(JonAnthony Hall takes a three-pointer against Crispus Attucks at the 2024 FORUM Tipoff Classic. Photo by James Cocherell)

 

In a highly anticipated sectional opener, No. 1 Fishers defeated Westfield 54-47, but it was far from a cakewalk for the Tigers. The Rocks took Fishers down to the wire in early February and had a chance late against the Tigers this time, too. In the end, Stanford football signee JonAnthony Hall (15 points, seven rebounds, three blocks) and Jason Gardner Jr. (13 points and six assists) powered Fishers to the victory.

 

Fishers, a team shooting over 45 percent from three this season, began the game one of five from deep. That allowed Westfield to take an early lead. Junior guard Drew Haffner provided most of the offense behind his shot-making. The lanky guard scored eight points in the opening period.

 

Miami of Ohio signee Justin Kirby came off the bench to immediately knock down a three, followed by a Hall three to give Fishers the 17-15 advantage after one quarter.

 

Sophomore point guard Jason Gardner Jr. recorded five points and two assists in the first six minutes, but he also picked up two fouls. That sent him to the bench for a stretch.

 

Junior Brock Detamore buried a spot-up three in the second quarter to swing the lead back to Westfield's side, 20-19. Durante Morton scored while being fouled to extend the Rocks' lead to 22-19.

 

However, Fishers finished the half on a seven-to-zero run, and halftime did not slow down the Tigers. The 4A favorite scored the first nine points, including two emphatic dunks from Hall, to make the overall run 16-0. 

 

Gardner and Hall led Fishers to an 11-point lead into the final quarter. The Tigers pushed the advantage to 15 points before Westfield made a final charge.

 

Haffner found a shooting and scoring rhythm again after being quiet in the middle quarters for Westfield. Haffner, Will Harvey, Detamore, and Jalen Malone sparked the late run.

 

The Rocks made it a three-point game with 1:25 to play but could not come any closer to the Tigers. Taylor University signee Nathan Baker dove on a loose ball to get Fishers possession with 24.7 seconds remaining. The effort all but sealed the game for the Tigers.

 

Baker finished with six points, four assists, and the crucial steal.

 

Kirby tallied ten points off the bench, and Millen McCartney scored seven.

 

Haffner scored a game-high 19 points in the loss. Malone recorded ten points and six rebounds. Detamore scored eight points, and Harvey notched seven points and four rebounds.

 

Fishers was an uncharacteristic 4-16 (25 percent) from three but made 19-23 (82.6 percent) two-point shots. On the other side, Westfield could not score around the rim against Hall, Kirby, and Baker. The Rocks shot 10-29 (34.5 percent) from inside the arc, leading Fishers to win the points in the paint battle 34 to 12.

 

Westfield finishes the season 18-4, with two close losses to Fishers.

 

Fishers (25-0) plays Zionsville in the second game at Carmel on Friday night. The first game is Noblesville vs. Hamilton Southeastern.