End of an era for Noblesville seniors. 'They taught us what it means to be a Miller.'

LAPORTE — The Noblesville players write it on their arms before every game: Together. It's been their motto, the core of their identity over the past few years, but they seldom looked the part through the first half of the 2023-24 season. If anything the Millers looked disjointed, leading many to write them off as they stumbled into Christmas break at 7-7 vs. the state's toughest schedule.

But coach Donna Buckley's confidence never waivered. She saw what the outsiders could not: A team being built up by its two seniors, Ava Shoemaker and Reagan Wilson, as the pieces slowly began falling into place.

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"They were great leaders and understood this is a journey," Buckley said. "I never doubted (them). Those kids were never like, 'Hey we're not doing this right.' They just held the team together. Ava and Reagan are so much more than talent. Those kids are next-level leaders, incredible people of character. Reagan represents everything you want in a Miss Basketball and Ava's going to go be the best doctor in the entire world. They're just amazing kids."

Noblesville's second-half turnaround — wins in 11 of 12 following that .500 start — is what made the scene Saturday equally remarkable and poignant. A team that few expected to be playing this late into February, subbing out its two seniors in the final minutes of a 52-36 loss to Lake Central in the Class 4A semistate championship game.

As Shoemaker went down the bench, hugging each of her teammates and coaches, the realization began sinking in for Wilson at center court. The Iowa State-bound senior took a moment, then tearfully walked toward the sideline and embraced her head coach.

Last weekend's wild regional win over Fort Wayne Snider punctuated Noblesville's postseason run; Saturday's loss to Lake Central closed the book on an impressive four-year run by its seniors: 85 wins, three sectional titles, two regional titles, a semistate title and a state championship in 2022.

"You can see what Ava and Reagan have done for this program in the community's growth. Little girls want to be like our seniors," junior Meredith Tippner said. "They've taught us what it means to be a Miller and how we're supposed to carry ourselves on- and off the court."

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The 2022 state title run — specifically the regional final vs. Snider and state final vs. Franklin — served as a launching pad for the 5-9 Shoemaker, who totaled 23 points (10-of-17 shooting) across the two games.

A player with a propensity for performing in big moments, Shoemaker battled through injury to average around nine points as a junior, then set career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals as a senior. Her final season included a career-high 29 points in the regular-season finale vs. Pendleton Heights and a critical baseline floater in the sectional final at Hamilton Southeastern.

Shoemaker is the best shooter on the team and has been for years, Wilson said. "I throw the ball to her, and I know it's going in."

"She's the smartest kid I know," Tippner added. "She makes everybody around her laugh and having people like that who can bond a team off the court is why we were able to have such a special year."

Described by Shoemaker as "the most energetic, fun and loud — but in the best way possible — presence," Wilson has been the Millers' heart and soul since her freshman year.

A constant source of energy and positivity, the 5-8 guard shined a light on Noblesville's reserves this season, and worked especially close with Ally Hutchinson. The 5-9 sophomore was hesitant to shoot over the summer, Wilson recalled, so she focused on improving her confidence with steady encouragement. "She built me up from almost nothing," Hutchinson said.

"Reagan has inspired me so much. She's like a big sister to me," Hutchinson continued. "She helped me get to this point. … She gave me that extra boost; the high-fives and telling me, 'Confidence. You got this.' And helping me realize my shot's going in."

Wilson brings an energy everyone wants to be around, Tippner said, recalling the 2022 semistate championship game when Wilson began the dogpile at center court with four seconds still left on the clock.

"It's been an amazing ride," Wilson smiled.

The Noblesville locker room was mostly silent for the 20 minutes or so following Saturday's semistate championship game as reality set in for those involved. But at some point amidst the tears, Buckley offered a final message to her players.

"I reminded them that what we did this year was really special," she said. "How things went tonight doesn't change who they are and what they've done for our community and our program, especially those two seniors. The legacy they leave is incredible."

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana girls basketball: Noblesville run ends in semistate