Sectional 8 Opening Night: Noblesville and HSE Advance in Tight Tuesday Battles

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The opening night of Sectional 8 delivered exactly what postseason basketball promises: intensity, late‑game drama, and two single‑digit finishes that kept the Noblesville gym buzzing from start to finish. Noblesville held off Zionsville in a defensive battle, while Hamilton Southeastern outlasted Westfield in a high‑scoring, back‑and‑forth matchup.

Millers Hold Off Eagles Behind Walker’s 21

Walker Steps Up as Millers Survive Fourth‑Quarter Shootout

With senior scorer Justin Curry sidelined for the season, Noblesville entered the tournament needing someone to shoulder the offensive load. Junior Baron Walker answered the call, delivering a game‑high 21 points and setting the tone early.

Noblesville opened the night with a 10–2 run behind Walker’s physical drives and work on the glass. He scored 9 of the Millers’ 15 first‑quarter points, helping them control the pace in a low‑scoring first half.

Zionsville, playing with energy and confidence, found its spark in juniors Camden Moore and Preston Johnson. Moore scored the Eagles’ first five points of the third quarter to trim the deficit, while Johnson added two key blocks and steady free‑throw shooting to pull Zionsville within 25–23.

The fourth quarter turned into a trading‑punches thriller. Noblesville’s Max Flanagan knocked down two clutch threes, but Zionsville answered each time — first with a deep shot from Zackary Green, then another from Nicholas Snively to tie the game at 33–33.

From there, Walker took over once again. He buried a deep three off an Adam Fine assist to put the Millers ahead 38–36, then added a tough finish and late free throws to secure the win and send Noblesville into a Wednesday matchup with Carmel.

Noblesville Leaders

• Baron Walker: 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals

• Max Flanagan: 8 points, 8 rebounds

• Evan Magsamen: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block

Zionsville Leaders

• Camden Moore: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals

• Nicholas Snively: 9 points, 4 rebounds

• Preston Johnson: 5 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks

Osswald’s 23 Powers HSE Past Westfield in Sectional Win

Royals Close Strong Behind Osswald, Clark, and Weemer

The nightcap featured one of the most intriguing matchups of the sectional: Hamilton Southeastern’s balanced attack against Westfield senior standout Drew Haffner. HSE’s defense set the tone early, holding Haffner to just 4 first‑half points, but Westfield stayed afloat thanks to Brock Detamore (9 first‑half points) and Luke Vandegriff (6 points).

Westfield exploded in the third quarter, scoring 22 points and opening on a 9–0 run. Haffner found his rhythm with 10 points in the period, while Detamore and Logan Sumpter added timely buckets to push the Shamrocks ahead 51–48 entering the fourth.

HSE responded with poise. Landon Osswald took control, drilling back‑to‑back threes to swing the lead back to the Royals. After Detamore briefly put Westfield ahead with a corner three, Luke Weemer and Osswald steadied HSE at the line, and Varschon Clark added a key bucket to extend the lead to 62–59.

The Royals’ defense tightened late, allowing just 10 fourth‑quarter points, forcing nine turnovers, and giving up only one made three. HSE closed the game on a 20–10 run to advance to Friday’s semifinal against No. 1 Fishers.

HSE Leaders

• Landon Osswald: 23 points, 10 rebounds

• Varschon Clark: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block

• Luke Weemer: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists

Westfield Leaders

• Brock Detamore: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

• Drew Haffner: 17 points, 4 assists, 1 block

• Logan Sumpter: 9 points