By CRAIG ADKINS
INDIANAPOLIS – The 2021-22 Noblesville Millers did everything remotely possible to complete that last part of their season’s mission. They knew it would be a tough task against a Franklin team that had only lost once, but the dice rolled the way of the Millers on Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to the tune of a 76-52 victory, crowning them Class 4A state champions.
It was a game of runs and aside from the Grizzly Cubs’ 5-0 run to start the game, the majority of the momentum shifted towards Noblesville.
Noblesville went on a 7-0 run of its own and just like that, the Millers were up 7-5. Franklin would grab the lead again with a left side three from Erica Buening for 8-7.
Junior forward Dani Mendez snagged an offensive rebound and put it back up for two to make it 9-8 Millers. But, the Grizzly Cubs kept at it from the outside. Scarlett Kimbrell knocked down a three to regain the lead at 11-9.
“I just wanted to play hard and tough to help us out and get extra possessions for everyone else to score,” said Mendez.
“She’s Danimal,” stated Ashlynn Shade of Mendez. “She’s like Dennis Rodman, I mean she’s a different beast,” Shade continued about the emergence of Mendez’s play.
Reagan Wilson swished a 9-foot jumper to even things at 11-11 and that fueled the Millers for a run to end the quarter.
Ava Shoemaker drilled a three from the right corner and then Meredith Tippner got her first bucket. Mendez stole a pass near mid court and drove to the basket for a layup, helping give Noblesville a 7-2 run at the end of the first for an 18-13 lead.
The Millers’ feet would continue to stay on the gas pedal throughout the second quarter. This was where Ava would show what she’s got. The sophomore scored five of her 12 points in the second, including a driving layup and then another three, this time from the left corner. The younger Shoemaker’s second three would give Noblesville their first double-digit lead at 25-13 and it would keep growing.
“I am kind of a versatile kid, so the coaches put me in whatever position they want me to play. They put so much confidence in me and every single person on this team,” said sophomore utility player Ava Shoemaker.
“We’re just such a great team together, because we’re all best friends. On the court, all of my confidence is coming from my teammates and coaches encouraging all of us. It’s just team basketball, you can’t not be confident,” continued Ava on the confidence that fuels the Millers.
It seemed like Franklin just wasn’t able to adjust to the Millers’ up-tempo style of play, which helped Noblesville go on another run to close out the first half.
Ashlynn Shade flexed her offensive prowess in the second to keep extending the lead, scoring 14 in the frame to give her 16 at halftime.
“Going into this game, there were tons of positive nerves. Seeing them hit the first couple shots, we thought ok, we’re in this game now, let’s get it going,” said Shade on Franklin getting a quick start.
“Once we saw the ball going through the hoop, there was no stopping us,” continued Shade on how the Millers woke up quickly on offense to respond.
Shade showed how she can take over a game and seemed to do it with ease, guiding Noblesville throughout the second. Whether it was scoring or a key assist on a bounce pass down low to a wide open Tippner to keep the lead at a solid 17 late in the first half, the UConn-commit made things happen on both ends to keep things all but out of reach for Franklin.
Noblesville had answers to everything that the Grizzly Cubs brought back and that pushed the lead at halftime to 47-28.
There were contributions from every bit of the Millers’ depth.
“Everyone was scoring, because once I caught it in the post, I would just kick it out to them and they’re draining threes,” Shade on the offensive balance they had all night.
The Grizzly Cubs cut it back to a 10-point deficit at 53-43, but that didn’t last long.
At the start of the fourth, it was becoming more obvious that the Millers were destined to win their second state championship in school history.
“I think with our season and all of the adversity that we fought through, it mentally prepared us for these tournament games at this high level, it’s just great,” said Shade on the Millers’ play throughout the tournament trail.
After adding six to her total in the third, Shade got back at it with an old-fashioned three-point play just into the fourth and once again, Noblesville continued their game of runs.
The Millers had their biggest lead so far when junior guard Kaitlyn Shoemaker drove the left baseline for a reverse layup, forcing Franklin to take a timeout with 3:33 left.
Making plays like that, Shoemaker continues her “no fear” style of play, which won’t stop anytime soon.
“I just want to go out and have fun every game. It’s just been so fun to go out every game and play with my best friends,” stated Kaitlyn Shoemaker on her style of play.
“We have so many great basketball players on this team, so many people that can score and go play college basketball,” said Shoemaker complimenting her teammates.
“I decided from the beginning of the season that I wanted to play my role in every game, even if it’s not scoring a bunch of points. Maybe I can get some assists or speed the game up, help the team on defense,” continued the elder of the two Shoemakers.
With the game well in hand, Kaitlyn put the icing on the cake by sinking a three from the left wing to give Noblesville a 76-47 advantage. Head Coach Donna Buckley called a timeout to sub in the remaining reserves off of the bench with 1:25 left.
As there was heartbreak for Franklin on one bench, the Millers were celebrating on theirs as the clock wound down, culminating their season with a 76-52 win, capturing the 2022 Class 4A state championship.
The Noblesville community has been behind the Millers from the start of this journey through the state tournament. They were out in full force on Saturday night in downtown Indianapolis to witness something they hadn’t seen in 35 years, a girls basketball state championship.
The Millers (25-4) cap off a historical run to the championship by defeating ranked teams above and below them in the polls
Ashlynn Shade led all with a game-high 31 points, which ties the Class 4A record for most points scored in a championship game. Shade also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and had three steals. Reagan Wilson (also seven assists) and Ava Shoemaker each poured in 12. Dani Mendez had a solid nine points and eight boards, while Kaitlyn Shoemaker added seven to go with five rebounds.
The great thing for Noblesville is that they don’t have seniors on this squad. They all come back next season to defend their state championship.