(Connor Essegian pictured at the FORUM Tipoff Classic)

 

Indiana Basketball Source's 2A No. 2 team got a stern test against a worthy county and conference opponent Friday evening. Still, Central Noble emerged victorious over West Noble in Ligonier. Both teams faced adversity, as Central Noble was without starting point guard Jackson Andrews, and West Noble had several players miss practice time this week due to illness.

 

The matchup to watch was a battle between high-scoring guards, with Central Noble's Connor Essegian, a Wisconsin signee, and West Noble's Austin Cripe, a 2023 prospect, both averaging over 25 points per game this season. As such, both teams paid extra attention to those two, with each squad dedicating a defender to shadow their every move.

 

Austin Cripe managed to snag a pair of steals that he would turn into layups and a Nevin Phares triple just before the buzzer would give the hosts a lead after the first eight minutes. Central Noble would stay close throughout the second quarter, as Essegian would heat up with back-to-back triples as the senior guard scored 10 of his team's 12 points in the second. The Cougars could have cut their deficit, but sloppy ballhandling prevented them from getting shot attempts on several possessions.

 

However, the Cougars would not be held down for long, outscoring their rivals 13-4 in the third period as Conner Lemmon would step up and hit a pair of threes against West Noble's 1-3-1 defense. Logan Gard would also score twice in the quarter after slipping screens he set for Essegian, as the extra attention the Chargers paid to the Wisconsin signee backfired.

 

After taking the lead in the third, the Cougars would extend their lead to six in the fourth, as Ryan Schroeder would come up big on both ends. The senior forward took over some point guard duties tonight in the absence of Jackson Andrews, and he was the calming presence that Central Noble went to when West Noble turned up their pressure. The 6'3 Schroeder also came up with a pair of crucial steals in the final few minutes, halting a comeback opportunity for West Noble. However, it was needed, as Austin Cripe scored 12 points on various finishes at the rim in the fourth quarter to try and regain the lead for West Noble.

 

Central Noble would convert just enough at the line late to keep West Noble at arm's length, moving their record to 5-0 on the season. West Noble slips to 4-2. Cripe's 22 points led the Chargers, but he was the only player in double figures for his team.

 

 

 

Central Noble   7  12  13  14  -  46

West Noble     11  12   4  14  -  41

 

 

Central Noble: Connor Essegian 22 points (8/16 FGs, 4/12 3Ps, 2/4 FTs), 4 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls; Conner Lemmon 13 points (4/8 FGs, 3/6 3Ps, 2/3 FTs), 2 stls; Logan Gard 6 points (2/8 FGs, 2/4 FTs), 6 rebs, 2 blks; Sam Essegian 3 points (1/1 3Ps), 3 stls; Ryan Schroeder 2 points (1/2 FGs), 5 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls

 

West Noble: Austin Cripe 22 points (9/15 FGs, 1/1 3Ps, 3/3 FTs), 4 rebs, 3 asts, 5 stls; Nevin Phares 7 points (3/12 FGs, 1/4 3Ps), 3 rebs; Julio Macias 6 points (3/8 FGs), 6 rebs, 3 blks; Zach Beers 4 points (2/4 FGs), 4 rebs, 2 stls; Bradyn Barth 2 points (1/2 FGs)