University’s boys ran their record to 11-1 last Saturday night with a hard fought 61-53 win at Cardinal Ritter.
Cain had 29 points and Ozlowksi 20 as University led throughout the second half and fought off a fourth quarter charge from the Raiders to end Ritter’s five-game winning streak.
Cain scored 23 of his points in a first half that was a back-and-forth affair until late in the quarter. Ozlowski put University on top for good at 27-26. Cain scored on a layin off a steal and added a dunk following a Bryce Gray steal. Another steal can layin by Cain put University up 33-26 before Ritter hit a long three pointer at the buzzer.
Ritter cut the University lead to two in the third quarter but the Blazers held strong and stretched the lead back to 48-40 after three. Ozlowski had a steal and two-handed dunk with eight seconds left in the period. The 6-4 senior had nine points in the quarter.
The Blazers held their largest lead at 50-40 on a pair of Bracey free throws. Ritter got within 52-50 before Bracey scored with 2:44 left for a 54-50 lead. Ozlowski scored with 57 seconds left and added a free throw with 39 seconds for a 57=51 lead. After a Ritter basket, Bracey and Cain each hit two foul shots to close out the scoring.
Cain, Ozlowski and Seth Hogg led University in rebounding with six each. Cain had a team-high five steals.
“I was very pleased with how we competed tonight from the opening tip to the final horn,” said Lafferman. “We knew Ritter would provide tough ball pressure and they have incredible team speed. I thought our guys did a good job handling pressure and adjusting to the various speeds of the game. Sabien Cain had another outstanding performance and I thought Andre Ozlowski and Kahmi Bracey did a great job getting big baskets when we needed them, especially in the second half.”
The Trailblazers finished off the week with three road wins. University is now off until Jan. 25 when it travels to Bishop Chatard to take on the Trojans.
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Carmel got a big rebound win last Saturday, traveling to Fort Wayne Snider and returning with a 74-35 victory. The Greyhounds blasted through the first quarter to lead 23-11 and would outscore the Panthers in each of the four periods. Carmel scored 40 points in the second half while holding Snider to 15.
Orme led the way with 17 points, the first of four Greyhounds in double figures. White had 16 points, Jared Bonds scored 15 and Couto contributed 11 points. Orme and Bonds both pulled nine rebounds, while Couto dished out five assists. Orme had two blocked shots.
Carmel is 9-5 and plays at Pike Friday, then hosts Brownsburg on Saturday.
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Noblesville traveled to Connersville last Saturday and fell 57-46 to a tough Spartans team. Connersville led 9-8 after the first quarter and 28-25 at halftime. The Spartans continued to add to their lead in the second half, outscoring the Millers 17-11 in the fourth period.
Fine led Noblesville with 19 points, while Almodovar drained three 3s on his way to 16 points. Roberts added five points, with Aiden Brewer, Bean and Luke Etchison all scoring two.
The Millers are 2-1 in conference play and 9-4 overall. Noblesville travels to Franklin Central on Friday for an HCC game, then hosts rival Hamilton Heights on Saturday.
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Hamilton Southeastern played at Anderson Saturday, and nearly made a comeback before falling 71-66. The Indians led 20-19 after one quarter and 35-31 at halftime.
Anderson led 52-47 after three periods, then took a 60-50 lead during the fourth. The Royals cut into that advantage during the fourth, but the Indians held on for the win.
Totten had an outstanding game, scoring 31 points. Stevenson reached double-double status with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Holman had 10 points. Hamilton handed out five assists and made four steals, while Miles had six assists and Papandria five.
Southeastern is 4-10 overall. The Royals play a conference game Friday at Zionsville, then host Mount Vernon Saturday.
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Last Saturday night will be a Senior Night that this year’s Guerin Catholic seniors won’t forget.
The Golden Eagles put together quite the offensive night in a 66-12 win over the Herron Achaeans.
Guerin Catholic got off to a tremendous start with a 31-4 lead after one. The offense lightened up a little in the second and the Golden Eagles held a 44-8 lead at halftime.
The second half helped Guerin Catholic cruise 22-4, holding Herron scoreless in the third for the final score of 66-12.
Guerin Catholic shot lights out, making 25 of their 36 field goal attempts, including an 11 for 18 team effort from three-point land for 61 percent.
Senior Kyle Shadoan led all scorers with 15 points, all from outside, sinking five of his six from downtown. Senior Kamea Chandler complimented with 11. Fellow senior Ty Sanders added seven, while Bryson Cardinal and Matthew Wagoner both added six and Max Thompson five.
Guerin Catholic (9-5) has won five of its last six and stays home for its next contest on Friday to face Brebeuf Jesuit (7-5) in a key Circle City Conference matchup.