By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – Opening night for Hamilton County boys basketball featured a matchup of two highly-ranked teams Tuesday at the Eric Clark Activity Center.
Carmel, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press’ Class 4A pre-season poll, hosted 4A No. 3 Zionsville. The game was worthy of the ranking of both teams, with the Greyhounds winning 66-61. Carmel, last year’s 4A state runner-up, emerged from a back-and-forth first quarter to hold a comfortable lead during the middle periods, then held off a run by the Eagles in the fourth quarter.
“It’s a really good team,” said Carmel coach Ryan Osborn of Zionsville. “They return some good players from last year.”
The first basket of the Greyhounds’ season went to senior Luke Heady, who hit a 3-pointer about a minute into the game. Zionsville held the lead for most of the first period, going up 14-10 after Purdue recruit, senior Isaiah Thompson nailed a 3.
“He’s a dynamic scorer and can create his own shot,” said Osborn. “If he gets hot deep, he can be a tough guard, too.”
Eagles senior Nathan Childress scored seven points in the first period, although Carmel came back to lead 15-14 by the end of the quarter. Back-to-back layins by Heady and senior Andrew Owens gave the ‘Hounds the lead. Earlier, junior Robert Fry came off the bench to score five points, including a 3-pointer.
With the score 17-17 in the second period, Carmel took control with a 9-0 run. Senior John Michael Mulloy, who officially signed with Butler early in the week, scored the majority of points in the run with seven, including 5 of 6 free throws.
Osborn said his team settled for 3-pointers early, but then began screening Mulloy into the post, and that got him more touches, and more involved in the offense.
“We had to be more patient, but when we were more patient, he got more touches and a lot of times in good scoring positions,” said Osborn. “He did a great job of just sticking with it and didn’t get frustrated, didn’t force shots, didn’t force plays. He was a good leader for us tonight.”
The non-Mulloy points of that run were scored by a freshman, Pete Suder. The 6-foot-2 Suder got his first-ever points with a layin midway through the quarter. He scored again late to give the ‘Hounds a 28-19 lead.
“Suder’s good,” said Osborn. “And he’s a good player, and he’s a great kid. Fits in with our guys right away. He does little things well and complements everybody.”
Childress answered Suder’s layin with a basket, but senior Karsten Windlan gave Carmel the last word by hitting a 3 right before the buzzer, putting the Greyhounds ahead 31-21.
Zionsville chipped away at Carmel’s lead in the third period, but the ‘Hounds were still up 44-38 going into the fourth. Carmel surged ahead 58-46 with 3:10 left in the game before Zionsville made one last push, a 13-5 run to get within 63-59. Senior Brandon Vernon hit a 3-pointer for the last points of that run.
But Carmel held on thanks to its defense. Fry made one more free throw, then Suder made a nice play, evading a handful of Zionsville defenders to make a huge layin that sealed the game.
Four Greyhounds finished the night in double figures. Mulloy scored 15 points and also pulled 12 rebounds, giving him the first of what will likely be many double-doubles for the season. Mulloy also dished out four assists.
Suder scored 14 points, Heady had 13 (including 6 of 8 from the free throw line in the final 3:10 of the game), and Windlan scored 12.
Carmel will play its next game on Friday, Nov. 30, when it hosts Lawrence Central for the first Metropolitan Conference game for both teams.
Carmel 66, Zionsville 61
Carmel FG FT TP PF
Pete Suder 7-9 0-3 14 4
Luke Heady 3-4 6-10 13 5
Andrew Owens 2-5 0-0 4 2
Ben Frische 0-1 0-0 0 1
John Michael Mulloy 4-7 7-10 15 4
Robert Fry 2-2 1-4 6 1
Karsten Windlan 3-9 5-5 12 2
Cole Brady 1-1 0-0 2 0
Totals 22-38 19-32 66 19
Score by Quarters
Zionsville 14 7 17 23 – 61
Carmel 15 16 13 22 – 66
Carmel 3-point shooting (3-10) Windlan 1-4, Heady 1-2, Fry 1-1, Suder 0-1, Owens 0-1, Frische 0-1.
Carmel rebounds (25) Mulloy 12, Windlan 3, Heady 3, Suder 2, Owens 2, Fry 2, Frische 1.