by
Richie Hall
Sports Editor
Hamilton County Reporter
It took Hamilton Southeastern just a few seconds shy of an entire game to get ahead of Carmel, but it was worth the wait.
A three-point play by Vinny Buccilla with 9.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter was the clinching basket for the Royals in their 62-61 victory over the Class 4A No. 8 Greyhounds on Friday. Not only was it a big win for Southeastern on its home floor, but it also kept the Royals’ win streak going. Southeastern has now won 11 games in a row.
“We emphasize the things that we’ve done to make it happen,” HSE coach Brian Satterfield said about the streak. “That’s always the case.”
“The next game as you walk out there, it doesn’t matter unless you’re going to continue to do those things,” said Satterfield. “Tonight, when we started the game, we didn’t do the things that allowed us to have that streak. But fortunately, we were able to claw our way back.”
The Royals had to claw their way back after being down in the first half. After a few minutes of back and forth in the first quarter, Carmel’s Brian Waddell hit a 3-pointer to put his team up 7-4, and the Greyhounds would hold the lead until the last few seconds of the fourth.
That 3-pointer started a 22-7 run for Carmel, and Waddell scored 10 of those points, including a tipback at the first-quarter buzzer to give the ‘Hounds a 16-8 lead. Waddell then opened the second with three free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt.
Jackson Jannsen hit a 3-pointer as well.
Carmel led 34-22 with 1:13 left in the second quarter, but the Royals finished the half on a 7-0 run. DeAndre Rhodes made two free throws, John McCall scored on a layin and Sam Jacobs hit a buzzer-beating 3, getting Southeastern within 34-29.
The Greyhounds opened the second half with five quick points; Charlie Williams made a layin and Jannsen nailed another triple. Jannsen hit a 3 late in the quarter to give Carmel a 47-34 lead, but the Royals again responded with a 7-0 run. McCall’s three-point play and two baskets by Mabor Majak, the latter one a dunk, kept Southeastern close, 47-41 at the end of three.
An and-1 by Kole Hornbuckle with 4:34 left got the Royals within 51-50, but the Greyhounds answered with a 6-0 run. Waddell hit his third 3 of the night, then Charlie Williams converted a three-point play.
Two free throws from Connor Gioia put Carmel up 59-52 with 1:47 left, but Southeastern finished the game on a 10-2 run, starting with a 3-pointer from Rhodes. The Royals trailed 61-59 with the clock running down, but Buccilla tied the game with a jumper while being fouled, then made the free throw to put HSE in front. Southeastern’s defense then stopped Carmel in the final seconds.
“To give our guys credit, we didn’t give up, we kept fighting and somehow we found a way,” said Satterfield.
Majak led the Royals with 14 points, one of four Southeastern players in double figures. McCall added 12 points, with Rhodes and Buccilla both scoring 11.
“That’s the one thing that’s been nice about the group this year, especially here lately, is the balance that we’ve had scoring-wise,” said Satterfield.
McCall and Hornbuckle both collected six rebounds, Buccilla handed out six assists and Rhodes blocked two shots.
Waddell led Carmel with 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Jannsen hit four 3s on his way to 13 points, while Suder scored 11. Waddell collected five rebounds and Gioia dished out six assists.
The Royals are 15-5 and host Brownsburg next Friday in their final Hoosier Crossroads Conference game of the season. The Bulldogs lead the HCC with a 5-1 record, while Southeastern is 4-2 in the conference.
The Greyhounds are 12-6 and return to the Eric Clark Activity Center tonight to play Fort Wayne Carroll. Varsity tip off is at 5:30 p.m.