By RICHARD TORRES
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – With the final seconds of the first half rapidly dwindling Saturday night, Noblesville senior Meredith Tippner rose up near the edge of The Millers’ center-court logo and let the ball fly.
Zeros on the clock, ball in the air and swoosh.
Three-pointer, Tippner.
Noblesville down 28-27 at halftime, as Tippner revived the home crowd and flashed three fingers before heading into the Millers’ locker room.
Unfortunately, the good feelings ended shortly after that big walk-off shot, as Class 4A No. 3 Homestead ran away from 4A No. 10 Noblesville in the second half to win, 66-49.
The visiting Spartans buried six 3-pointers in the first half and added six more in the second to finish 12 of 27 from long range that sparked a decisive 23-point third quarter and 14-2 run.
“They shoot the three really well, and once they get on a roll, they’re an outstanding basketball team,” Noblesville head coach Donna Buckley said. “We played a large part, especially that first half, with two freshmen out there. We’re going to have growing pains for sure, but we’ll find our way.”
A final four team last year, Noblesville (2-2) opened the 2023 campaign a modest 7-7 before running towards an 18-9 record and the program’s 13th sectional and eighth regional titles all time along with its second semi-state appearance in three seasons.
Homestead (6-0) reached the elite eight last year, falling to Lake Central in the semi-state semifinals, who later beat Noblesville in the finals before falling to Lawrence Central at the state finals.
In other words, two consecutive losses in November aren’t indicative of anything, Buckley emphasized. It’s just the start.
“We were 7-7 last year at one point and finished on a 12-2 run, so it’s all about learning and finding your way,” Buckley said. “You can’t panic. We try to make our schedule as hard as possible for a reason. We’re preparing for February, and Homestead is really good. They’re as good as anybody in the state.”
The Spartans proved it with four starters in double figures led by junior Gabby Helsom’s 19 points on 4 of 8 shooting from 3-point range. Junior Carley Moellering had seven rebounds and 15 points on 5 of 8 long-range shooting, while junior Whitney Ankenbruck was 3-for-6 from 3-point distance for 14 points. Junior Myah Epps had 12 points the traditional way.
Noblesville 6 of 13 from deep with Tippner’s first of five 3-pointers capping an 11-0 run in the first quarter, which put the Millers ahead 13-6.
The Millers carried a 15-11 lead into the second quarter and an assist from Tippner to junior C.C. Quigley early in the frame kept Noblesville in front 17-14. Tippner’s second trey and a putback bucket by Quigley rallied Noblesville back from a 20-17 deficit to make it 22-20 with 2:12 left in the first half.
Tippner’s third 3-pointer sliced Homestead’s four-point first-half advantage to one, but a 22-point second half sank the Millers in the final 16 minutes.
Tippner finished with a game-high 29 points 12 of 27 shooting with eight rebounds and two assists. Quigley had 13 points, five rebounds and an assist.
The rest of the Millers combined for seven points split among junior Ally Hutchison and frosh Maia Blower (5 points).
“We have to have other kids step up and make some shots, and that was definitely something we talked about after the game. We have to have other kids making plays and working to get open. We can’t stand around and watch one or two kids,” Buckley said. “We have to have more balance in our scoring, and part of that is inexperience and youth.”
Rebounding played a factor, as the Spartans pulled down 21 defensive boards and 30 overall compared to Noblesville’s 20 total (14 on defense).
“Obviously, Quigley and Tippner have been around a long time, but some of these other kids are new, and we have to obviously replace some really good seniors that graduated, but at the same time we still have some really good pieces,” Buckley said. “Those young kids are going to be really good once they figure out what it takes to beat these really good teams.”
The Millers lost at 4A No. 12 Brownsburg, 46-44, on Thursday to open Hoosier Crossroads Conference play prior to Saturday’s second home game of the season.
“We’re playing back-to-back top 10 teams, and this is good for us. We designed the schedule to be tough to make you find your way,” Buckley said. “The takeaway is halftime, it’s a one-point game. We have to learn how to play 32 minutes, and we’ll be OK.”
The Millers will look to bounce back at home on Tuesday against Carmel. They travel to Mt. Vernon (Fortville) next weekend before hosting HHC foe 4A No. 2 Hamilton Southeastern on Dec. 4.