Thrilling night of hoops

Three games involving Hancock County schools, and all went down to the wire tonight.

Mt. Vernon and New Palestine were victorious on the road, while Eastern Hancock dropped a tough 44-42 overtime decision at home against Centerville in the game that we broadcast on HancockCountySports.com.

Mt. Vernon 51, Noblesville 46: Led by guard C.J. Coleman, the Marauders rallied from a 13-point deficit and outscored the Millers 25-6 down the stretch to win on the road in one of the toughest road venues in Central Indiana. Coleman scored 21 for the Marauders, who hit 5 straight 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to rally back and start 1-0. Next up for MV: Saturday at Hamilton Heights.

New Palestine 57, Jennings County 55: Michael Morris hit a putback with 2.4 seconds left to give the Dragons a two-point victory on the road. The Dragons, now 1-0, travel to New Castle Saturday night in the game we'll be broadcasting on HancockCountySports.com!

Centerville 44, Eastern Hancock 42, OT: A game that lived up to its billing -- two teams that were both returning two players with significant varsity experience went down to the wire. Jared Pyle's flying 3-point play gave the Royals the lead late, but Centerville's offensive rebounding strength was evident late and in OT. Cody Short grabbed three huge offensive rebounds in OT -- putting one back to give the Bulldogs a 42-40 lead. Cody Wallace answered that basket to tie it at 42, but Short again snuck in for an offensive board and fed Max Smith for a runner in the lane that gave the Bulldogs the lead for good with 14 seconds left.

Pyle scored 16 points to lead the Royals. Victor Vincz scored 13. Smith had 11 off the bench to lead a very balanced Centerville attack.

EH travels to Frankton on Saturday night for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

Greenfield-Central was idle tonight, but the Cougars will host Whiteland on Friday and then travel to Fishers on Saturday. The Cougars fell 55-28 to Union (Modoc) Tuesday night.