By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
Early in the season, Danville downed Avon in a close contest, 70-67. The Orioles learned a couple of lessons from that game.
First, they realized they needed to slow the pace in their Jan. 7 rematch in the first round of the Hendricks County Tournament. Secondly, they had to control Purdue-boundTravis Carroll, Class 3A No. 3 Danville’s talented post man and primary offensive weapon.
Consider both objectives met. Avon downed the Warriors, 44-35, on Wednesday evening.
If you are going to slow the pace, you have to have the lead. Avon accomplished that in the first half. The initial quarter ended just 6-4 in favor of the Orioles.
The second stanza was a case of runs by each team. Danville (8-2, the other loss 52-50 to 4A No. 6 Marion) opened the period with a 6-0 run to take a four-point lead. That was followed by what, in retrospect, was the most important stretch of the game.
Avon ended the quarter scoring 10 straight points and took a 16-10 lead at intermission. That ensured the rest of the game would be played as they wanted it to be.
More importantly, the Orioles held Carroll scoreless in the first half.
That was not the case in the second half. Carroll scored 11 points in the final two quarters to keep the Warriors close.
However, Avon hit the key free throws it needed down the stretch to preserve the victory. The Orioles will now face Plainfield in the semifinals on Friday night.
