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!
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