The regular season is coming to an end in just over two weeks, and some teams are still trying to tweak their game and hit their stride. Zionsville, however, looks poised to make a run deep into the postseason, boasting an impressive resume and six straight wins.
The Eagles' most recent victory came at county rival Lebanon on Feb. 11. Zionsville downed 4A No. 6 Carmel on Feb. 6, and on Feb. 2 they handed Noblesville its first home loss of the season and just the Millers’ third loss overall. Both Carmel and Noblesville beat Zionsville last season, the Millers’ win coming in the opening round of sectionals. Now Zionsville can get a couple of other monkeys off its back in its final three games.
Zionsville will host Crawfordsville, and play at McCutcheon to finish the regular season. Even with a number of big wins already, the Eagles are taking nothing for granted. Crawfordsville is solid and McCutcheon is 6-3 in their nine-year rivalry with Zionsville. The Eagles mean to maintain their high level of play throughout the final stretch and keep their momentum going into the postseason. Head coach Shaun Busick knows how tough his team's last two opponents are and how important it is to keep doing what has garnered them 15 wins thus far.
"Are we the favorites (in our final three games)? In the Sagarin rankings, maybe, but we need to guard against that kind of thinking," said Busick. "We don't want to have this idea that we beat Carmel and Noblesville, so we can beat anyone. We have to take each of last three opponents seriously and prepare for them like we do everyone else."
Busick cites his team's attention to detail, work ethic, and depth as the keys for the Eagles' success this year. Zionsville's four losses have come by a combined 17 points against teams with a combined 53-11 record. Point guard Jack Isenbarger led his team against Carmel with 19 points and has also dished out 14 assists in the wins over Avon, Noblesville and Carmel. Chris Welker had a 16-point, 16-rebound performance against the Greyhounds, preceeded by a 22-point, seven-rebound game against Zionsville. Demetrius Lawson has scored 54 points over the past three games, and both Chris Roberts and Blake Leuders are capable of putting up double-digits in any game. The Eagles' work ethic and focus on all aspects of the game were on full display against Carmel, when they hit 23 shots from the field and 17-of-19 free throws in the game, while outscoring the Greyhounds by eight in the final quarter.
"This has been the best year of practice that we've had since I came here," said Busick, who is in his fourth season at Zionsville. "We've done an excellent job of preparing for each game, collectively and individually."
After losing four of seven during a tough stretch in December and January, Zionsville fell off the 4A radar a bit. That has changed now, but the Eagles knack for pulling out tough games still remains, poised to carry them a long way.
Boys wrap-up
Fresh off a 10-point win at Carmel, Lawrence North (11-5) fell to Davis (8-8) 59-51 on Thursday. Greg Garrett led the Giants with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
Alex Payne scored a game-high 23 points for Carmel (12-5) and the Greyhounds knocked-off 4A No. 10 Hamilton Southeastern 68-65 in overtime.
Collin Hartman's buzzer-beater gave Cathedral (11-4) a 45-43 comeback win over rival Roncalli (10-5). Hartman led all scorers with 18 points.
Jake Yeary led the way for Noblesville (13-3) in a 62-49 win over Muncie Central (7-8) wtih 25 points and 10 rebounds.
4A No. 2 North Central (15-2) throttled Terre Haute North (13-4) 60-41 behind 16 points from Terone Johnson and 14 from D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera.
Avon had four players in double-figures, led by Kendall Griffin with 14 points, as the Orioles (10-7) beat Westfield (10-6).
Girls basketball setional wrap-up
Mount Vernon had a chance to seal win at the free-throw line against Hamilton Heights in the opening round of the Shelbyville sectional, but a missed second free-throw led to a tying lay-up by Jessica Carr. Hamilton Heights scored the final 15 points in overtime for a 70-56 win and advanced to take on Shelbyville on Friday. Carr led the Huskies with 25 points, while Libby Ogden added 23.
Brittney Webb hit the game-winning free-throw to give 2A four-time defending champion Heritage Christian a 58-57 victory over 2A No. 7 Indian Creek. The Eagles have now won 28 consecutive postseason games, setting a new state record. Webb scored a game-high 17 points and Liz Stratman added 12 points and 13 rebounds.
4A No. 1 Ben Davis earned its 52nd straight win on Thursday, beating Manual 66-6 and advancing to face Pike on Saturday.
Warren Central outscored Indianapolis Arlington 17-4 in the final quarter to claim a 60-41 win. The Warriors had three players hit double-figures, led by Brandi McKinney with 15.
