The CHS men’s basketball team defeated Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) 81-63 in front of a sellout crowd to win the IHSAA Sectional Final at Noblesville High School .

The game began with a very quick three-point shot by HSE senior Gary Harris, a Michigan State recruit. At the end of the first quarter, HSE led Carmel 16-13.  Carmel began the second quarter on a 12-0 run to take the lead for good. The second quarter ended with a half-court shot by senior Sam Curts to give Carmel a 37-25 lead. Curts’ defensive pressure held Harris without a point after the quick basket that Harris scored to begin the game. Carmel began the second half on an 18-4 scoring run, and at the end of the third quarter Carmel had a commanding 57-33 lead. Curts led the team with 19 points, fellow seniors Ben Gardner and Karl Schneider added 15 and 14, respectively, and junior Michael Volovic scored 10 points. Harris was held to 13 points and shot only 27 percent after scoring 35 and 37 points, respectively, in his first two Sectional games.

Carmel will face Kokomo in the IHSAA Regional on March 10 at 10 a.m. The winner of that game will compete in the IHSAA Regional Final at 8 p.m. that same day.