It was a game that had been postponed twice because of the different snow storms that have hampered travel for activities and just made things a little more difficult than the usual winter. First, it was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 9 and then was pushed to Monday, January 27th, both of which were obviously postponed due to weather. Finally, the Harrison vs. Noblesville girls game was re-scheduled for a date that snow wasn't involved! This past Friday, February 7th, the two met at The Mill in Noblesville as the first game of a girls/boys doubleheader.
It was the regular season finale and a tune-up for sectionals next week at North Central, but more importantly, it was the final time that 5'9 senior four-year varsity player Jessica Kiser would play at The Mill.
Kiser is one of those players who has had quite an impact on the Noblesville Millers girls basketball program, both on and off the court. Her teammates look up to her and her attitude is contagious. She's the lone senior graduating from a team that will by vying for the Class 4A Sectional 8 championship this week and looks to make a run past sectionals. Jessica Kiser will be missed once this basketball season comes to an end, but the Millers don't plan on ending the 2013-14 campaign yet!
4A #14 Noblesville 63, Harrison (West Lafayette) 38 (at The Mill - Noblesville)
Raiders 7 15 9 7 -- 38
Millers 18 15 15 15 -- 63
The Millers started off on a 6-0 run in the first couple minutes, thanks in big part to 4 from Alexis Shannon, the second basket coming from a steal near mid-court.
Super sub freshman Brooke Herron was the first off the bench and made an early impact. Joining her older sister Kayleigh in the backcourt, Brooke took a pass from KH and knocked down a three for a 10-5 NHS lead. Minutes later, the younger Herron dished down low to Katelyn O'Reilly to double up the Raiders 14-7. The next trip up the court, Kiser got fouled while banking a layup, but missed the free throw. The Millers led after one, 18-7.
Harrison 5'11 senior Autumn Ringen did what she could to bring she and her Raider teammates back to within striking distance. Ringen showed that she wasn't afraid to shoot, scoring 11 of her team-high 14 in the second, highlighted by three baskets from three-point land. Her efforts helped Harrison trail 33-22 at halftime.
If it was consistency that head coach Donna Keck was looking for, that's what she got from her Millers. Each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters, Noblesville scored 15 per quarter to really pull away from Harrison.
Noblesville extended its lead to 17 by the end of the 3rd, 48-31. Kiser, O'Reilly and Cori Cain combined for the Millers' 15 in the third.
The 4th was somewhat of a quiet quarter that Noblesville took 15-7, but the highlights of the 4th didn't happen until the final couple minutes. Keck had emptied her bench so that everyone got the chance to play. One particular player decided to make the most of her few minutes of action. 6'0 sophomore Haley Conway knocked down a couple three-pointers from the top of the key for a quick 6 for Conway. Those treys capped off a great Friday night for Noblesville and an outstanding regular season, 63-38 over Harrison, in the final meeting between the Hoosier Crossroads Conference foes. Harrison (West Lafayette) will be moving on to the North Central Conference in the fall of 2014.
Harrison (7-13, 3-6 HCC) was led in scoring by Autumn Ringen with 14 points on five field goals, four being three-pointers. Maren McCarty chipped in 6 off the bench, while Claire Muller and Maya Mengler each added 4.
The Raiders got a similar sectional draw like that of the Millers. Harrison will be playing the 4A Sectional 7 tournament at Logansport. They also drew the bye, one of two at Logansport. The winner of Tuesday night's Logansport (19-2) vs. McCutcheon (11-10) matchup will face Harrison in the second game on Friday nights at the home of the Berries.
Noblesville (16-4, 7-2 HCC) finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference with Westfield and Fishers.
The Millers were led in scoring in this regular season finale by Katelyn O'Reilly's 13 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Erin Wood also found herself in double digits with 10. Wood also blocked two shots and stole a couple Raider passes. Alexis Shannon (3 steals), Cori Cain (2 steals) and Brooke Herron (4 assists) all added 8 points each. Haley Conway knocked down a pair of treys for her 6 and Jessica Kiser had 6 while dishing out two assists and adding a couple steals to her credit in her final game at The Mill.
Noblesville got a great draw in the 4A Sectional 8 tournament at North Central. The Millers will play in the bye game against the winner of tonight's lone game. Zionsville (7-13) is pitted against Fishers (17-4) with a rematch with Noblesville on the line. The season continues for Noblesville against the winner of the Eagles and Tigers this Friday night at 6 p.m. at North Central.
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