In the nightcap of Sectional 8, Hamilton Southeastern used stifling defense in the third quarter to overcome a rough shooting night against Zionsville.

 

The game started on a rough note for Zionsville, as 7' center Derrik Smits picked up two quick fouls and was relegated to the bench for much of the first half. The slack would be picked up by freshman Riley Bertram, who would nail a pair of three pointers in the opening quarter. Zach Gunn would counter by scoring in a few different ways. The 6'6 sophomore hit a three, scored inside, and hit a free throw for his six first quarter points.

 

A couple of reserves would have their moments in the second quarter. Chris Pappas would hit a running hook shot across the lane for Zionsville, then Tiger Guillroy of HSE would grab a couple of offensive rebounds and convert one of them into a layup. His play would spark a 7-2 Royal run, which brought Derrik Smits back into the game with his two fouls.

 

Zach Gunn's three point play would give HSE a seven point lead, but Zionsville would have momentum going into the locker room as Chris Pappas would follow a missed Braden Hall jumper with a second remaining in the half.

 

Turnovers plagued each team coming out of the break, as each team took turns throwing the ball away for most of the third quarter. Many of these miscues were unforced, as neither team pressured the ballhandler.

 

HSE would hold the ball for the final shots of the third, and a screen against the zone would free Zach Gunn in front of his bench. Tyler Janney made a slick bounce pass to find him, and Gunn would deposit the ball in the bottom of the net to give the a Royals some breathing room with an eight point lead heading into the fourth. "He's a guy that has confidence," said HSE coach Brian Satterfield. "When he has an open look, we like our chances."

 

Gunn and Riley Bertram would trade threes early in the quarter, and then Zionsville would begin their run. HSE would try to run clock with still over half of the period left, and it would not pay off as missed shots and turnovers would allow Zionsville to claw back into the game.  Satterfield wanted to balance his offense, saying "We wanted to get quality shots. I thought we started to get tentative a bit, and then we started attacking. We have to keep our guys aggressive but still get quality shots." Jake Mann would hit his only three of the game, then drive and hit a floater to bring the margin to three. Chris Ford would split a pair of free throws, then Derrik Smits would tip in his own miss to bring it to two with 45 seconds left.

 

The clincher would come with nine seconds left, as a missed Eagles shot would fall into the hands of Gunn, who found Chris Ford all alone downcourt for a layup to give the Royals a five point lead.  Jack Pilcher would hit a three at the buzzer to bring the final score to 42-38.

 

Hamilton Southeastern  11  11   7   13  -  42

Zionsville                        10    7   4   17  -  38

 

HSE: Zach Gunn 22 pts (7/21 FGs, 3/11 3Ps, 5/7 FTs), 10 rebs; Chris Ford 8 pts (3/8 FGs), 3 ast; Tyler Janney 4 pts, 3 ast; Tiger Guillroy 4 pts; JD Bembry 3 pts; Carter Poiry 1 pt

 

Zionsville: Riley Bertram 9 pts (3/3 3Ps); Jake Mann 9 pts (4/12 FGs, 1/6 3Ps); Derrik Smits 9 pts (4/9 FGs), 7 rebs, 2 blk; Jack Pilcher 5 pts; Chris Pappas 4 pts; Braden Hall 2 pts, 4 ast