Ten Best: Carmel vs. New Albany
Carmel got out to a fast start behind Sterling Brown scoring the first seven points of the game forcing a New Albany timeout less than three minutes into the game. Carmel would continue to roll throughout the first half taking…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCarmel got out to a fast start behind Sterling Brown scoring the first seven points of the game forcing a New Albany timeout less than three minutes into the game. Carmel would continue to roll throughout the first half taking a 31-22 lead into halftime.
New Albany would come out hot though, outscoring Carmel 20-13 in the third frame and reducing the Carmel lead to 44-42 through three.
The game would go to overtime as a Romeo Langford last second shot would miss at the final buzzer. Carmel would strike first but New Albany would have the game winner made by Romeo Langford with a layup and a foul.
Langford made the free throw and Carmel would not score again. Carmel missed two three-pointers late in the overtime period that both missed and gave New Albany a 55-52 thrilling win over the #2 team in the state.
Leading scorers: Carmel: Sterling Brown 12, John-Michael Mulloy 10. New Albany: Romeo Langford 28, Isaac Hibbard 10.
Leading rebounders: Carmel: John-Michael Mulloy 7. New Albany: Romeo Langford 7.
MVP: Romeo Langford (New Albany)
Langford led his team to the victory. Being one of the best players in the state, he should be MVP every game but in this one he really excelled. He passed Chad Hunter and became New Albany’s career leading scorer. He dropped 28 points and seven rebounds and stepped up when he had to. A high level player.
Best offensive performance: Sterling Brown (Carmel)
Brown was clicking early in the game. He scored the first seven points of the game but then his team kind of went away from him. Brown showed early that he can beat good defenders off the bounce and finish at the rim. He scored 10 points in the first half then it took him until overtime to score again.
Best defensive performance: Jalen Whack (Carmel)
Whack was pretty good guarding Langford. In the first half, Whack held Langford to just 10 points and had great ball denial. He kept Langford on lock in the first half but when it was time for Langford to score in the second half, it was all over. Whack played good defense, but Langford was too much in the end.
Play of the Game: Romeo Langford breaks the New Albany all-time scoring record
With this lay-in for his 18th point in the game, Langford is now the all-time leading scorer for New Albany six games into his junior year. He now has 1,473 points.
Best underclassman: John-Micheal Mulloy (Carmel)
Mulloy continues to impress me. He gets into foul trouble at times quickly, but he knows what to do with the ball when he gets it down low. So far as a 6’10 sophomore he is very mature and knows how to play the game. Mulloy had 12 and seven on the night and will only get better.
Best under-the-radar performance: Isaac Hibbard (New Albany)
Hibbard has struggled a bit through the early part of the season but tonight he had 10 points. Hibbard played solidly and looked good with the ball in his hands. The only knock on him is that he just isn’t aggressive thus far this year. Hibbard is a solid all-around player with D2 potential, but he has not showed it this year.
Best passer: PJ Baron (Carmel)
Baron is a solid wing for Carmel as his passing skill indicates. Baron had four assists and moved the ball really well. He is a good entry passer putting it right on the spot for Mulloy every time. Baron is a all-around role player for Carmel though. He scored eight points, had four rebounds along with the assists.
Best shooter: Cole Jenkins (Carmel)
Jenkins isn’t known as the best shooter on this team but he is definitely trying to get there. Jenkins scored nine points and had two three-pointers in the game. He has a crisp, quick release and is really good on the catch-and-shoot. Jenkins can light it up from deep and we may see more of that as the year
Best dunk: Julien Hunter (New Albany)
A fast break throw down by the freshman for New Albany. Check it out below on Overtime.
Best takeaway: This was an instant classic that the sold out New Albany gym will remember for years. #2 Carmel gave it their best shot but #4 New Albany kept their home winning streak alive. Both teams are very good and this result won’t change much in the polls. I don’t see Carmel dropping to much lower than #5 and New Albany probably will only move up one spot. These teams will be there deep in March.