The final game of the night and coming in, it was looking like the game of the year between two of the top teams in the state. Myers Park hit the road to travel just a few miles down to take on Carmel Christian in its home gym, and to say hat this place was packed may be an understatement. Carmel Christian got things going behind '24 Jaeden Mustaf and '23 Khamani Wertz, but Myers Park was able to answer back and get things going behind '24 Bishop Boswell and company. Carmel was able to snag the early lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-13. Second quarter, '24 Sir Mohammed started to get going for Myers Park but Carmel was able to maintain its narrow lead throughout the quarter and walk into halftime with a 26-22 lead. Mustaf led the way with 10pts, while Wertz had nine. Mohammed led the way for Myers Park with six points.
In the third quarter, Myers Park came out with a little extra, helping turn what was a narrow deficit into a narrow lead and they were able to maintain that until the end of the third quarter, leading 40-36. Mohammed was strong with eight points in the quarter. Mustaf continued to be strong, hitting a late bucket to cut the lead at the buzzer.
Fourth quarter, it was coming down to the wire and Myers Park was holding around a five-point lead for the first half of the quarter. Carmel once found themselves down eight before going on a 10-0 to take the lead with three minutes to go. A four point game with under a minute to go, a costly turnover by Myers Park led to an easy basket and a six-point lead with 17 seconds remaining. Myers Park was able to get to the line to knock down one and create a turnover late, but a late charge call helped in a big way. Myers Park was able to hit a late three in the final seconds but it wasn't enough.
Final: Carmel Christian 52 ' Myers Park 51
Stats:
Carmel: Jaeden Mustaf 21pts, 5rebs, 2asts/ Bryce Cash 14pts, 11rebs, 4asts/ Khamani Wertz 11pts
Myers Park: Sir Mohammed 16pts, 5rebs/ Bishop Boswell 11pts, 4rebs, 3asts/ Elijah Strong 10pts/ Sam Walters 7pts, 7rebs