By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – This year’s edition of the Fishers girls basketball team is definitely young, with no seniors on the team.
There is also quite a bit of talent and depth on the Tigers’ roster. And so far, it’s been a good start for Fishers, which improved to 3-0 Wednesday by beating Anderson 58-8 at the Tiger Den.
The Tigers, ranked No. 10 in the ICGSA Class 4A poll, were in control from the beginning. Junior Hailey Smith scored the first four points, then after Anderson got on the board, Fishers went a 28-0 run that lasted well into the second quarter. The Tigers led 35-4 at halftime.
“We try to get better each and every night regardless of who you play,” said Fishers coach Lauren Votaw. “We tell our kids that who you play doesn’t change how you play and that’s the motto you try to live by, whether you’re playing a team with a really good record or a team with a record that is struggling a little bit.”
Ten different players scored during the game. The top scorer was sophomore Megan Robertson, who came off the bench and contributed 12 points. Junior Olivia Smith was next with eight points. Six players scored at least six points, including Hailey Smith, sophomore starter Kate Thomas, junior Alycia Triplett and freshman Ava Carter.
“I think this team is very deep,” said Votaw. “I’ve known that since the summer. I think we have several kids that can contribute. Obviously, Hailey and Olivia are great leaders in a lot of aspects of the game for us. But there are a lot of kids that can be good supporting casts.”
Twin sisters Hailey and Olivia Smith have been varsity starters since they were freshmen. Now, as the only two with significant varsity experience, they are the leaders of the team.
“It’s been a fun experience,” said Olivia Smith. Olivia said she and her sister have been “trying to get this team some knowledge” due to the fact that this is a young squad.
“Just telling them what to do, on and off the court, just being a leader all around,” said Olivia.
“I think as each game goes on, we’re going to learn more and more, just because we got a lot of young players and we still have a lot to learn,” said Hailey Smith.
“They’ve been doing a great job. They are the only two players that have really experienced full varsity seasons and they have been under some really great leaders in their first two years,” said Votaw. As a result, the Smiths got a chance to see leadership up close and personal.
“They grow as leaders every week,” said Votaw.
Fishers will go on the road for the first time this weekend, playing at Columbus East.
“I think it’s going to be a great experience for us,” said Votaw. “It’s a chance to play on a Saturday morning, which if you’re fortunate enough to play in the regional, then that’s the opportunity you get. It’s great practice for us to have to get up and drive an hour and a half and play a basketball game. It’ll be good.”
FISHERS 58, ANDERSON 8
Fishers FG FT TP PF
Karina Scott 2 0-0 4 1
Joirdyn Smith 2 0-0 4 0
Kate Thomas 3 1-3 7 2
Hailey Smith 3 0-1 6 0
Olivia Smith 4 0-0 8 0
Talia Harris 1 0-0 2 1
Morgan Roberts 5 1-1 12 3
Alycia Triplett 3 0-0 6 2
Ava Carter 3 0-0 6 2
Julia Munholm 0 0-0 0 0
Grace Fisher 0 0-0 0 1
Allison Scheu 1 0-0 3 3
Totals 27 2-5 58 15
Score by Quarters
Anderson 2 2 0 4 – 8
Fishers 18 17 11 12 – 58
Fishers 3-pointers (2) Roberts 1, Scheu 1.