The REPORTER
The Carmel boys basketball team dealt Fishers its first loss of the season last Saturday, as the Greyhounds beat the Tigers 54-46 at the Eric Clark Activity Center.
The opening quarter finished in a 9-9 tie, with Ryan Clevenger scoring four points for Carmel. The ‘Hounds jumped ahead 22-16 by halftime. Alex Couto and Evan Harrell both had five points in the second period, including one 3-pointer each. Millen McCartney had two 3s during the first half for Fishers.
Couto nailed another 3 early in the third quarter to push Carmel ahead 29-18. The Tigers stormed back to tie the game at 29-29, with a Justin Kirby dunk pulling Fishers back to even. The period ended in a 31-31 tie; Keenan Garner had nine points in the quarter.
The Greyhounds went on an 8-0 spurt to start the fourth period and held the lead from there. Couto took over in that quarter, scoring 14 points, including a 7 of 8 performance from the free-throw line. Fishers battled until the end, but two Couto foul shots sealed the game.
Couto finished with 26 points, making three 3s and going 11 of 14 from the line. Harrell scored 11 points and pulled five rebounds. Clevenger dished out six assists and led the rebounds with six.
Garner reached double-double status with 17 points and 10 rebounds and also blocked seven shots. McCartney drained four 3s for 12 points.
Carmel is 8-9 and hosts another unbeaten team, Lawrence North on Thursday. Fishers is 5-0 in HCC play and 16-1 overall. The Tigers host Westfield Thursday in another conference game, then travel to O’Fallon, Ill. on Saturday to take on Homewood-Flossmoor, one of Illinois’ top teams.