A pair of opening round games took place Wednesday in the new look Sectional 8 taking place at Noblesville. Gone are mainstays Zionville and North Central, and in their place are Anderson and defending 3A champion Guerin Catholic.

In the nightcap, a pair of Hamilton County rivals faced off as Carmel took on sectional hosts Noblesville.

 

 

The first quarter was a preview of what was to come for the rest of the evening, as Each team tried to break down the opposing defense, but was mostly unsuccessful. Garrett Covington and Preston Flamion were each able to work off screens for baskets, giving Carmel and 8-5 lead after a quarter.

 

 

The pace slowed even more in the second quarter, as Carmel and Noblesville each had long possessions on offense. Max Flinchum's three from the corner finally gave Noblesville the lead, and the teams would trade baskets until halftime. Senior wing Garrett Covington scored all five of Carmel's points in the quarter.

 

 

Noblesville continued with the lead after halftime and were content to spread the floor as the clock ran. John Kiser and McGwire Plumer played keep away from Carmel's defense. A switching Miller defense kept Carmel off balance on the other end, as the home team switched between a 2-3 zone, 1-3-1 zone, and man to man defense. Garrett Covington and Preston Flamion we're the only Greyhounds to score in the game until a pair of Trenton Richardson free throws late in the quarter.

 

 

The two sides each slowed the pace even more in the final quarter. Sterling Brown would finally give Carmel the lead following his three pointer, but McGwire Plummer would drive and find Ryan Ogden on the baseline, where he would convert to tie the game at 28. From there, Noblesville would run the final two minutes off before John Kiser would drive to the hoop. He missed a runner, but the ball fell to teammate Grant Bullard. Bullard appeared to be fouled on his desperation heave, but no whistle was blown.

 

 

In the first overtime, Noblesville perfectly executed a backdoor play for Max Flinchum to take the lead, then John Kiser was fouled after a missed Carmel shot. Kiser would make the first free throw, but miss the second and Sterling Brown would dribble into a three point shot off a ball screen and bury it.

 

 

Kiser would miss a shot, and now it was Carmel's turn to take two minutes off the clock. Sterling Brown would find the ball in his hands, but stumbled a bit with the clock nearing zero and his off balance runner would fall short, sending the game to double overtime.

 

 

Noblesville would open the second overtime with a bucket, but again it was Sterling Brown to the rescue by hitting his third three pointer of the game. Noblesville would respond to take the lead back, but following a John Kiser turnover, Garrett Covington was fouled and hit both free throws to give Carmel the lead back. Kiser had a chance to retake the lead for Noblesville, but missed the front end of a one and one opportunity.

 

 

Max Flinchum would hit one of two at the free throw line after a pair of Covington free throws, but it would not be enough for Noblesville, as Covington and Sterling Brown would go four of four from the stripe in the last ten seconds to seal the win for Carmel.

 

 

Carmel        8  5  10  5  3  11  -  42

Noblesville  5  9  10  4  3    5  -  36

 

Carmel: Garrett Covington 20 points (6/13 FGs, 2/4 3Ps, 6/6 FTs), 4 rbs, 3 ast; Sterling Brown 11 points (3/6 3Ps); Preston Flamion 9 points (4/8 FGs), 3 ast; Trenton Richardson 2 points

 

Noblesville: John Kiser 16 points (4/12 FGs, 8/11 FTs), 6 rbs; Max Flinchum 9 points (3/8 FGs, 2/4 3Ps); Ryan Ogden 6 points (3/6 FGs); McGwire Plummer 5 points (2/4 FGs)