Game Report: Sectional 8 Championship

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In 49 states it is just basketball, but this is Indiana. Nothing beats the Hoosier Hysteria around the state tournament and it was in full force at Noblesville High School on Saturday night. In front of a sell-out crowd of over 4200 fans, Westfield and Carmel put on an absolute show. 64 teams around the state cut down the nets to advance to Regional action next weekend. Let’s recap last night’s exciting contest from Sectional 8.

Westfield was in control of the game from the opening tip it seemed like. Future Purdue Boilermaker Braden Smith Braden Smith 6'0" | PG Westfield | 2022 State IN had things rolling early with six points and two assists in the opening quarter to put the Shamrocks on top 16-10. They would extend that advantage to 33-23 by halftime. Their defense was excellent, Smith was orchestrating an efficient offense, and Westfield got timely contributions from others to take the 10-point lead into the locker room.

Pretty quickly in the second half the momentum started to shift. Carmel went on a run to cut it to five points forcing a Westfield timeout with 5:43 to play in the period. Just a couple of minutes later, Peter Suder Peter Suder 6'5" | SG Carmel | 2022 State #227 Nation IN hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 40 a piece. Eventually, the Greyhounds pulled on top and held onto a 44-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Charlie Williams Charlie Williams 6'10" | PF Carmel | 2022 State #220 Nation IN , a William & Mary signee, was excellent in the third as was junior wing Garwey Dual Garwey Dual 6'5" | PG Carmel | 2023 #113 Nation CA-S , as the Greyhounds made their comeback.

Cameron Haffner Cameron Haffner 6'3" | SG Westfield | 2022 State IN reclaimed the momentum for Westfield to begin the fourth quarter. The Eastern Illinois commit knocked in a corner three in front of the massive Shamrocks student section and followed it up with a tough transition layup to take a 51-46 lead. They would never look back from there. Suder hit a pull-up three with just under a minute remaining to bring the Greyhounds within three points, 55-52, but that is as close as their last comeback attempt would get. Westfield secured their first sectional championship in school history with a 59-54 win over rival Carmel.