The REPORTER
Last night’s regular season finale for Noblesville proved to hopefully be the momentum that the Millers will need heading into next week’s state tournament.
Noblesville would start off on the right foot and was able to do what it took to fend off the host Arabians for a 62-49 win.
It was obvious from her first shot swishing that Ava Shoemaker was going to have herself a night. The senior forward found her spot on the wing and got into a groove on the way to scoring a career-high 29 points.
Shoemaker got the Miller scoring started with a three and drained three more from outside-the-arc in the first. Fellow senior Reagan Wilson also knocked down a trey in the quarter and a pair of free throws for a 21-13 lead.
In a low-scoring second, Noblesville put up 10 to Pendleton Heights’ eight to get it to a double-digit halftime lead of 31-21.
The Arabians came out in the second half playing better defense. They got some shots to fall and took advantage of some Miller miscues for a 13-13 third. Noblesville still found itself up 44-34.
The Millers were able to hold off Pendleton Heights, outscoring the home team 18-15 for a 62-49 win to close out the regular season on a high note.
The win gives Noblesville its third in a row and seventh in their last eight.
Noblesville is known for its defensive prowess, mainly their ability to trap, whether three-quarter or in the half-court. The Millers had it down to a science on Thursday once again, forcing the Arabians into 30 turnovers (19 steals).
Ava Shoemaker led all scorers with a career-high 29 points, connecting on 6-for-12 from three-point range, making 7-of-8 free throws and grabbing seven rebounds. Reagan Wilson had 14, seven assists, three steals and also sank seven of her eight from the foul line. C.C. Quigley had a solid night with 11 points, six boards and three steals.
Despite fouling out with 3:30 left in the game, Meredith Tippner scored six, corralled nine rebounds, four assists and a team-leading six steals.
Pendleton Heights (14-9) will host the seven-team field in Class 4A Sectional 9 next week. The Arabians play in the second game on Wednesday against Muncie Central (2-19).
Noblesville (14-8) drew the second bye game at Hamilton Southeastern in Class 4A Sectional 8. The Millers play in the second semifinal on Friday against the winner of Carmel (10-11) and Fishers (16-5).
NOBLESVILLE 62, PENDLETON HEIGHTS 49
Noblesville FG FT TP PF
Ava Shoemaker 8-18 7-8 29 2
Reagan Wilson 3-12 7-8 14 1
Meredith Tippner 2-11 2-2 6 5
Kate Rollins 0-1 0-0 0 4
C.C. Quigley 4-6 3-4 11 3
Ally Hutchinson 1-3 0-0 2 1
Brookelyn Grayson 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 18-51 19-22 62 16
Score by Quarters
Noblesville 21 10 13 18 – 62
Pendleton Heights 13 8 13 15 – 49
Noblesville 3-point shooting (7-19) Shoemaker 6-12, Wilson 1-4, Tippner 0-3.
Noblesville rebounds (25) Tippner 9, Shoemaker 7, Quigley 6, Wilson 1, team 2.