Carmel inched ahead early and slowly pulled away in the second quarter.  They opened the third with a 11-3 run, and while there were some dicey possessions vs. LN's press, Carmel never really looked back.

  • Carmel opened 7-9 from the 3PT line, a span that stretched into 3rd quarter.  Will Leary and Sam Orme each had two.  They compounded it by not giving up much on the offensive glass in the first half.  Carmel was winning the possession game.
    • DJ Hughes started to get more active on the offensive glass in the 3rd quarter, but he picked up his 3rd and 4th fouls in short order around the 3 minute mark of the 3rd quarter.  He sat but came back in late in the 3rd and started the 4th.  He fouled out 10 seconds into the 4th.
  • Carmel also set the tone early on defense.  Both teams did really, but Carmel was much better at taking away what LN wanted, paint touches.  Whether it's Shamar Avance penetration or Hughes post ups, the lane was off limits the entire first half. 
    • Carmel's Connor Goia did a great job of not letting Avance turn the corner.  He's a vastly underrated defender, and along with Josh Whack, Carmel has two of the best perimeter defenders in the state.
  • In the absence of the injured Brian Waddell, Peter Suder had to step up.  He's been more assertive since Christmas off the dribble.  Easier to do as teams have to pick their poison between Waddell and him.  Suder remained aggressive both in terms of scoring and creating.
  • LN is much better when it plays fast, and it's puzzling why they don't the entire game.  Not just pressing, but advancing the ball.  It was a constant walk until the 4th quarter.  They were able to capitalize on a couple of quicker possessions, but it was too late.
    • CJ Gunn needs more touches.  Credit Whack for much of it, but they do little for him off the ball or with it. 
  • As they extended their pressure, both in the half court and back court, Carmel made them pay on the back side.

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