BB SECT. 9: Noblesville bounces 4A #8 Zionsville, 47-42

CARMEL – In opening the state’s toughest boys basketball sectional (according to the Sagarin power ratings) March 2 at Carmel, 14th-rated Noblesville led No. 15 Zionsville by a field goal, 17-14, following a first half of treacherous marksmanship by both football teams.

Then the third quarter came, and a basketball game broke out. Unranked Noblesville, which had meandered in and out of the Class 4A rankings all season long, busted out with 14 points in about three minutes to take double-digit control of the Sectional 9 opener before holding off the eighth-ranked Eagles in a 47-42 upset.

Host Carmel overcame the absence of four seniors booted off the team for disciplinary reasons to post a 63-53 Game 2 win over Fishers that saw the Greyhounds lose their lone remaining senior, 6-foot guard Alex Payne, to an ankle injury in the second half.

Welcome to “Hoosier Hysteria,” the 100th year, sports fans.

The abbreviated box scores:

Noblesville 8 9 16 14 – 47

Zionsville 7 7 11 17 – 42

Fishers 16 13 2 22 – 53

Carmel 16 16 9 22 – 63