Fishers survives Pike rally, stays unbeaten with 76-67 win

Fishers kept its perfect start intact, topping Pike 76-67 in a heavyweight Marion County-area clash on Jan. 8. The Tigers (11-0) led through three quarters and pushed the margin as high as 22 in the third, then weathered a furious Pike comeback fueled by full-court pressure and late turnovers to close out the win.

The game mattered beyond the box score. Fishers managed the victory without junior Jason Gardner Jr., sidelined with a broken hand, and the result only strengthened the early-season debate around the 4A favorites that already includes Fishers, Pike and Crown Point. For coaches and teams scouting the landscape, Fishers showed depth and balance while Pike reinforced that sustained pressure can flip momentum quickly.

Ethan Hillsman, a 6-7 senior, paced Fishers with 20 points on efficient looks. Senior forward Kai McGrew posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Levi Walker added 15 points with six boards. Junior Cooper Zachary provided a lift from long range, finishing in double figures and drilling a couple of near-halfcourt heaves to close quarters that kept the crowd buzzing. Pike leaned on T.J. Davis, who finished with 20 points and two steals, while Landon Lampley chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds in the late surge.

Pike’s full-court trap and pressure defense manufactured turnovers that cut Fishers’ lead to as few as seven in the fourth, but Fishers converted enough possessions down the stretch to preserve the margin. Fishers coach Garrett Winegar praised the team’s work ethic and preparation and noted the fourth-quarter turnovers are a reminder the Tigers must clean up execution as the schedule tightens.

Beyond the marquee matchup, local results around the state continued to shape sectional projections. Hamilton Southeastern picked up a win over Lawrence Central, Plainfield and Brownsburg posted results that kept both programs active in their respective discussions, and New Albany moved past Jeffersonville in another notable game that night. Those outcomes matter for seeding and momentum as teams approach the meat of conference play.

The takeaway? Fishers proved it can win without a key rotation piece and still respond to pressure, but the fourth-quarter wobble is a practical cue: practice press-break sets, emphasize ball security in live drills and simulate late-game fatigue. Our two cents? Expect more tense finishes in the 4A mix, and keep an eye on how teams adjust to full-court heat — those adjustments will decide postseason positioning.