Carmel used an outstanding defensive effort to clinch at least a share of the Metropolitan Conference championship on Thursday, beating Lawrence North 63-49 at a clash of two top-five Class 4A teams at the Wildcats’ gym.
The No. 4-ranked Greyhounds outscored No. 2 LN in each of the first three quarters. Carmel led 8-5 after the first after Wil Leary hit a basket at the buzzer, then extended its lead to 19-11 by halftime, with Peter Suder hitting a 3-pointer.
It was Sam Orme’s turn in the third quarter, as he made two 3s. The Greyhounds pushed their lead up to 20 at one point before finishing the period ahead 38-20. The Wildcats turned up their offense in the fourth quarter by scoring 29 points, but Carmel responded with 25 points, including a Bryce Beery layin that stopped LN’s momentum after it had cut the Greyhounds’ lead to 13 points.
Suder scored 15 points and also had eight rebounds and eight assists. Orme and Leary both made three 3s on their way to 11 points, with Beery scoring 10. Josh Whack added eight points, while Connor Gioia had six assists and five rebounds.
Carmel is now 6-0 in MIC play and 16-1 overall. The Greyhounds are back on the road tonight, playing at Fishers.
CARMEL 63, LAWRENCE NORTH 49
Carmel FG FT TP PF
Connor Gioia 0-2 2-2 2 0
Josh Whack 2-2 3-4 8 2
Peter Suder 5-13 3-4 15 1
Sam Orme 4-6 0-0 11 2
Charlie Williams 2-2 0-0 4 4
Nick Frische 1-1 0-0 2 3
Wil Leary 4-6 0-0 11 1
Bryce Beery 4-4 2-4 10 2
Totals 22-36 10-14 63 15
Score by Quarters
Carmel 8 11 19 25 – 63
Lawrence North 5 6 9 29 – 49
Carmel 3-point shooting (9-12) Orme 3-5, Leary 3-3, Suder 2-3, Whack 1-1.
Carmel rebounds (23) Suder 8, Gioia 5, Leary 3, Williams 3, Whack 1, Orme 1, Beery 1, Frische 1.