The REPORTER
The Carmel boys basketball team’s season came to an end at the Class 4A New Castle regional on Saturday, March 14.
The No. 10-ranked Greyhounds lost to Fort Wayne Snider 54-46. Carmel was making its first appearance in a regional since 2021.
The Hounds got off to a strong start, leading 11-4 midway through the first quarter. Evan Harrell opened the game with a 3-pointer then made a layin to give Carmel its largest lead.
But the Panthers came back in the other part of the first period, tying the game at 13-13 by the end of the quarter. Julian Vogt nailed a 3 to start the second period, pushing the Hounds ahead 16-13.
Snider scored five quick points to take its first lead at 18-16. Vogt tied the game with a jumper, but a 3-pointer from Braylin Fertil gave the Panthers a 21-18 advantage.
Harrell struck back with five consecutive points (putback, free throw and layin), then two free throws from Ben Bremer moved Carmel ahead 25-22. But Trell Hogue finished the half with a triple and the score was tied 25-25 at the break.
The Panthers began the second half with a 7-0 run to lead 32-25. Snider would lead for all but a few seconds of the half. The Panthers were ahead 36-31 when Aiden Dickerson and Bremer threw in back-to-back 3s, moving Carmel ahead 37-36.
Snider’s Jordan Woods ended the third quarter with a dunk and that put the Panthers in front 38-37. Snider would stay ahead for the entire fourth quarter, although the Hounds kept things close for most of the period.
Two Hogue free throws gave the Panthers a 47-41 lead with 1:28 left. Vince Nover hit a 3, then Bremer made two free throws and Carmel was within 47-46. But the Panthers didn’t let the Greyhounds score again. Snider went 5 of 6 from the line during the final minute and Hogue finished the game with a dunk.
Harrell led Carmel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Bremer added 10 points, while Nover scored nine.
The Greyhounds finished their season 18-6.