Early on Zionsville seemed poised to take control of the game.  Their scoring opportunities were coming easier, and they were starting to exploit size advantages they had at the wing.  Both teams coming into this season major losses to graduation, relying heavily on underclassmen.  Zionsville is likely leaving with a better sense of their team identity.

  • Maguire Mitchell, 6'6" junior wing, had an outstanding opener for Zionsville.  He finished the game with 29, and he scored in about any way imaginable.  He connected on multiple 3pters, finished at and through the rim off the dribble, even scored in the post.  The only thing he didn't show tonight was a mid-range game, but he didn't really need to.  
    • Jackson Tielker, 6'0" junior guard, paired up with Mitchell early on scoring 11 points in the first quarter.  He ended with 13. 
  • Carmel does return its starting backcourt, but they're undersized, Ryan Clevenger, 5'10" senior and Alex Couto, 5'10" junior, which was a factor in key moments early on.  Mitchell and Drew Snively, 6'5" junior wing, both took back screens into post ups down low for basket.  
    • Clevenger was Carmel's best offense in the first quarter, keeping Carmel within striking distance early on. 
  • Snively, who entered the season with two D1 offers (Illinois State and Western Carolina), struggled early, including a little foul trouble.  By the time he got going, the game really wasn't in question.  However, he showed his versatility as well. 
  • Two players Carmel will rely on heavily to produce didn't tonight.  Couto and Evan Harrell, 6'8" sophomore forward.  
    • Couto wasn't able to take advantage of several switches, where he was in space vs. Zionsville's starting center.  He also wasn't his normal self coming off screens.  
    • Harrell had in between footwork most of the night, and he was never truly able to get straight line drives into opportunities.  He also needs to be a bigger factor on the glass.  
  • Carmel's main bright spots tonight were the play of Clevenger and Julien Vogt, 6'5" sophomore wing.  

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