Rake’s Take: HS boys basketball sectionals double header INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A highly anticipated high school boys basketball double header on Friday will see rivals battling for the sectional title. ISC Sports Network’s Greg Rakestraw stopped by Daybreak on Thursday to preview the g ames, specifically the matchups between Noblesville and Carmel and then Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern. The Friday night slate is considered by many to be the highlight of the high school basketball postseason. Rakestraw jokingly described the event as a “Hamilton County social event” that is expected to draw a capacity crowd. “There are a lot of people who think that tomorrow night is the best night of the high school basketball season because you’ve got that doubleheader feel to it,” he said. Noblesville vs. Carmel The opening game features a rematch between Noblesville and Carmel. The Greyhounds won their previous meeting 64-52 on Dec. 12 and enter the game as the favorite. Rakestraw notes that Carmel has faced recent challenges, including losses to Hamilton Southeastern and Warren Central. “I’m not sure that Carmel is playing their best going in, but it should be a classic Hamilton County rivalry,” Rakestraw said. Noblesville also enters the sectional without key starter Justin Curry. The Division I prospect suffered a season-ending knee injury approximately one month ago. Baron Walker, another Division I-caliber starter, has taken on the primary scoring and leadership role for the Millers in Curry’s absence. Rakestraw says he believes Walker “is really going to kind of carry the freight for this Noblesville team.” HSE vs. Fishers The second half of the doubleheader features Fishers against Hamilton Southeastern in what Rake calls a “Mudsock Game” rivalry. Fishers has been undefeated this season and holds a 23-0 record. While the Tigers have been dominant over the past two seasons, their previous matchup against the HSE Royals on Dec. 19 was decided by seven points. Hamilton Southeastern has won eight consecutive games heading into the matchup. The Royals improved from a seven-nine start to a 15-nine record. Rakestraw attributed the early-season struggles to an offseason coaching change, noting that the veteran group has since found its rhythm. “This group has been together. They made a coaching change in the offseason, and maybe that’s why it took a little bit of time for the Royals to kind of click in.” Rake says the Royals’ roster features a high number of seniors alongside standout sophomore Varschon Clark. Despite the experience on the HSE side, Fishers remains the statistically favored team. “A lot of folks will look at Fishers as the favorite, and they should be,” Rakestraw said. “They’re going to get a game from HSE.” Doors will open early at Noblesville High School to accommodate expected crowds. “It’ll be one of those classic nights where everybody gets their tickets and sits there for both games,” Rakestraw said. This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews andedits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness. ...read more read less