Trio leads Carmel past Hamilton Southeastern
Hamilton Southeastern came out fired up and strong to start the game. Without two of its best players, the Royals were determined to show they could still take down Carmel. The Greyhounds weren’t bothered by it. After seeing HSE quickly…
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Continue ReadingHamilton Southeastern came out fired up and strong to start the game. Without two of its best players, the Royals were determined to show they could still take down Carmel.
The Greyhounds weren’t bothered by it. After seeing HSE quickly build a 10-3 lead, Carmel responded with defense and solid late game free throw shooting to win 47-42.
“We’re used to it, we’re Carmel,” junior guard Sterling Brown said. “A lot of people are after us, especially some key guys out like Zach Gunn, they were going to come out and try to prove something.”
Carmel was led by the triple threat of Brown, Preston Flamion and Garrett Covington.
Brown proved especially critical in almost completely shutting down the perimeter play of HSE while scoring 14 points to go with three rebounds. He also hit all four free throws in the final minute to help seal the victory.
“I feel pretty confident going to the line, so when we get to close games my teammates look for me,” Brown said about the late game free throws. “I’ve been doing it for awhile now. I feel pretty confident at the line, so, there wasn’t a ton of pressure.”
Flamion and Covington were also critical as they combined with Brown to provide the majority of the Greyhounds offensive presence. Flamion finished with 10 points as he went 4-for-8 from the field and Covington finished with 10 points and four rebounds and went 4-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
This group also helped settle the defense of Carmel after HSE’s Jaylon Tapplar came out and dominated inside. Tapplar put up 10 points in the first quarter for the Royals as they built the early lead.
“I mean, I feel like as a senior have to step-up,” Tapplar said. “One of our biggest games on our schedule, so kind of owe it to everyone as a senior. It’s kind of your responsibility to step-up and make something happen.”
Tapplar would finish with 14 points and four rebounds and was the main offensive catalyst for HSE as the Royals struggled without Gunn and Brennan Schofield playing in the game. Tapplar showed a versatile skillset inside as he saw a touch on most offensive possessions early.
The Royals also got scoring late in the game from senior Greg Miller, who finished with 10 points as he continually drove into the lane looking for a shot or getting fouled and finishing at the free throw line. It also had guard Jack Davidson attacking the glass as he finished with five points and six rebounds.
These efforts weren’t enough, though. After Carmel took the lead in the second quarter, the Greyhounds never relinquished it the rest of the game.