(LEFT) Noblesville’s Baron Walker scored 21 points for the Millers during their Sectional 8 win over Zionsville on Tuesday. (RIGHT) Evan Magsamen scored six points for Noblesville. (Joshua Herd)
By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – Noblesville coach Scott McClelland gave three reasons why his Millers won their sectional opener on Tuesday: “Resiliency, resolve and toughness.”
Because of that, McClelland said, “we get to play again Friday.”
Host Noblesville won a dramatic first-round game over Zionsville 42-38 at The Mill to advance to the Friday Sectional 8 semifinal. The Millers played a tremendous first quarter to hold a double-digit lead, then held on as the Eagles made a furious comeback in the second half.
Noblesville skipped off to an 8-0 lead during the first three minutes, with four points from Adam Fine and two more from Baron Walker and Max Flanagan. Walker then took over the last part of the first quarter, pouring in seven points.
The Millers led 15-4 at the end of the period, then Evan Magsamen opened the second quarter with a layin to give Noblesville a 17-4 lead. Zionsville made a 6-0 run that took up the majority of the period, but a 3-pointer from Luke Fogg was the last word of the half. The Millers led 20-10 at halftime.
McClelland credited Walker with making the correct read of getting Fogg the ball to make the triple, calling it “huge.”
“He’s played really well these last four or five games,” McClelland said of Walker. “We’re going to need him to play well Friday night.”
“All that does is give us momentum,” said Walker. “It’s on our home court. We take pride in that.”
Before that, the Millers had to get past the Eagles’ comeback. Camden Moore provided a preview of that by scoring five of Zionsville’s six points in the second quarter. Moore continued his run in the third period, draining two 3s on his way to eight points during that quarter.
Walker scored all five of Noblesville’s third-period points, and the Millers led 25-23 going into the fourth. Moore tied the game with a layin, but a quick five-point burst from Noblesville – two Magsamen free throws and a Flanagan triple – pushed the Millers ahead 30-25.
“We got some contributions from different guys and we’re going to need that if we want to keep advancing,” said McClelland.
Zionsville got hot from long range during the next few minutes, with Zackery Green hitting a 3, then Nick Snively made two 3s. Snively’s second triple pushed the Eagles ahead for the first time, 36-35 with 2:40 left.
But that would turn out to be Zionsville’s only lead. After that, Walker took over the game.
The Butler University recruit immediately answered with a 3 to push Noblesville ahead 38-36. Rylon Gore tied the game with a layin, and Walker stepped up again, making an and-1 to put the Millers up for good, 41-38. Things weren’t done yet, but Walker made a steal with under 25 seconds left. Walker was later fouled and made a free throw to clinch the game.
“It’s just a game of runs, but we’ve been put in this situation,” said Walker. “The coaches put us in certain situations in practice, being down or being up and just having to maintain the lead and control the game.”
Walker finished the game with 21 points. Flanagan collected nine rebounds to go with his eight points, while Magsamen scored six.
“I was really proud of Luke Fogg,” said McClelland. “I thought he was outstanding all night with his half-court defense. He did a great job on Moore.”
It was also the fifth game this season where the Millers held an opponent under 40 points.
“I think our defense has improved tremendously all year,” said McClelland. “It really has. It’s given us a chance.”
Noblesville is 13-10 and plays Carmel in the first semifinal game on Friday.
