By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – The Noblesville boys basketball team scored a comeback win at Hamilton Southeastern on Friday, 54-49.
The Royals used a hot shooting performance to control the first half, but the Millers responded with a strong start to the third quarter to take the lead. Noblesville then held on in the fourth quarter to pick up the Hoosier Crossroads Conference victory and extend its win streak to seven games.
Noblesville led 7-4 early in the quarter before Southeastern went on an 8-0 run. Lucas Weemer made a layin, then hit a 3-pointer to put the Royals ahead. Maverick Young finished the run with another triple. Baron Walker scored four straight points for the Millers to end the run, but Southeastern finished the period with a 16-11 lead, thanks to baskets by Landon Osswald and Braeden Totten.
The Royals held the lead for the entire second quarter, including seven-point advantages twice in the early going. A Jack Jacobs basket started the period, then Osswald made a layin to give HSE a 20-13 lead.
“I thought we really came out with a sense of urgency and played better than what we have in our starts to games,” said Southeastern coach John Ashworth.
Noblesville began to climb back into it during the middle part of the quarter; Baron Walker and T.J. Davidson both made 3s. Kallen Hoeft answered with a triple of his own, then a Weemer layin put the Royals up 27-22. But Justin Curry finished the quarter with a steal that turned into an and-1, and Noblesville was within 27-25 at halftime.
Curry’s points turned out to be the start of a 13-0 run. The Millers scored the first 10 points of the third quarter: Curry scored again off a steal and Davidson hit two free throws, then both players hit 3s to move Noblesville ahead 35-27.
“I thought Southeastern controlled all the first half, even though we got it to two,” said Millers coach Scott McClelland. “I thought they were the aggressor, I thought they were the tougher team.” But the coach said his team “did a really nice of regrouping in the third quarter. I think we went five or six, maybe seven possessions with stops. That was very encouraging.”
Totten stopped the spurt with a 3, then Weemer’s layin got the Royals within 35-32. Adam Fine and Davidson both hit 3s late in the quarter, and Noblesville led 41-34 going into the fourth.
Southeastern fought back to tie the game at 45-45 thanks to an 11-4 stretch that took up the majority of the fourth quarter. Varschon Clark had four points on two baskets, including a layin that got the Royals within 45-42. A Weemer triple tied the game.
Aiden Brewer made a layin with 2:36 to put the Millers back in front, and Noblesville would hold the lead for the remainder of the game. Noblesville went 5-of-6 from the free-throw line during the last 1:03; two free throws from Curry with 7.1 seconds left iced the game.
“I think we’re improving,” said McClelland. “I think we’re starting to understand some things. I’m still waiting for our offense to come around and just cancel out some of these unforced silly errors, turnovers and trying throw through guys and stuff like that. I thought defensively, especially the third quarter, the kids really played well.”
Davidson and Walker both finished the game with 14 points, including three 3s for Davidson. Curry scored 12 points and led the rebounds with eight.
Weemer scored 14 points to lead the Royals, with Osswald adding 10 points and collecting eight rebounds.
Noblesville is 3-2 in HCC play and 12-4 overall. The Millers play an afternoon game today at Guerin Catholic. Southeastern is 0-5 in the conference and 8-10 overall. The Royals play tonight at Pendleton Heights.
