but still managed to get 8 points and 5 rebounds.
Becca Bergman, Brooke Herron, Cori Cain and Kayleigh Herron put together the remaining 14 points for the Millers.
The Tigers didn't get the foul calls they had hoped for and were only 7-for-11 at the foul line, while Noblesville was 19-of-23 (82.6%) and 10-for-11 in the 4th quarter to help seal the victory. Anytime that you can make eight more free throws that your opponent attempts, that usually results in a win, as it did Friday night for the Millers.
Next up for Noblesville (9-0) is a road trip north to Anderson (1-8) on Tuesday night December 16, where they'll face the Indians. Anderson also played last night, losing to Richmond 66-59.
Tuesday night's game at Anderson, played at the old Madison Heights High School gym, will be available live on HamiltonCountyTV.com. Craig Adkins (myself) will have the play-by-play, along with color analyst Perry Williams.
Until Tuesday...
GO MILLERS!
Sunday, December 7, 2014
4A #5 Millers pull away in road test at North Central
The game was just about delayed because of Noblesville almost having to delay their departure. Just after 10 a.m. on Saturday, a small fire started in the boiler room, which is just south of The Mill. It isn't yet determined if there was any damage other than the boiler room, but the school was evacuated. That sent the Miller girls on their way to North Central once they got the go-ahead and the canceling of high school boys basketball practice.
It was anticipated to be a survival of the fittest battle from the get-go and it lived up to that and maybe a little bit more on Saturday afternoon. Noblesville faced a tough, speedy Carmel team two days before Thanksgiving and wound up with a 17-point road victory that night.
Oddly enough in Saturday's early afternoon tilt at North Central, it ended with the same result. The Millers got quite the scare from the host Panthers, but figured out ways to get to their quickness and pulled away in the 4th with a 17-point, 72-55 road win.
4A #5 Noblesville 72, North Central 55 - (Saturday, Dec. 6 at North Central)
Millers 12 14 21 25 - 72
Panthers 12 16 18 9 - 55
Anytime a team is undefeated, there is an obvious big target on their backs every time that they take to the court. It was pretty clear from North Central's standpoint that their sole intent was to knock Noblesville from the ranks of the unbeaten. After getting pummeled on the road at Pike 63-40 less than 24 hours prior, head coach DeeAnn Ramey's team was bound and determined to turn their weekend around.
Aside from Carmel, the Millers hadn't yet seen a team with a backcourt quite as speedy and crafty as North Central has. Just like Noblesville, the Panthers start three guards. The uncanny thing about it is that two of them are freshman and they definitely don't play like they're eight games into their high school basketball careers.
Adversity struck early, just as it did at Carmel. Usually, the Millers strike early and often in the first minute to ninety seconds, forcing the opponent to burn their first timeout. North Central didn't seem phased by what Noblesville brought.
Back and forth for the first few minutes, Noblesville tied it at 6 and regained the lead at 7-6 with Katelyn O'Reilly getting fouled, making the layup and free throw for the old-fashioned three-point play.
In a game that totaled 10 ties and 8 lead changes, it wasn't surprising at all how the first three quarters of this game panned out.
O'Reilly got the Millers back in front 12-10 momentarily, taking a pass from Becca Bergman and laying it in.
North Central scored just before the first quarter ended to tie the game at 12-12.
Both teams fought hard in the 2nd and the Panthers saw their biggest lead of 21-16 get narrowed down to leading the fifth-ranked Millers 28-26 at the half, something Noblesville hadn't faced this season.
Ajanae` Thomas came alive for North Central on the offensive end, scoring 6 of her 8 in the third by driving the baseline and fighting her way to the hoop for layups. It took Thomas taking that initiative to score, with junior center Symone Cathey on the bench for half of the game. Cathey got in foul trouble at Pike on Friday night and it was obvious that Ramey thought the same might happen against Noblesville.
Noblesville grabbed control of the game again to outscore the hosts 21-18 in the quarter, but also figured out the best way to spread the wealth to throw off North Central's defense.
Becca Bergman nailed a pair of open treys from the wing, Alexis Shannon added six, O'Reilly 5 and Emily Kiser 4 to combine for the Millers' 21 and get the Panthers to the point where it was evident that they were worn out from playing a back-to-back in less than 24 hours.
As exhausted as they were, North Central stuck right with Keck's crew through three, but Noblesville had now regained the lead 47-46 heading to the 4th.
Thomas wasn't done with her part of keeping the Millers honest. To start the fourth, the sophomore Thomas drove the lane once again and went up and over O'Reilly to shift the lead back to North Central 48-47. They had the lead after that at 51-49, but that was the turning point for Noblesville.
Kayleigh Herron found Bergman for a basket to cut NC's lead to that 51-49 score. After a defensive stop, Erin Wood was fouled on the other end, where she sank two from the charity stripe to tie it up for the 10th and final time at 51-51.
Early in the 4th, Herron let fly a three and swished it to put the Millers up 57-52. A few minutes later, she did it again, giving the Miller faithful something more to cheer about. Bergman also had 6 in the 4th, including 4-for-4 at the foul line. O'Reilly poured in 7 of her 25 in the fourth.
Noblesville did what they do best from that point on. It seemed like they flipped a switch on internally and outscored North Central 21-4 to end the game and pull away from the Panthers, 72-55.
Being down at points during a game just ignites this group and makes them play that much harder. A game like this will definitely get them prepared to face the Fishers Tigers (7-1, 2-0 HCC) this Friday night at Fishers.
North Central (4-4) dropped their second game in as many days in the loss to Noblesville. No Panther reached double-figures in scoring. They were led by freshman guard Ajah Stallings with 9. Kyra Taylor, Karen Shabazz, Ajanae` Thomas and Symone Cathey each pitched in with 8, while De`Shawna Harper added 7 and Taylor Ramey 5.
The Millers had three in double-digits, including Katelyn O'Reilly's 4th double-double in a row and 5th on the season with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds and not to mention 4 assists. Alexis Shannon (16) and Becca Bergman (12) did their part to help pace the Noblesville offensive attack.
Erin Wood had 6 points, 7 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals, despite being whistled for four personal fouls. Kayleigh Herron added 6 points on two 3's, along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Emily Kiser (4) and Brooke Herron (3) made up the rest of the Millers scoring.
Noblesville (8-0) hits the road this Friday and gets back into Hoosier Crossroads Conference play, visiting the Fishers Tigers.
A game like Saturday's was a great test to see what happens when this group gets rattled. Faced with adversity, they found ways to climb their way back into the lead and pull away throughout the fourth quarter.
On Friday night, be sure to join myself and Perry Williams for the call of Keck's Millers on the road at Fishers live on HamiltonCountyTV.com! We'll have the audio for you with the pre-game starting around 7:30.
GO MILLERS!
It was anticipated to be a survival of the fittest battle from the get-go and it lived up to that and maybe a little bit more on Saturday afternoon. Noblesville faced a tough, speedy Carmel team two days before Thanksgiving and wound up with a 17-point road victory that night.
Oddly enough in Saturday's early afternoon tilt at North Central, it ended with the same result. The Millers got quite the scare from the host Panthers, but figured out ways to get to their quickness and pulled away in the 4th with a 17-point, 72-55 road win.
4A #5 Noblesville 72, North Central 55 - (Saturday, Dec. 6 at North Central)
Millers 12 14 21 25 - 72
Panthers 12 16 18 9 - 55
Anytime a team is undefeated, there is an obvious big target on their backs every time that they take to the court. It was pretty clear from North Central's standpoint that their sole intent was to knock Noblesville from the ranks of the unbeaten. After getting pummeled on the road at Pike 63-40 less than 24 hours prior, head coach DeeAnn Ramey's team was bound and determined to turn their weekend around.
Aside from Carmel, the Millers hadn't yet seen a team with a backcourt quite as speedy and crafty as North Central has. Just like Noblesville, the Panthers start three guards. The uncanny thing about it is that two of them are freshman and they definitely don't play like they're eight games into their high school basketball careers.
Adversity struck early, just as it did at Carmel. Usually, the Millers strike early and often in the first minute to ninety seconds, forcing the opponent to burn their first timeout. North Central didn't seem phased by what Noblesville brought.
Back and forth for the first few minutes, Noblesville tied it at 6 and regained the lead at 7-6 with Katelyn O'Reilly getting fouled, making the layup and free throw for the old-fashioned three-point play.
In a game that totaled 10 ties and 8 lead changes, it wasn't surprising at all how the first three quarters of this game panned out.
O'Reilly got the Millers back in front 12-10 momentarily, taking a pass from Becca Bergman and laying it in.
North Central scored just before the first quarter ended to tie the game at 12-12.
Both teams fought hard in the 2nd and the Panthers saw their biggest lead of 21-16 get narrowed down to leading the fifth-ranked Millers 28-26 at the half, something Noblesville hadn't faced this season.
Ajanae` Thomas came alive for North Central on the offensive end, scoring 6 of her 8 in the third by driving the baseline and fighting her way to the hoop for layups. It took Thomas taking that initiative to score, with junior center Symone Cathey on the bench for half of the game. Cathey got in foul trouble at Pike on Friday night and it was obvious that Ramey thought the same might happen against Noblesville.
Noblesville grabbed control of the game again to outscore the hosts 21-18 in the quarter, but also figured out the best way to spread the wealth to throw off North Central's defense.
Becca Bergman nailed a pair of open treys from the wing, Alexis Shannon added six, O'Reilly 5 and Emily Kiser 4 to combine for the Millers' 21 and get the Panthers to the point where it was evident that they were worn out from playing a back-to-back in less than 24 hours.
As exhausted as they were, North Central stuck right with Keck's crew through three, but Noblesville had now regained the lead 47-46 heading to the 4th.
Thomas wasn't done with her part of keeping the Millers honest. To start the fourth, the sophomore Thomas drove the lane once again and went up and over O'Reilly to shift the lead back to North Central 48-47. They had the lead after that at 51-49, but that was the turning point for Noblesville.
Kayleigh Herron found Bergman for a basket to cut NC's lead to that 51-49 score. After a defensive stop, Erin Wood was fouled on the other end, where she sank two from the charity stripe to tie it up for the 10th and final time at 51-51.
Early in the 4th, Herron let fly a three and swished it to put the Millers up 57-52. A few minutes later, she did it again, giving the Miller faithful something more to cheer about. Bergman also had 6 in the 4th, including 4-for-4 at the foul line. O'Reilly poured in 7 of her 25 in the fourth.
Noblesville did what they do best from that point on. It seemed like they flipped a switch on internally and outscored North Central 21-4 to end the game and pull away from the Panthers, 72-55.
Being down at points during a game just ignites this group and makes them play that much harder. A game like this will definitely get them prepared to face the Fishers Tigers (7-1, 2-0 HCC) this Friday night at Fishers.
North Central (4-4) dropped their second game in as many days in the loss to Noblesville. No Panther reached double-figures in scoring. They were led by freshman guard Ajah Stallings with 9. Kyra Taylor, Karen Shabazz, Ajanae` Thomas and Symone Cathey each pitched in with 8, while De`Shawna Harper added 7 and Taylor Ramey 5.
The Millers had three in double-digits, including Katelyn O'Reilly's 4th double-double in a row and 5th on the season with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds and not to mention 4 assists. Alexis Shannon (16) and Becca Bergman (12) did their part to help pace the Noblesville offensive attack.
Erin Wood had 6 points, 7 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals, despite being whistled for four personal fouls. Kayleigh Herron added 6 points on two 3's, along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Emily Kiser (4) and Brooke Herron (3) made up the rest of the Millers scoring.
Noblesville (8-0) hits the road this Friday and gets back into Hoosier Crossroads Conference play, visiting the Fishers Tigers.
A game like Saturday's was a great test to see what happens when this group gets rattled. Faced with adversity, they found ways to climb their way back into the lead and pull away throughout the fourth quarter.
On Friday night, be sure to join myself and Perry Williams for the call of Keck's Millers on the road at Fishers live on HamiltonCountyTV.com! We'll have the audio for you with the pre-game starting around 7:30.
GO MILLERS!
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