The two juniors on Donna Keck's roster (Jessica Kiser and Brookelyn Barton) are the most experienced, followed by eight sophomores and three freshmen to make up the all-underclass Noblesville Millers.
Kiser, Barton, Becca Bergman and Erin Wood bring back four starters from last year's squad and with that kind of experience back, it should be a great year for Noblesville Miller basketball. With no seniors, some would think that this team would possibly lack the leadership it takes to come together and produce. It's become quite the opposite and only eight games into the season, which could prove to be a real eye-opener for all Noblesville basketball fans!
Noblesville 62, Indianapolis Tech 34 (at Tech: Nov. 6)
The Millers opened up their season jumping out to a 14-4 first quarter lead at Tech and led 22-12 at halftime. To make their presence even more felt at Arsenal Tech, Noblesville outscored the Titans 28-5 in the third quarter to extend the blowout to 50-17 after three. With everything on cruise control in the fourth, Keck's crew finished things off for a 62-34 season-opening victory. Sophomore Becca Bergman led all scorers with quite a game, netting 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and an remarkable eight steals to her credit. Jessica Kiser knotched herself a double-double to get her junior season going with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Erin Wood almost joined the double-double parade, but chipped in a great game with eight points, 11 rebounds and three steals.
Noblesville 55, 3A#4 Hamilton Heights 46 (The Mill: Nov.10)
It was a game between two old county rivals that went back-and-forth and completely lived up to its billing. The two haven't played since the 2004-05 season, which Noblesville won at Hamilton Heights that year, 35-25. It was a tight one throughout, to say the least. The Millers and Huskies battled for 32 minutes and they had the crowd at The Mill on the edge of their seats. The two tied 9 times and there were 18 lead changes before Noblesville finally closed out the then-3A#4 Huskies.
Heights led 11-10 after one quarter, thanks to eight Miller fouls that led to the Huskies going 8-for-10 from the charity stripe. Three ties and six lead changes gave the crowd something to keep compelled in the first.
The second quarter became like a chess match on both ends of the floor. What it really came down to in the second frame was the turnover battle. Noblesville committed 7 turnovers to Hamilton Heights' 6 and that gave the Huskies a slight edge for a 19-18 halftime lead.
Noblesville took the third quarter 13-12 with Becca Bergman providing six of her game-high 15, but it didn’t happen without the lead shifting four times. After three, things were knotted up at 31-31.
The 4th is where Noblesville forced Hamilton Heights into panic mode. The in-your-face defense of the Millers forced seven turnovers and 12 fouls, resulting in Noblesville going 15-of-19 from the free throw line en route to NHS upsetting the then-3A#4 ranked Huskies, 55-46. Junior forward Jessica Kiser was very pivotal with her leadership and her 8-for-10 free throw shooting in the fourth to give her 13 points on the night.
4A#8 Westfield 46, Noblesville 41 (at Westfield: Nov. 13)
It’s always a tough battle no matter where these two Hoosier Crossroads Conference rivals play. The Millers headed down SR 32 and came up short to the Rocks, 46-41.
Noblesville held leads of 22-21 at halftime and 32-29 through three quarters. Unfortunately, it was the second week of the season and the Millers weren’t able to fully put together a fourth quarter like they had four days before against Hamilton Heights. They were outscored 17-9 by Westfield.
Westfield was led in scoring by guard Kayla Brown with 22 points and center Jenn Anderson ended up with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
3A#5 Lebanon 69, Noblesville 53 (The Mill: Nov. 16)
The Millers faced their third ranked opponent in a row and it was a tough, pesky test as the Lebanon Tigers came to The Mill.
Lebanon had experience and poise under pressure on their side on that Friday night. The Tigers scorched the nets early and often, getting Katie Curtis (game-high 18), Kristen Spolyar (16) and Carly Greene (11) in double-figures, while Whitney Cosgray (9) and Aspen Davis (8) chipped in their share.
Noblesville was led in scoring by freshman forward Alexis Shannon with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Jessica Kiser joined her in double digits with 10. While Becca Bergman only scored 4 points, she did dish out 6 assists and picked Lebanon’s pockets for four steals. Kayleigh Herron knocked down three treys for 9 points.
The Millers just couldn’t keep up with Lebanon. Losing the game 69-53, NHS was down five after the 1st, 14 at halftime and 11 after three, before bowing out to the 3A ranked Tigers by 16.
Carmel 67, Noblesville 57 (at Carmel: Nov. 20)
Keck’s Millers started figuring out a better mix and chemistry was building, despite this becoming their third loss in a row. This became another game where Noblesville couldn’t figure out a way to finish the game and keep their lead. Tied 16-16 after one, they trailed 29-28 at halftime, but took a 50-49 lead after three and were outscored by the Greyhounds 18-7 in the final quarter to drop the road game to Hamilton county rival Carmel, 67-57.
Forward Jessica Kiser led the Millers in scoring with 17, while Erin Wood contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds, freshman Rachel Shipman was 3-for-8 from outside-the-arc for 9 points and Becca Bergman had 8 points and 6 assists.
Shooting just 38% (23-61), Noblesville wasn’t able to match the hot three-point shooting of Carmel’s 56% (10-of-18) accuracy. That was one of the big differences in the final outcome. One other big factor is that Noblesville shot a dismal 5-for-14 at the foul line for 36%.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY HOLIDAY TOURNMENT (Saturday, November 24)
Noblesville 69, Knox 35
This holiday tournament was just what Noblesville needed after three losses in a row heading into Thanksgiving. They were one point shy of doubling up Knox (69-35) in game one of the day. Noblesville was led in scoring by Erin Wood and Audrey DeFoe both with 14 and Jessica Kiser also had 12.
This time it was the Millers shooting 10-of-18 from three-point land (56%) and 45% overall from the field.
Noblesville 78, Tippecanoe Valley 42 (championship game)
Evidently the Miller girls don’t mind playing two games in the same day! They poured it on even more against host Tippecanoe Valley in the championship, 78-42.
Noblesville spread the scoring out for sure in this one. Alexis Shannon is now completely out of her shell and showed that she can be a bruiser and a scorer in the paint, finishing with a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds. Becca Bergman also had a stellar night with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Jessica Kiser netted 11 points to go along with her 6 rebounds. Erin Wood was quiet with it, but she wound up with 7 points and 10 rebounds.
The Millers shot 45% overall (31-69), but mainly improved at the free throw line, going 13-for-17 (76%).
Noblesville 59, McCutcheon 36 (at McCutcheon: Dec. 1)
Noblesville has quickly turned itself into a good road team. They headed to Lafayette on a mission and came back to Noblesville still on that mission. Just a matinee` affair on a Saturday and the Millers made it into a business trip, beating the host Mavericks, 59-36.
Erin Wood had what was probably her best game of her young high school career with 16 points and 5 boards. Cori Cain also had a career game with 11 points for Noblesville. Kiser herself had a great ballgame, scoring 10 and grabbing 8 rebounds. Alexis Shannon, Kayleigh Herron and Audrey DeFoe all scored 6 in helping NHS to 39% shooting.
McCutcheon thought it was a good idea to fling up 3-for-21 from three-point range and shot 30% overall on field goals, while turning the ball over 19 times to Noblesville’s 10 giveaways.
Noblesville (5-3) hits the hardwood again this Friday night as they’ll be the front end of the girls-boys doubleheader. At 6 p.m. they’ll take on 4A#1 Hamilton Southeastern (8-0) for a chance to keep this three-game winning streak going.
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