Carmel came almost all the way back in its season opener with Zionsville on Tuesday, forcing the host Eagles into overtime before falling 46-41.
Zionsville led 13-5 after the first quarter, but the defending Class 4A state champion Greyhounds cut that lead to 16-11 by halftime. The Eagles inched that lead back up to 24-17 after three quarters.
Carmel surged ahead to tie the game at 32-32 with a few seconds left, then Wil Leary hit a 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining to put the ‘Hounds up 35-32. But Zionsville made its own 3-pointer at the buzzer, sending the game into the extra period, where the Eagles outscored Carmel 11-6.
Leary led the Greyhounds with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Jackson Jannsen was next with 11 points and three 3s. Charlie Williams pulled five rebounds.
Carmel is back on the road Friday night, playing at Mason, Ohio.
ZIONSVILLE 46, CARMEL 41
(overtime)
Carmel FG FT TP PF
Peter Suder 2-7 2-2 7 2
Wil Leary 5-7 0-0 14 1
Jackson Jannsen 4-10 0-0 11 1
Conner Gioia 0-2 0-0 0 4
Charlie Williams 0-1 5-6 5 4
Brian Waddell 1-4 2-5 4 2
Nick Frische 0-0 0-0 0 1
Josh Whack 0-0 0-0 0 1
Totals 12-31 9-13 41 16
Score by Quarters
Carmel 5 6 6 18 6 – 41
Zionsville 13 3 8 11 11 – 46
Carmel 3-point shooting (8-18) Leary 4-6, Jannsen 3-8, Suder 1-2, Waddell 0-2.
Carmel rebounds (16) Williams 5, Suder 4, Waddell 4, Leary 2, Gioia 1.