By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – Everybody did their job for the Millers on Tuesday night.
The Noblesville boys basketball team opened play at Class 4A Sectional 8 with a convincing 67-49 win over Zionsville at The Mill. The No. 2-ranked Millers broke away from the Eagles after a tight first quarter and used great balance to easily advance to Friday night’s first sectional semifinal game.
“It’s a nice luxury that we do have that depth and balance,” said Noblesville coach Scott McClelland. “We’ve seen it this year over and over.”
The Millers only trailed once in the game, down 3-2 in the first quarter. Baron Walker, who scored Noblesville’s first basket, got his team on top with two free throws, then Aiden Brewer made a layin for a 6-3 lead.
Zionsville tied the game on a 3-pointer, the first of four ties during the opening period. Walker stepped up again at the end of the quarter, with a layin to give the Millers a 15-13 lead.
Noblesville started the second quarter with a 9-0 spurt, with four different players contributing to the run. Aaron Fine’s jumper finished the run and put the Millers ahead 24-13. Fine later drained a 3, and Noblesville led by double digits for the remainder of the game.
The Millers were up 30-18 at halftime. Walker opened the second half with a triple, the first of 23 points in the third quarter. Noblesville put its depth on display again during that period, as six players scored. Fine and TJ Davidson also hit 3s.
In the fourth quarter, the Millers made a final 8-0 run that led to their largest lead of the game at 67-41. Walston, Davidson and Fine all made layins, while Justin Curry threw down a dunk. Walston and Curry’s baskets moved them into double digits, something that Fine and Walker had already done by then.
Fine finished the game with 18 points. Walston, Walker and Curry all scored 11, with Walston dishing out four assists. Noblesville had balanced rebounding as well: Walston finished with eight, Will Smits collected six and Fine, Curry and Brewer all pulled four.
Noblesville coach Scott McClelland directs his team during the Millers’ victory. (Joshua Herd)
“We just got great dudes,” said McClelland. “We got really good guys that are unselfish. It’s a really nice luxury knowing that everybody just wants to get the win.”
McClelland also gave recognition to Luke Etchison, who helped out in practice by playing the role of Zionsville’s Maguire Mitchell, one of the Eagles’ best players.
“He just gave us a great look and he made our team better,” said McClelland.
“That’s a huge compliment,” said Etchison. “And honestly, I’m just glad I could help the team. It was so being Maguire this week and just playing ball.”
Noblesville improved to 21-2 and plays No. 3 Westfield in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday.
NOBLESVILLE 67, ZIONSVILLE 49
Noblesville FG FT TP PF
Hunter Walston 5-8 1-2 11 0
Justin Curry 4-9 3-3 11 2
Aiden Brewer 3-4 2-2 8 4
Baron Walker 4-6 2-2 11 3
Aaron Fine 8-14 0-2 18 3
TJ Davidson 2-2 0-0 5 0
Will Smits 1-2 0-0 2 3
Ryan Vetor 0-0 1-2 1 1
Adam Fine 0-0 0-0 0 0
Max Miller 0-0 0-0 0 0
Luke Etchison 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 27-45 9-13 67 16
Score by Quarters
Zionsville 13 5 15 16 – 49
Noblesville 15 15 23 14 – 67
Noblesville 3-point shooting (4-13) Aa. Fine 2-5, Walker 1-3, Davidson 1-1, Curry 0-3, Walston 0-1.
Noblesville rebounds (26) Walston 8, Smits 6, Aa. Fine 4, Curry 4, Brewer 4.