By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – Noblesville was dealt a tough loss on Senior Night Friday, as the Millers fell to Perry Meridian 28-24 in front of a packed crowd at The Mill.
The Falcons’ Jayden Taylor hit a 3-pointer to start the game, which Noblesville answered by going on a 6-0 run thanks to its seniors. Eagan Keever-Hill got the Millers on the board with a putback, Zack Johnson made a layin and Xavier Hines scored off a Jordan Schmidt steal.
Perry Meridian scored seven straight points to go up 10-6, but Johnson ended the first quarter with a layin to keep Noblesville within 10-8. The Falcons held the lead for the entire second period, but Johnson again had the last word: His 3-pointer cut a six-point Perry Meridian lead to three, 16-13 at halftime.
“We knew it was going to be this type of a game,” said Millers coach Brian McCauley. “They’re very methodical, they’re very patient.”
After trading baskets for most of the third quarter, the Millers took the lead late in the period. Senior Alex Hancock opened the third with a layin, after which Taylor hit a 3 for the Falcons. Hines matched that with his own 3-pointer, but a basket by Mason Corsaro put Perry Meridian up 21-18.
Johnson hit two free throws to cut the Falcons’ lead to one, then Hines scored off a steal to get Noblesville ahead 22-21 with around 2:35 left in the quarter. The score would stay there at the end of the period, and well into the fourth.
Johnson got the first basket of the fourth quarter with a floater to put the Millers up 24-21, but the Falcons would not Noblesville score again. Corsaro hit a 3 to tie the game, and Perry Meridian made 4 of 6 free throws in the final 21.6 seconds to clinch the win.
Johnson scored 13 points, while Hines scored seven. Johnson, Hines and Hancock all collected three rebounds.
“Proud of our seniors,” said McCauley. “They’re a great group of young men. They’ve done a great job this year.”
The Millers finished the regular season 13-9. Noblesville now turns its attention the Carmel sectional, where it will take on the winner of Tuesday’s Hamilton Southeastern-Westfield game in the first Friday (March 1) semi-final contest.
“Disappointing loss, but the good news is the sun will come up tomorrow, and everybody in the state is 0-0 after tonight,” said McCauley.
Perry Meridian 28, Noblesville 24
Noblesville FG FT TP PF
Xavier Hines 3-10 0-0 7 0
Zack Johnson 4-10 4-4 13 2
Alex Hancock 1-3 0-0 2 2
Eagan Keever-Hill 1-3 0-0 2 2
Jordan Schmidt 0-5 0-0 0 0
Alex Hunt 0-0 0-2 0 4
Brendon Fisher 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 9-31 4-6 24 10
Score by Quarters
Perry Meridian 10 6 5 7 – 28
Noblesville 8 5 9 2 – 24
Noblesville 3-point shooting (2-13) Hines 1-6, Johnson 1-3, Schmidt 0-3, Keever-Hill 0-1.
Noblesville rebounds (15) Johnson 3, Hines 3, Hancock 3, Schmidt 2, Keever-Hill 2, Fisher 1, Hunt 1.
Noblesville senior Xavier Hines scored seven points for the Millers during their game with Perry Meridian Friday at The Mill. Hines is one of five seniors on this year’s Noblesville team. At right is senior Jordan Schmidt. (Kent Graham)
Zack Johnson scored 13 points for Noblesville. (Kent Graham)