Hamilton Southeastern boys’ basketball competed against Lawrence North on Tuesday, February 26th. This Royals- wildcat battle was the last non-conference Royals home game at Hamilton Southeastern High School for the 2024-2025 season.
Hamilton Southeastern (13-10 at the time) was coming in hot with a previous 5 game winning streak with wins including Brownsburg and Carmel High School. Hamilton Southeastern has also held strong during playoff time, rolling themselves into sectionals. Despite this, competitor Lawrence North (17-6 at the time) stood at 9th in the state, while Hamilton Southeastern stood 6 spots below that at 15th in the state (according to MaxPreps).
With tipoff rolling into the first quarter, Varschon Clark sets the tone by securing the first 3 points with 5:53 left. Following up, Braeden Totten hits two deep 3’s, making a 6-point dent in his last home game as a royal. Weemer secures another 3 and royals are making waves first quarter, but Lawrence North attempts to make a spark with a handful of shots and upping the defense, creating a 3-point lead by the end of first quarter 13-17.
Second quarter, Hamilton Southeastern comes out by tying score with a Maverick Young layup assisted by Varschon and Weemer not only by snagging a 3, but also by sinking both free throws. Once Lawrence North player Duke Karnes dunked off a rebound with 5 minutes left, the energy in the crowd and on the court shifted drastically. As the royal’s defensive rebounds lacked and as second chances have been given, Lawrence North dominates the court offensively. Lawrence North ends and secures a hefty lead of 37-15 by the end of second period.
As third quarter starts, Totten and Varschon set the momentum with a layup, but is quickly counteracted by Lawrence North’s aggressive defense. Maverick fights back with a fade away jump shot, scoring his 6th point of the game. Brandon Miller sets the tone back with layups and multiple points made back-to-back. With 3 minutes left and a 51- 34 Lawrence North lead, the royals fight with leading scorers Braeden Totten and Maverick Youngs banking 3’s. yet, buy the end of 3rd quarter the wildcats lead by 10 points at 43-53.
Tension rises as fourth quarter begins with Weemer assisting Totten’s missed 3, helping the royals energy. Weemer sinks yet another 3, holding him and Braeden Totten as the top scorers both with 14 points. Despite royals picking up their offense, Lawrence Norths 3 pointers and aggressive turnovers hold them of top of the royals. Royals end up falling to the Lawrence North wildcats with a final score of 78-60.
Hamilton Southeastern are going into sectionals with the buy and will play the Noblesville Millers or the Carmel Greyhounds on Friday, March 7th.
