After getting postponed on Wednesday at home vs. Kokomo, the Millers were more than anxious to get back on the floor. Who can blame them with this recent weather we've had in central Indiana? Donna Keck and staff gave the team a day off Thursday to get their heads clear for Saturday's tilt at Mt. Vernon in Fortville.
It seems that giving the girls a day off with no practice was one of the keys to getting them back to their old selves and the way they started out this season.
As the season has progressed, we keep seeing more and more of the bench depth that the Millers have and how those role players are making impacts in their own way.
4A #5 Noblesville 78, Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 49 - (Saturday in Fortville)
Millers 31 15 20 12 - 78
Marauders 15 6 16 12 - 49
Guard play was extremely pivotal for Noblesville as they knew they would face a challenge with the Marauders having an identical overall record of 13-1 coming into the Saturday afternoon's contest.
The Millers were fueled by from the opening tip by senior guard Becca Bergman and this particular road game revolved around her play, being the heart and soul of this Noblesville team. Yes, there are many key contributors, but Bergman simply facilitates and makes this team go. Bottom line.
This game, which is usually a heated battle, wasn't much of a game at all. The Millers made strides in getting back to what they do best to win games. Suffocating full-court defense and quick, tenacious defense helped them steal the ball 6 times in the first quarter alone and 10 overall for the game.
Bergman was in a zone to start with 8 of her 11 in the first, swishing a pair of treys and a layup. Brooke Herron provided a lot off the bench in the first by nailing a couple of threes of her own and just like that, Noblesville was making a statement on the road. leading 31-15.
Averaging around 24 per game, Mt. Vernon's offense runs through, around and is about Sydney Shelton. With an obvious look of frustration on her face, Shelton just couldn't dominate at all like was used to. Coming in, we could probably assume that she knew it would be tough to get and keep herself in a groove against the many defensive stalwarts from Noblesville.
Noblesville was off and running again in the second with a 15-6 quarter to lead 46-21 at half, led by nine from Alexis Shannon to head up the charge for a 25-point margin through two.
Mt. Vernon woke itself up somewhat in the second half, but it was obviously too late and were still outscored by the Millers 32-28 as Noblesville won going away with a 78-49 rout of the Marauders.
It was the little things that happened across the board for Noblesville. Five different Millers dished out three or more assists and also five had four-plus rebounds. Sticking with the numbers, seven had two or more assists, as well as 26 assists on 30 field goals made. Just all of that right there proves that yes, it really is the little things that help turn out victories.
Mt. Vernon (13-2) was led by junior leading scorer Sydney Shelton with 19 points/6 rebounds and was joined in double-digits by Shaely Duff with 14. They Marauders also got 6 each from Sadie Baugh and Olivia Coleman, who also had a game-high 10 rebounds, along with 4 steals.
The Marauders get back to action on Wednesday, January 14 at home when they welcome in the Warren Central Warriors (2-11).
Noblesville (14-1) got a somewhat quiet game-high 21 from Alexis Shannon. Katelyn O'Reilly did her part with 15 points, a team-high 9 rebounds and two blocked shots. Bergman had 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, while Brooke Herron earned Hamilton County TV's Player of the Game honors with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Erin Wood grabbed 7 rebounds to go with her four points. Cori Cain had a solid game with 4 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Emily Kiser pitched in nicely with 7 points and four boards. The Millers had their best performance of the season from outside the three-point arc, making 9-for-16 (56%) from downtown and shooting 43% overall.
The Millers get a little break in the schedule and will get back to Hoosier Crossroads Conference play on Friday night at The Mill at 6 p.m. in the first game of an HCC girls/boys varsity doubleheader vs. Zionsville (2-10). Keck's squad will look to extend their home court winning streak to 10 games when the Eagles come to town on Friday.
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