Tigers pounce in fourth quarter to beat Rocks

The REPORTER

The Fishers boys got their toughest test of the season Thursday, when the Class 4A No. 1 Tigers traveled to CSI Gymnasium to play 4A No. 4 Westfield.

The Shamrocks led by double digits at halftime before Fishers made a huge comeback in the fourth quarter to win the Hoosier Crossroads Conference game 67-64. The Tigers are still perfect for the season at 19-0 after getting through their closest game thus far.

Westfield led 19-18 after the first quarter. Justin Kirby scored six points for Fishers, while Drew Haffner had five points for the ‘Rocks, including a 3-pointer. Haffner nailed two more triples in the second quarter, helping Westfield to outscore the Tigers 15-6 in that period.

The Shamrocks led 34-24 at halftime and enjoyed a 48-39 advantage after three quarters; Jalen Malone scored seven for Westfield in the third, including a 3. Josh Sigler helped keep Fishers within striking distance with five points, also making a triple.

Jason Gardner Jr. started the Tigers’ comeback early in the fourth. He scored the first eight points of a 10-2 run that took place during the first two minutes of the quarter. A dunk from JonAnthony Hall brought Fishers back to within one point, 50-49.

Malone scored for Westfield, then Cooper Zachary hit a 3 to tie the game at 52-52. Sigler scored off a Hall assist with 4:10 left, and Fishers held a 55-54 lead.

The lead went back and forth until the 2:34 mark, when Gardner found Kirby on the right wing for a 3. That gave the Tigers a 60-57 lead, and they would stay in front for good. Kirby finished the game by going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line during the last 12.2 seconds.

Gardner finished the game with 22 points, including 11 in the fourth. Kirby scored 18 points, while Sigler added 12. Haffner and Malone each scored 15 points for Westfield, with Haffner draining four 3s. Brock Detamore made three 3s while scoring 12 points.

Fishers is 6-0 in HCC play and travels to O’Fallon, Ill. on Saturday to play Peoria Manual in the Bank O’Fallon Shootout. The Shamrocks are 3-3 in the conference and 12-3 overall; they host Mooresville Saturday afternoon.