Northfield dashes Carroll's regional hopes
By Greg Hoffman Contributing sportswriter

Old-fashion 3-point play Carroll's #20 Riley Eller draws a foul while scoring against Northfield in Class 2A Regional action last Friday. Teammates Jacob Craig and Carson Spesard look on. Northfield defeated the Cougars, eliminating them from regional competition. Bill Stauffer photo

Northfield's patience and Carroll's early game jitters were too much for the Cougars to overcome in Friday's Tipton Regional. They dug themselves an early hole and the Norsemen took advantage, winning the Class 2A game 59-47.

The Cougars never led in this game. Northfield used a three-guard motion offense to work the ball around until Carroll's defense broke down, giving the Norsemen open and easy shots. Northfield's suffocating defense forced Carroll into numerous turnovers early. And the Cougars missed several lay-ups when they got the ball inside.

Northfield was up 8-3 when baskets by Jacob Craig and Kevin Ives pulled the Cougars to within one at 8-7, the closest they would get the rest of the night. The Norsemen scored the final 8 points of the quarter to take a 16-7 lead after one.

Craig hit a fielder to start the second quarter before Northfield went on another 8 to 0 run for a 15-point lead. Carson Spesard's basket and Drew Yoder's three-pointer pulled the Cougars to within 10 at 24- 14, and with Carroll down 12 points a Riley Eller trey closed the gap to a single digit at 26- 17 to end the first half.

The Cougars had 11 first half turnovers to only 3 by Northfield. Both teams made 7 field goals in the half and Carroll had 3 three-pointers and Northfield, 2. The Norsemen were 10 of 13 from the foul line while the Cougars did not attempt one.

Carroll fell behind 15 points twice in the third quarter - 35- 20 and 38-23 before making one last big charge in the fourth quarter. With a 17 to 6 run they closed the gap to 4 at 44-40, but could get no closer. Northfield scored 8 unanswered points for a 52-40 lead and held on the rest of the way for the win.

Craig led Carroll in scoring with 14 points; Eller had 8 and Yoder 7. Carroll was 17 of 38, .447%, from the field; 7 of 15, .467% on threes and 6 of 9, .667% from the foul line. Northfield was 4 of 8, .560% on threes, 18 of 33, .545% overall, and 19 of 26, .731% from the line.

This has been a great run for the Cougars and despite the regional loss, this will be a memorable year for players, coaches and the communities that make up the Carroll consolidation. This team brought the school its first boys sectional basketball title since the consolidation in the early 1960s.

The five seniors - Justin Brown, Jason Hazel, Kevin Ives, Jacob Craig and Adam Tussinger - along with juniors - Riley Eller, Primmer Zook, Brad Benson, Carson Spesard and Adam Spesard - and sophomores - Drew Yoder, Kyle Geheb and Riley Johnson - can take away a lot of memories from the season and the pride of the community.