By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – Noblesville went from one big game on Friday to another on Saturday, and the result was the same: A victory.
The Class 4A No. 5 Millers overcame a slow start, then rolled through the second half to a 59-47 win over 4A No. 7 Homestead in a game at The Mill. Noblesville trailed early in the first quarter, but used its stellar defense and balance to take care of the previously unbeaten Spartans, while the Millers stayed unbeaten themselves.
The Millers trailed 13-5 in the first quarter before ending the period with an 8-0 run, working their way back to 13-13 at the quarter buzzer. Reagan Wilson scored the first four points of the run, then Meredith Tippner put in the last four points.
“We came out a little flat,” said Noblesville coach Donna Buckley. “We need to put more pressure on them and early we didn’t do that, got down eight. Once we got them, it was a huge swing and then I felt good about where we were.”
Ali Stephens’ free throw put Homestead up 14-13 early in the quarter, but Ava Shoemaker answered that with a traditional three-point play. The Millers were then up 16-14 and never trailed again, although Homestead tied the game two more times.
With the score 20-20, Dani Mendez made two free throws, then Reagan Wilson nailed a 3-pointer. The Spartans got to within 25-23 by halftime, then opened the third period with a 7-0 stretch. Ava Shoemaker drilled a 3, then Mendez hit two more free throws before scoring off a steal.
“Our kids were doing a great job of getting the ball in the paint, and they were settling for 3s, and that’s the difference in the game,” said Buckley.
Emma Reust ended the run with a 3, but another quick 6-0 hit put the Millers into a double-digit lead at 38-26. Mendez made two more foul shots, then Tippner added four points.
“Those two in the paint were awesome,” said Buckley. “C.C. (Quigley) came in and gave us really good minutes as well off the bench in the paint. Our other kids were able to get looks, easy looks because they had to double inside on those kids. It created opportunities for our guards to get some open looks as well.”
Noblesville led 38-31 after three quarters, and stayed comfortably in front for the entire fourth period. Kaitlyn Shoemaker had eight points, including a triple, while Wilson drained her second 3 of the night.
The Millers’ balance told the tale. Tippner earned a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Wilson and Mendez both had 12 points; Mendez was 6-of-6 from the line and collected five rebounds. Tippner also dished out five assists.
The Millers are 5-0 and host Carmel on Tuesday.
NOBLESVILLE 59, HOMESTEAD 47
Noblesville FG FT TP PF
Kaitlyn Shoemaker 2-5 3-4 8 2
Ava Shoemaker 3-8 1-1 8 4
Reagan Wilson 3-13 4-6 12 3
Meredith Tippner 7-14 5-6 19 4
Dani Mendez 3-4 6-6 12 5
Brooklyn Ely 0-0 0-0 0 0
Kate Rollins 0-2 0-1 0 1
C.C. Quigley 0-2 0-0 0 0
Totals 18-48 19-24 59 19
Score by Quarters
Homestead 13 10 8 16 – 47
Noblesville 13 12 13 21 – 59
Noblesville 3-point shooting (4-19) Wilson 2-5, A. Shoemaker 1-5, K. Shoemaker 1-3, Tippner 0-4, Rollins 0-2.
Noblesville rebounds (29) Tippner 11, Mendez 5, Wilson 4, Quigley 4, A. Shoemaker 2, Rollins 2, K. Shoemaker 1