Leading much of the first half, Carmel found themselves down at half time down by one, as Jalen Haralson, who hit a 3PTer as the 1st half ended, was starting to get on track.  Fishers hit two quick 3PTers to start the third quarter, pushing their run to nine straight points and their lead to seven, the largest lead any team had in the game.  Carmel was down seven again later in the third, and maybe it just wasn't their night.

However, Carmel responded, and from that point on the game was back and forth.  Ultimately, with Fishers, holding the ball for the final 1:38 in OT, called timeout with about 14 seconds left.  The whole gym knowing where the ball was going to end up, Carmel's Sam Orme jumped the pass, secured the steal and went in for the game winning layup.  A final desperation shot by Haralson fell short.

Here is a link to the final possession (hopefully the video is crisp)

  • Haralson didn't start off strong.  Carmel's Spencer White did a good job of not letting Haralson get down hill without letting him get comfortable on the catch.  However, White got into some foul trouble, especially in the 3rd quarter, giving Haralson an extra step on almost every catch.  
    • The extra step did two things for Haralson, which shows his potential.  It allowed him the extra room to build momentum on drives, and it allowed him time to get his feet still from the 3PT line.  From the 3PT line, he's still best suited as a stationary shooter.  He isn't yet coming off screens, driving into the catch up for a 3PTer.  
  • Surprisingly, Haralson, who was taking on the toughest defensive assignments as a freshman and has continued that in his sophomore season, struggled to keep Orme in front of him.  Orme had his way off the dribble, and in key moments Carmel did a great job of getting him in space.
    • Orme's driving complimented two big 3PTers in the 4th quarter and OT, both answering 3PTers by Fishers, keeping Carmel in one possession games.
  • Couto v. Metzger.  Alex Couto for Carmel and Fishers' Taden Metzger are both deadly from the 3PT line.  The two guarded each other most of the night, and Metzger did a great job of not giving Couto space.  Couto was solid defensively, but he struggled with Metzger as the ball screener for Haralson, as Metzger would ghost the screen or quickly sprint to separation.
    • Carmel did a better job in the fourth quarter of mucking that up by adding a third defender, typically Jared Bonds.
  • Sneaky adjustment of the night.  Bonds serving as Carmel's offensive initiator, not only taking advantage of a good full court matchup, as Fishers pressed the whole game, but also in the half court, getting down hill and creating shots.  
    • Bonds and Orme found each other often in those scenarios (see above, Orme driving Haralson).  

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