by
Richie Hall
Sports Editor
Hamilton County Reporter
Hamilton Southeastern rolled into the championship game of Class 4A Sectional
8 Friday by beating host Fishers 60-35 at the Tiger Den.
The Royals led 14-7 after the first quarter, with Malea Jackson making two
3-pointers. The Tigers came back at the beginning of the second period, using a 8-0
run to take a 15-14 lead. Ali Gerka hit a 3-pointer of her own, then Cierra Tolbert
added a free throw and a putback to get Fishers within one. Kenedi London’s jumper
put the Tigers ahead.
Sydney Parrish got Southeastern back in front with a 3-pointer, but a rebound basket
by Tamia Perryman – who played incredibly tough throughout the game – tied things up
again at 17-all. Parrish put the Royals back in front with another 3, and HSE never
trailed again.
“Towards the end of the first half, our movements were starting to get lethargic and
we needed to have a quicker burst to try to get ourselves open to get ourselves in
position to get ahead and get shots,” said HSE coach Chris Huppenthal.
Southeastern led 26-21 at halftime. At that point Parrish had 12 points, and it would
turn out she was just getting started. The sophomore added eight more points in the
third quarter, helping the Royals to a 38-28 lead. Amaya Hamilton’s late 3-pointer
pushed HSE’s lead to 10 points for the first time in the game.
“We thought there were some opportunities to try and get Amaya the ball
and get her some touches in the second half, and we were able to get her some and she
capitalized on them,” said Huppenthal. “For the most part, all our kids were involved.”
The Royals continued to surge in the fourth period, outscoring Fishers 22-7.
Parrish went on a 7-0 run all by herself early in the period, making her fourth ‘3’ of the
game in between two other baskets. When was all said and done, Parrish finished the
game with 31 points.
“Sydney’s a special player, and she definitely stepped up tonight,” said Fishers
coach Lauren Vail. “Special players do that in big games, and that’s what she did.”
Parrish wound up with a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds and also made two
blocked shots. Hamilton and Molly Walton both corralled eight rebounds, with
Hamilton blocking two shots as well. Walton dished out seven assists.
“Molly’s one of those kids who doesn’t give us a lot of points at times, but she does
so many little things for us,” said Huppenthal.
“They did a great job of mixing it up on us,” said Vail. “They played a box-and-1,
they played a 3-2, they played a 2-3, they played man. And we just could never get in
a rhythm. Credit to Coach Huppenthal on that, for mixing it up and really keeping us
on our toes.”
Perryman finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds, while Gerka
scored eight points. Toni Grace scored six points.
Southeastern is now 16-7, and plays Carmel in tonight’s championship game.
“You watch them, they got Division I kids at every position on the floor,” said
Huppenthal. “We’re going to come ready to play. We’re going to give it our best shot.
They’re a great basketball team, but I think we got a pretty special team, too.”
Fishers finished its season 13-12 in Vail’s first year as head coach
“I’m just so proud of our kids,” said Vail. “Getting a new head coach with about a
month to go before the season starts, and not just a new head coach to them, someone
who’s never been a head coach before. I had familiarity in the program, but I’ve never
done this either. We did this together and learned and grew, and they allowed me to
grow.
“Every time I challenged them with something, they responded. The seniors
were great leaders. That’s what I just told them in that locker room. They showed
those younger kids how to lead and they showed those younger kids how to love each
other and be great teammates and that’s what I’m really proud of them for.”
