Hanover Central boys basketball came up short in a 68-57 nonconference loss to Hammond Bishop Noll on Tuesday night.
The game was played Jan. 13 at Hanover Central High School in Cedar Lake, Ind., as the Wildcats moved to 5-7 on the season while the Warriors improved to 9-3.
Despite the final score, Hanover Central showed steady competitiveness behind its senior core of Langdon Oldenburg, JP Driscoll, Ben Schreiber, Jack Geldmyer and Owen Sosnowski. The Wildcats stayed within striking distance through three quarters, matching Bishop Noll’s physicality and keeping pace in the third period after entering halftime down by a manageable margin. Hanover Central’s defensive effort helped limit second-chance opportunities and forced the Warriors to work deep into possessions, while the senior guards helped control tempo and ball movement.
Bishop Noll created separation in the fourth quarter with balanced scoring and perimeter pressure, but the Wildcats continued to fight, answering with strong possessions and consistent effort on both ends of the floor. Hanover Central entered the night averaging 53.3 points per game and stayed close to that mark against a Bishop Noll team that averages more than 60 points per contest.
Up next, Hanover Central travels to Illiana Christian for a Northwest Crossroads Conference matchup at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23.
The Wildcats last faced Illiana Christian on March 4, earning a 62-55 victory.
