Hamilton Southeastern’s Varschon Clark scored 17 points for the Royals in their Sectional 8 win over Westfield Tuesday at Noblesville. (Joshua Herd)
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – Both Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield were clicking on offense from the opening tip in Sectional 8 play at Noblesville on Tuesday.
And shots were falling. Trading threes a few different times each in the first quarter, the Royals were able to take advantage of opportunities when points became available late in the second half, allowing them room to grow their lead to take down Westfield, 68-61.
Southeastern took a 19-15 lead after one. But it became a game of preventing turnovers offensively and forcing them on the defensive side for both squads.
“If somebody wants to see a game of runs, that was it,” said Westfield head coach Shane Sumpter. “One team would make a run and then the other would make a run. It seems like all games in Sectional 8 come down to these types of games.”
Westfield’s Drew Haffner scored 17 points for the Shamrocks. (Joshua Herd)
Sophomore Varschon Clark scored seven in the second, helping to keep HSE up by just enough in the second to cling to a 34-29 lead at halftime.
“I think we felt like we had an opportunity in the first half. We got a couple stops and took a couple bad shots and let them back in it, so we were disappointed in that,” said Hamilton Southeastern head coach Bob Allen.
The fast-paced, up and down the floor tempo didn’t let up in the second half.
Westfield began the second half on a mission. The Shamrocks went on a 10-2 run for a 39-36 lead and eventually led 51-48 at the end of the third.
“We thought there would be another opportunity to extend the lead and that never really happened in the second half,” Allen added.
Drew Haffner scored 10, along with Logan Sumpter and Brock Detamore put up six each for a 22-14 third, taking away those opportunities in the third.
Something clicked and the fourth belonged to the Royals. In a game like this, when a team can double up its opponent in any quarter, let alone the fourth, it takes advantage and that’s exactly what Hamilton Southeastern was able to do.
Landon Osswald scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth to help propel the Royals to a 20-10 final period, stretching things out in their favor for the seven-point first round win.
“Landon Osswald knocked down some big-time perimeter buckets for us to keep us in it,” said Allen.
HSE was able to keep Haffner from playing at his normal pace of 21 per contest. Haffner had a decent night offensively before fouling out, but the Royals made it difficult for the sharp-shooter.
“Defensively, Haffner’s an incredible player and I thought we did a good job on him, being physical, keeping him in check,” stated Allen.
Brock Detamore led the Rocks with 18, followed by Haffner with 17. Logan Sumpter scored nine of three triples and Luke Vandegriff eight to balance Westfield.
Westfield finishes its season at 13-9.
“There’s a lot of positive energy right now with the group,” Allen said. “We’re excited for another opportunity to play another game and keep going.”
The Royals were led by 23 from Osswald. Varschon Clark (17) and Luke Weemer (14) joined in double figures. Jack Jacobs also added eight.
Hamilton Southeastern (15-9) moves onto the second Friday semifinal against rival No. 1 Fishers (23-0) after Noblesville (13-10) meets up with Carmel (16-5) in the first semifinal at 6 p.m.
“They have great players. They have great athletes and a great coaching staff,” Allen said. “There’s a reason why they’ve won 53 regular season games in a row the past three years. We feel like we have confidence, winning eight straight, and we’re playing loose. We’re going in as an underdog, that’s fine, we find a way to battle. We’re excited for the opportunity. We know it’s going to be a tall task and we’re up for it.”
