HEAD: Millers battle before falling to No. 1 Lawrence Central, No. 6 BNL at Limestone Classic
The REPORTER
For the third straight season, the Noblesville girls basketball team headed down to Bedford to play in the Pete Pritchett Limestone Classic to begin their Christmas break from the classroom.
The day would end up being a tough one, playing two teams that are ranked in the top six in Class 4A.
The Millers were without the services of senior forward Ava Shoemaker and her 12.3 points per game, as she is out with an injury.
No. 1 Lawrence Central 55, Noblesville 45
Noblesville held its own against this week’s top-ranked team in Lawrence Central. Trailing just 9-8 after one period,
The Bears proved to be quite the quick opponent. LC extended its lead to 24-18 at halftime, thanks to Jaylah Lampley’s four shots made from downtown.
The Millers’ deficit grew to 11 after three quarters, trailing 40-29.
Noblesville tightened up its defense in the fourth and was able to chip away at the LC lead, but would fall short 55-45.
LC’s Lampley led all scorers with 23 points. Reagan Wilson had a team-high 14 for Noblesville, swishing 4-for-4 at the foul line. CC Quigley also got to double-figures with 11 on 5-of-6 field goals. Meredith Tippner was held to seven, but grabbed 10 rebounds and had four assists.
Consolation game: No. 6 Bedford North Lawrence 58, Noblesville 42
In what was anticipated to be the championship game matchup when the four-team field was set, both teams found themselves in the consolation game, still getting the chance to go head-to-head. The two Miss Basketball candidates in Reagan Wilson and BNL’s Chloe Spreen would be on display to try to lead their team to victory.
BNL grabbed an 11-8 edge through one frame. The Stars were able to hold the Millers back to keep a five-point lead at halftime, 26-21.
Noblesville trailed the host Stars 41-34 after three quarters, but they would fight back. Their trap and press on defense allowed them to cut into the BNL lead.
The Millers went on a 6-0 run to start the fourth and trimmed the margin to one at 41-40 with 5:58 left in the game.
But, Bedford North Lawrence would end the game on a 17-2 run on the way to a 58-42 win over the Millers.
All-state candidate Chloe Spreen led all with a game-high 17. Tori Nikirk (15) and Miley Sherrill (12) joined in double digits for BNL.
Meredith Tippner led the Millers with a team-high 14 to go along with eight boards and four assists. CC Quigley had another solid game with 12 on 5-of-10 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Fellow all-state candidate Reagan Wilson had just nine in the nightcap.
Noblesville (7-7) gets a break before getting back to action on Thursday in the Noblesville Holiday Tournament at The Mill. The Millers will take on Valparaiso (10-2) at 10 a.m., followed by Class 3A No. 1 Norwell (11-2) taking on Class 4A No. 4 Fort Wayne Snider (13-1). The consolation game tips off at 6 p.m. and the championship starts at 7:45 p.m.
LAWRENCE CENTRAL 55, NOBLESVILLE 45
Noblesville FG FT TP PF
Brookelyn Grayson 1 0-0 2 0
Reagan Wilson 4 4-4 14 2
Meredith Tippner 3 1-2 7 4
Kate Rollins 1 2-2 5 0
C.C. Quigley 5 1-2 11 1
Ally Hutchinson 2 0-0 4 3
Bri Gray 1 0-0 2 0
Totals 17 8-10 45 10
Score by Quarters
Noblesville 8 10 11 16 – 45
Lawrence Central 9 15 16 15 – 55
Noblesville 3-pointers (3) Wilson 2, Rollins.
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 58, NOBLESVILLE 42
Noblesville FG FT TP PF
Brookelyn Grayson 0 0-0 0 0
Reagan Wilson 4 0-0 9 2
Meredith Tippner 5 4-5 14 2
Kate Rollins 2 1-2 5 1
C.C. Quigley 5 2-4 12 1
Ally Hutchinson 1 0-0 0 2
Bri Gray 0 0-0 0 1
Totals 17 7-11 42 9
Score by Quarters
Noblesville 8 13 13 8 – 42
Bedford NL 11 15 15 17 – 58
Noblesville 3-pointers (1) Wilson.