Five Takeaways: Carmel vs. New Castle
The season is starting to wind down and games are becoming a bit more important to players and coaches. You saw that with Carmel’s win over New Castle as the Sectional-like atmosphere was outstanding and the playmaking was just as good. Carmel’s Andrew Owens scored 27 points and hit the game winning jumper was the difference in this one.
Competition Level On High
This was a game that was what you would want to show your players of how to play. It was highly competitive, back and fourth, and filled with playmakers all game long. It had that Sectional Final feel, probably because both of these teams are able to make it deep in the state tournament. With the competition, it was great in regards to the individual players. Their toughness and scoring ability was high level.
Battle Of The Bigs
One of the better one-on-one matchups was Mason Gillis versus John-Michael Mulloy. Gillis definitely go the win in the first quarter as he was drilling threes and moving inside later on. However, Mulloy was pretty good himself in the first quarter with his post moves. Then, Carmel did an outstanding job doubling in the post and making Gillis work even more for clean shots. Mulloy, was pretty consistent from the jump. Was a battle both ways and the refs allowed them to be fairly physical.
Owens Showed Why Carmel Can Be Better
While Carmel has a great many talents, they lack in depth in the post and at the wings. They have so many guards and shooters but guys that can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, they really only have one with any real size, junior Andrew Owens. For Carmel to tap out what they can do offensively, they need to have him working with those pick and rolls and slips to the rim because those were what really opened things up for Carmel. Watch for that in big games, could be the difference there.
Gillis Taking Next Steps
Junior forward Mason Gillis is really starting to take off. He’s a big forward, now standing 6’7, and he showed in the first quarter how good his perimeter jumper can be. He went 3/3 early on and had the form you want to see. Where he needs to head is just more of it and finding ways to create those more. He’s got a great motor and frame along with good athleticism but that stretch ability out to three is needed. We got a glimpse on Saturday night. Soon, that could be every night.
How Good Are These Two Teams?
We threw this question in here because it was kind of answered on this night. New Castle is definitely legit. They have some big wins and even though they lost this game, it wasn’t really that far from a victory from them. They have size and shooting ability. Will need to see some more creation ability into the lane but overall, for 3A, they are really good. Carmel has just not been fully healthy. They were still without Jalen Whack in this game. But Eddie Gill, Andrew Owens, and John-Michael Mulloy looked as good as ever in this matchup. They had all of it working. They could win their Sectional and get lucky going into Regionals to pull it out. When they are hitting shots and if they get healthy, they have more than enough offense to pull away from teams. New Castle is State Champion good in 3A. Carmel might not be that good in 4A but they are good enough to make a run.