FISHERS — Pendleton Heights entered Friday’s contest at Fishers on a hot streak as winners of 12 of the previous 13 games.
But the Tigers quieted the Arabian shooters and converted key free throws down the stretch to slow the Pendleton Heights momentum.
Willie Jackson scored 30 points, which included making 15 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter, as Fishers knocked off the Arabians 63-49.
Fishers improved to 9-10 while Pendleton Heights fell to 15-5 on the season.
The Arabians struggled to put the ball through the hoop Friday, making just 14 off 44 shots for 31.8 percent, including just 23.8 percent in the second half. The Arabians also made just five of 24 3-point attempts.
Coach Kevin Bates said the Tigers forced the Arabians to take tougher shots than they normally would.
“We struggled shooting the basketball,” he said. “We took some tough, contested shots, which is unlike us. Give them (Fishers) credit; defensively, they forced us to take those tough shots.”
Despite the offensive struggles, the Arabians led for much of the first three quarters and carried a 1-point edge into the fourth quarter.
“Defensively, the first three quarters, I thought we played well enough to win,” Bates said. “We had the lead at the end of the third quarter, but in the end, we just didn’t hit enough shots. We had some open looks, but we just didn’t make them.”
The Tigers were missing their leading scorer, Jamil Turner-Hall, who was out because of a suspension. But sophomore Willie Jackson more-than-ably stepped up to lead the way for Fishers. He scored 19 of his 30 points at the foul line and took over the game in the fourth quarter.
“He did a good job of handling the basketball,” Bates said of Jackson. “He did a good job of getting in the lane and drawing fouls. Late, like any good player, he always had the ball in his hands. We were trying to foul other people, but he seemed to always have it. Give him credit — he had the guts to want the ball in his hands late.”
Senior Mark Albers led Pendleton Heights in scoring with 18 points; junior Trent Miller scored 11. Miller, in his third game back from a knee injury, was showing signs of soreness and fatigue in the second half. He is one of four players with health issues who were limited in practice as the Arabians get set to visit New Castle Tuesday with the Hoosier Heritage Conference outright championship on the line, including two starters.
“Hopefully, we can get healthy,” Bates said. “This game took its toll. Dameion Warrum went down with an ankle, and Karson Windlan went down two minutes into the game with an ankle. He tried to battle back in the second half, but he wasn’t the same. Then Eli (Pancol) took a shot to his calf and it was all swelled up. So that’s four of our top six guys.”
Bates, however, said his team will be ready for Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. start, regardless of which players may be on the court.
“We’ll see how this weekend goes and we’ll see what happens come Monday,” he said. “Hopefully those guys can do whatever they need to do this weekend. New Castle is very similar to us — they like to run and they like to shoot the 3. We’re going to have to match their intensity, especially at their place. We’re going to have to be mentally prepared.”