(Connor Essegian last week after the regional title game)

Central Noble got a double-double from Wisconsin signee Connor Essegian to hold off a gritty Carroll team 54-48 and advance to their first state finals appearance in school history.

The 6'4 Essegian got off to a fast start for his Cougar side. After Ryan Schroeder started the scoring for Central Noble, Essegian would score the final nine points of the quarter, including a three and a breakaway dunk. Both teams struggled with turnovers that kept the scoring down even though the tempo of the game was kept high. Central Noble held a six point advantage until the final seconds when 5'9 sophomore Chris Huerta hit a three pointer to cut the Carroll deficit in half entering the second.

Central Noble maintained their lead throughout the second, but were unable to extend due to a subpar 2/10 start from behind the three point line. Carroll could not take advantage as they were turning the ball over and running into Logan Gard in the paint. The 6'7 Gard sent away multiple Carroll shots in the paint and discouraged others from being attempted.

Essegian was the target of a very physical Carroll defensive effort, but he was buoyed by the shooting of junior Conner Lemmon, who hit a pair of threes in the period to keep Central Noble in front. Neither team shot well from the floor in the first half, but the difference was the turnover column, as Carroll simply did not give temselves enough chances to cut into their deficit.

It was time for the tables to turn after the break, as Central Noble began to throw the ball all over the gym. They would commit six turnovers in the third period alone, giving Carroll an opportunity to come back into the game. Carroll would continue to have difficulty scoring in the lane, but they were able to get out in transition following the Central Noble turnovers and convert. They would manage to halve the Central Noble lead entering the fourth.

Central Noble continued to struggle holding onto the ball, and a Will Eldridge bucket would make it a two point game with six minutes to go. But Central Noble would respond, as they scored on back to back possessions, the last being a Ryan Schroeder three pointer that pushed their lead to seven with 4:40 to play.

Carroll would again show their toughness, forcing turnovers and getting layups, but the free throw line would be their undoing down the stretch. After starting the game 5/5, the Cougars would miss their last seven free throw attempts, preventing them from capitalizing on the Central Noble miscues.

Logan Gard and Connor Essegian would salt the game away at the line, providing the final margin at six. Essegian would claim game-high honors with 25 points. He also added 10 rebounds, eight in the first half, and a half dozen steals. Conner Lemmon joined him in double figures for Central Noble with 11, while Gard and Schroeder each scored eight.

Jake Skinner led Carroll with 15 points, while Chris Huerta scored 11 and Owen Duff 10.

Central Noble moves to 28-2 advances to face Providence in the 2A state championship, while Carroll see their season end at 24-2.


Central Noble  11  11   7  25  -  54
Carroll         8   8  10  22  -  48

Central Noble: Connor Essegian 25 points (9/20 FGs, 2/7 3Ps, 5/7 FTs), 10 rebs, 2 asts, 6 stls; Conner Lemmon 11 points (3/8 FGs, 2/5 3Ps, 3/4 FTs); Logan Gard 8 points (3/4 FGs, 2/2 FTs), 8 rebs, 4 blks; Ryan Schroeder 8 points (3/7 FGs, 1/4 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 5 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls; Sam Essegian 2 points (1/3 FGs)