In a battle between the two high schools in Noblesville, the host Millers used a dominant third quarter to grab a lead and then held on at the end, withstanding a Guerin Catholic rally to defeat the Golden Eagles Tuesday night.

 

From the start, not much seemed to go right for the hosts, as Guerin was able to repeatedly get layup opportunities against the interior of Noblesville’s defense. Kian Sills kept the defense honest on the perimeter by nailing a midrange pull-up and deep three-pointer as Guerin raced to a quick lead. The news would get worse for the Millers as leading scorer Zack Johnson picked up a pair of fouls in the first quarter and would sit for the rest of the half.

 

Guerin would extend their lead in the second quarter as they shot 56% from the field in the first half compared to just 35% for the home side. The Golden Eagles were able to patiently exploit whatever defense Noblesville was using and generate quality scoring chances.

 

Whatever halftime adjustments occurred in the Noblesville locker room paid off immediately as the Millers, who started junior Alex Hunt in the second half in order to crank up the defensive pressure, came out hot after the break. A pair of Zack Johnson scores at the rim and a steal and two-hand slam by Hunt provided a 6-0 spurt for the Millers, forcing a Guerin timeout. That timeout wouldn’t help their cause, however, as Noblesville dominated the third quarter to the tune of 17-2 to regain a lead. The only Guerin points would come on a pair f Bernie McGuinness free throws at the 2:48 mark.

 

That run would reach 21-2 in the fourth quarter before Guerin got their first field goal of the half nearly ten and a half minutes in. Noblesville had opened up an 11 point lead at that point, but would have to withstand one final charge from the Golden Eagles. As Noblesville tried to work time off the clock, Guerin went to a trapping defense with some success, as they forced a couple of turnovers and rushed shots at the rim. 

 

A traditional three-point play from Bernie McGuinness made it a three-point game with just over a minute remaining. After two Zach Johnson free throws, Kian Sills would step into a 30 footer and knock it down, cutting the Noblesville lead to just two with 15 seconds left. Eagan Keever-Hill was fouled but missed both free throw attempts. Sills would get the ball for Guerin, but he was called for an offensive foul trying to drive by a Noblesville defender with three seconds left. Xavier Hines would get fouled and split a pair from the line. A desperation heave from Sills would fall short, giving Noblesville a three-point victory.

 

Guerin Catholic  12  10   2   17  -  41

Noblesville            6   8  17  13  -  44

 

Guerin Catholic: Bernie McGuinness 12 points (4/5 FGs, 1/1 3Ps, 3/3 FTs), 6 rebs; Kian Sills 10 points (4/11 FGs, 2/7 3Ps), 5 rebs, 4 asts; Matt Parenteau 7 points; Joseph Bobilya 5 points (2/5 FGs, 1/3 3Ps); Luke Godfrey 5 points (2/5 FGs, 1/3 3Ps); Matt Gillis 2 points

 

Noblesville: Jordan Schmidt 10 points (2/4 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 5/6 FTs), 3 asts; Zack Johnson 10 points (4/6 FGs, 2/2 FTs); Eagan Keever- Hill 9 points (4/6 FGs, 1/1 3Ps); Alex Hunt 9 points; Xavier Hines 6 points (2/6 FGs, 1/4 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 4 rebs