Noblesville 47, Westfield 45

Westfield got off to a quick start, mostly on the back of Sam Bishop's offensive output and Alex Romack's defensive presence around the basket.  Noblesville struggled to finish around the paint for all of the first half but were able to create turnovers and contested shots in the third quarter, leading to transition opportunities.  Ultimately, Noblesville was able to make life for Romack, 6'7" senior forward, equally tough in paint on the other end, grabbing the lead and hanging on to a win.

  • Bishop, 6'3" senior guard, more known for his outside, drove to score on a multiple occasions in the first half.  It was probably most productive half, scoring wise, as a varsity player, 12 points.  
  • Trey Buchanan, 6'0" junior point guard, never got going for Westfield, and he had decent looks with all of the attention paid to Romack.
  • Romack's game started to look a like his game vs. Carmel.  He functioned mostly on the perimeter until the 4th quarter.  Attention paid to him allowed Bishop to get down hill.  Noblesville doubled and dug down on him any time he had his back to the basket mid-post and in.  He was able to find cutters and kick out to shooters, but just not enough makes to deter Noblesville
    • Hunter Walston, 6'6" junior forward, was outstanding as the primary defender on Romack.  He never let Romack displace and guarded Romack's spins well.  
  • Noblesville got going in the third quarter as they amped up their pressure.  It let to live ball turnovers and misses, which led to transition baskets.  The main benefactor for that was Luke Almadovar, 6'3" senior guard.
    • Almadovar is tremendous in open space and easily shifts his way around one or two defenders.  He didn't shoot well in first half from 3PT, but he hit a couple in the second half gave Noblesville a bit of confidence.

Zionsville 59, Fishers 53

We got the personal matchup we wanted, as Logan Imes was Jalen Haralson's primary defender, and Jalen Haralson was Logan Imes' primary defender.  It was a matchup that was truly highlighted in the second half.  Zionsville had lost their first game of the sectional the last two seasons, so as Fishers built a three possession lead, with Zionsville's Nick Richart on the bench in foul trouble much of the first three quarters, there was this, "Oh no, not again moment."

Imes took over.

  • We've talked a fair amount about Imes' struggles the last two years in sectional games.  The 6'4" senior guard, headed to Penn State, struggled to be a shot maker at time, which as a junior, even into the first half of his senior season, was noticeable.  He struggled at times to get his own shot.  That has improved as this season has worn on, and it was in full display tonight.
    • Notable is, Haralson is an outstanding defender and almost always draws the opponent's best player.  Imes kind of toyed with him, especially snaking him in ball screens, stepping into his body before changing directions.  These are physical plays that at 6'4" Imes should be able to produce and will in the Big 10.
    • He also shot well.  Imes has always tracked well as a catch and shoot.  Even times when he has struggled, his mechanics were good.  It was mostly about catching the ball shot ready and elevating with confidence.  Shooting off the move is a progressive step, and while he's been excellent from mid-range, he was making Fishers pay for going under screens last night.
  • Defensively, he was equally physical with Haralson and did so without fouling.  His defense has always been viewed as an asset, but in a big moment, he came up big.  We had Haralson for 13 points in the first half, he finished with 17.
  • Haralson to his credit became a playmaker, and the main benefactor was Keenan Garner.  The 6'6" junior forward was a great ball screen partner for Haralson.  Garner scored 12 of his 18 points in the second quarter, and it included two 3PTers.
  • Richart struggled to get anything going, but he was big when it counted.  Battling foul trouble in the first three quarters, he was able to play the final five minutes or so loosely.  He cleaned up misses on both ends, including a big tip in on one of Imes' rare misses in the second half.  He did struggle with Garner at the rim in the second half.  He contested the first shot effectively, but Garner was strong enough to get his rebound and make the next play.
  • Fishers' junior shooter, Taden Metzger, never really got going.  His only basket came in the second quarter on a DHO.  He caught and fired, draining it.  He was hounded all game.

If it seemed like Imes dominated the game, he did.  He was the aggressor on both ends of the floor and in complete command offensively for Zionsville. 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR