Carmel and North Central have had some great battles over the last few years. The programs produce talented teams each season under Scott Heady and Doug Mitchell. Carmel is once again a favorite to contend for a state title while North Central is young but yet talented. 

Early on it looked like Carmel would run away with the game. Seniors Keegan Culp and Ryan Cline were able to get off to quick starts. Senior center Liam Duncan was active early as well. It was a slow start for sophomore sensation Kris Wilkes. Carmel led 18-9 after one quarter.

The second quarter shifted the dynamics of the game. Senior Jared Clark was a big reason for the shift of the momentum for North Central. Clark was excellent in the first half. The lanky senior scored 12 points in the half to lead North Central. The Panthers also did a great job of turning Carmel over in the full court and half court. That was a theme that continued throughout the game.

It was a tied game at the half, but North Central took control in the third period. Wes Stowers and Kris Wilkes started to take the game over. Stowers made an impact in each phase of the game. He hit shots from distance, scored in the lane, rebounded, created shots for others and got into the passing lanes for steals. Wilkes started to focus on getting into the paint in the second. In the first half, he floated on the perimeter settling for outside shots. It was inside shots in the second half for Wilkes and he was much more effective.

North Central used a 15-2 run at the beginning of the third quarter to open a lead. The Panthers outscored Carmel 22-7 in the quarter. Carmel did not go quietly in the fourth quarter.

North Central controlled the ball in the fourth quarter while melting precious seconds off the clock. The Greyhounds made some plays to stay in the game. It was a six point game with 40.5 seconds left after a Preston Flamion layup. Carmel would not cut into the deficit any farther though.

Carmel             18  13  7  21 ---59

North Central    9  22  22  13 ---66

Carmel: Ryan Cline 17 points (5-15 FG, 1-7 3FG), 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Keegan Culp 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3FG), 6 rebounds; Preston Flamion 10 points, 4 rebounds; Trenton Richardson 7 points; Liam Duncan 4 points; Sterling Brown 3 points; Sam Oliphant 2 points; Ethan Merriweather 2 points.

North Central: Kris Wilkes 17 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3FG, 7-10 FT), 1 rebound, 2 blocks; Wes Stowers 15 points (4-10 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4-4 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 0 turnovers; Jared Clark 14 points (6-9 FG, 2-5 3FG), 4 rebounds; Tyrie Johnson 9 points; Carter Herman 5 points; Emmanuel Little 4 points; Carl Drummer 2 points