The weather on Saturday, December 7 might have been cold outside, but The Mill was pretty warm and welcomed the visiting McCutcheon Maverick girls to face the Noblesville Millers in a matinee matchup in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
It didn't take long at all, but the Millers took complete control of this conference battle from the get-go. Three-point buckets by senior Jessica Kiser and junior Kayleigh Herron jumped Noblesville out to an early 6-2 lead. Kerstyn Lowery and Katee Kurtz added a pair of free throws each, but the Mavs had already dug themselves a hole that would be hard to get out of. McCutcheon wasn't able to knock down its first field goal until 1:53 left in the first, when Gabby Gary nailed a three.
The Millers forced 7 Maverick turnovers in the first quarter. With about 3 minutes left, NHS clung to an 11-4 lead, but that didn't last long. Two consecutive forced turnovers turned quickly into two Katelyn O'Reilly layups to put Noblesville up 15-4, causing McCutcheon head coach Jeff Knoy to call his first timeout.
Audrey DeFoe capped off the dominant first frame with an easy 3-pointer with 1:24 on the clock to put Noblesville well out in front, 21-7.
DeFoe scorched the nets with a another couple treys and got the help of her teammates spreading out the Miller scoring to distance themselves even more from the visiting Mavericks to lead 39-14 at the break.
It may have been too late, but it seemed like McCutcheon's offense woke up a little in the third, but were still outscored by the Millers 13-12. O'Reilly added two more buckets and DeFoe her fourth three to propel Noblesville to a doubling of the Mavericks after 24 minutes, 52-26.
The 4th quarter became a time for Noblesville head coach Donna Keck to utilize her bench and run the clock out on this HCC win. That's exactly what she and her staff did as they got their first Saturday in December off to an outstanding start, beating McCutcheon, 64-35.
McCutcheon (2-5, 1-2 HCC) had only one in double-digit scoring, as Kerstyn Lowery led the way, tying for a game-high 15. Gabby Gary also had 6 for the Mavericks.
Noblesville (7-1, 1-1 HCC) was really able to spread out their scoring. Junior Audrey DeFoe led the Millers with a game-high 15 points off the bench, mostly on four 3-pointers. Katelyn O'Reilly also had a stellar game off Keck's bench with 13 on six field goals. Erin Wood chipped in with 9 points and Alexis Shannon finished with 8. As a team, the Millers were able to dish out 21 assists on their 25 made field goals. Cori Cain (4), Brooke Herron (4), Kayleigh Herron (3) and Rachel Shipman (3) were four selfless passers in making sure the ball got to the right teammate to put points on the scoreboard.
Tonight, the Millers face a HCC and Hamilton county rival that they haven't had a victory against in 12 years. Hamilton Southeastern (4-4, 3-1 HCC) has beaten Noblesville in 16 consecutive meetings. The last time Noblesville was able to pull out a victory over the Royals was December 7, 2001, when the Millers were coached by Leah Wooldridge and won at Hamilton Southeastern, 75-56.
The time has come and it has been WAY too long and this particular group of Millers is definitely primed and ready to get over that hump that has been the Hamilton Southeastern Royals. Noblesville has the opportunity that they have been waiting for. It will be a packed house at Hamilton Southeastern tonight and also an epic atmosphere.
We would love to see you in attendance at Hamilton Southeastern to support the girls at 6 p.m. and the boys around 8 p.m. in a doubleheader of varsity action.
If you can't make it, get on your computers or smartphones and you get watch/listen online LIVE on highschoolcube.com or download the free HSC Live app from your Android, iPhone or iPad markets. Once you get to the site or onto the app, in the search blank, type in Noblesville at Hamilton Southeastern and you'll be LIVE! Bring your earbuds to the game and you can listen to us live also!
Craig Adkins (myself) will call the play-by-play and Dusty Mills (former Miller) provides the color commentary.
GO MILLERS!
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