By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – Sharing is caring. And when it comes to a basketball team, sharing is winning.
The Fishers girls are good at sharing the basketball, so it should not be a surprise that the Tigers are winning quite a bit this season. Fishers, ranked No. 3 in the IBCA one-class poll and No. 4 in the ICGSA Class 4A rankings, improved to 5-0 after two wins Saturday at the Tiger Den.
In their first game, the Tigers cruised past Columbus East – the No. 17 team in the IBCA poll – 73-46. Fishers came back in the evening and sailed past Elkhart by nearly the same margin, 73-45. Nine players scored for the Tigers in the first game, while all 10 players that took to the floor in the evening game got in the scorebook.
“We’ve actually played 10 people in every game this year,” said Fishers coach Lauren Votaw. “And that’s one of the best parts about this team is our depth.”
In the morning contest, the Tigers were in a battle with Columbus East during the first quarter, leading 17-16 after that first period. But Fishers broke away from the Olympians by outscoring them 18-8 in the second quarter for a 35-24 lead.
The Tigers depth took over in that period, with six different players scoring at least two points. Olivia Smith led the way with five, while Talia Harris and Hailey Smith both added four points.
Fishers took further control of the game in the third quarter by outscoring Columbus East 23-13. Hailey Smith scored nine points in that period, with Olivia Smith pouring in another seven. Hailey Smith led the scoring with 18 points, followed by Olivia Smith with 15 and Harris with 11.
“We’ve definitely been sharing the ball great this season,” said Hailey Smith. “But we still have a lot to work on. Obviously, it’s just the start.”
“We want to run fast in transition and get fast buckets,” said Olivia Smith, which she said leads to the Tigers wearing out their opponents. “And then also, when we’re tired, it just gives us a fresh start to do the same thing over again.”
Perfect Ten
Not only did all 10 Tigers players score in Fishers’ evening game, but they all scored at least three points. This game was not as close at the beginning, with the Tigers leading 23-11 after the first quarter. Harris had six points in that opening period.
Fishers led 41-20 by halftime, with nine players scoring at least two points. The 10th player to get on the board, Nevaeh Dickman, did so when she hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
“They’re extremely talented,” said Votaw. “And they have bought into this idea of, whatever it takes for us to be the best team that we can be. And they are all supportive of one another in whatever role they fill each night.”
The Tigers have now scored 73 points in their last three games, using a high-octane offense and depth to their advantage.
“We actually want to play faster this year than what we did last year,” said Votaw. “We really believe that our depth is one of the things that we want to try accentuate. We believe that we can play fast and do that.”
Harris led the Fishers scoring against Elkhart with 12 points, while Olivia Smith scored 10 points.
On to Ball State
Hailey and Olivia Smith, the Tigers’ sensational senior twins, made news several weeks ago by announcing their commitment to Ball State University. Hailey Smith said that getting a chance to play close to home was a factor in their decision.
“When we got the offer from Ball State and we heard everything we wanted to hear on the calls, seeing the facility, it was definitely like, that’s where we wanted to be,” said Hailey Smith.
Olivia Smith agreed.
“Same thing as she said. They told us everything we wanted to hear. It was close to home, so my mom could come out to the games,” said Olivia Smith. “I knew I didn’t want to be that far away from my mom.”
Fishers will begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play with its next game, hosting Westfield Friday at the Tiger Den. The Tigers won the HCC championship last season, and Votaw said her team is excited to compete to defend their title.
“Our conference is the toughest in the state, top to bottom, and it’s exciting to get to go out every night and play against people of such a high caliber, such great coaches,” said Votaw. “The challenge is something we’re excited about.”
“Every conference game, we can’t take lightly,” said Hailey Smith. “We got to come out prepared, make sure we’re ready. Watching film in practice, just making sure we’re locked in through the whole week to prepare for games.”
FISHERS 73, COLUMBUS EAST 46
Fishers FG FT TP PF
Joirdyn Smith 2 0-0 5 3
Talia Harris 5 0-0 11 0
Alycia Triplett 3 0-0 6 1
Hailey Smith 6 6-7 18 0
Olivia Smith 6 3-6 15 1
Karina Scott 1 0-0 3 3
Kate Thomas 2 1-3 5 1
Nevaeh Dickman 0 4-4 4 3
Allison Scheu 3 0-0 6 1
Ava Carter 0 0-0 0 1
Totals 28 14-20 73 14
Score by Quarters
Columbus East 16 8 13 9 – 46
Fishers 17 18 23 15 – 73
Fishers 3-pointers (3): Scott, J. Smith, Harris.
FISHERS 73, ELKHART 45
Fishers FG FT TP PF
Joirdyn Smith 3 0-0 6 1
Talia Harris 5 0-1 12 0
Alycia Triplett 3 1-1 7 1
Hailey Smith 2 5-6 9 1
Olivia Smith 3 3-5 10 2
Karina Scott 3 0-0 9 0
Kate Thomas 3 2-3 8 1
Allison Scheu 1 3-3 5 1
Ava Carter 1 2-2 4 2
Nevaeh Dickman 1 0-0 3 2
Totals 25 16-21 73 11
Score by Quarters
Elkhart 11 9 11 14 – 45
Fishers 23 18 21 11 – 73
Fishers 3-pointers (6): Scott 3, Harris, Dickman, O. Smith.