New Palestine High School

Sawyor Murdick hit a 3-pointer out of the corner in the final minute Tuesday, giving the New Palestine girls basketball team the go-ahead basket in a 46-44 victory over host New Castle. The Dragons trailed 44-42 in the final minute when Murdick got free in the left corner and drilled her third 3-pointer of the period to put the Dragons on top. On the other end, the Trojans turned the ball over thanks to tight interior defense. NP ran out most of the clock when Gabbie Brown was fouled in the final seconds. She hit one free throw, and New Castle missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer on the other end. Murdick scored a career-high 18 points - all on triples - to lead the Dragons. NP trailed 36-32 going into the final quarter when the sophomore guard hit her first 3-pointer of the quarter to cut the deficit to one. The Dragons took the lead shortly thereafter on a Brooklyn Crim basket, but New Castle responded with four straight points to go up 40-37. Murdick again drained a 3-pointer to tie the game. New Castle, which didn't hit a field goal for the game's final five minutes, was able to draw back-to-back fouls and split both attempts to go up 42-40, and eventually 44-40 after another two free throws. Sadey Hughbanks scored inside to cut the deficit to two, the Dragons forced a turnover to get the ball back, setting the stage for Murdick's game-winning basket. The Dragons used strong early 3-point shooting against New Castle's zone to take an 11-7 lead after a quarter, as Murdick, Haven Flagle and Hughbanks all hit 3-pointers. They extended their lead to 24-16 at the half, with Murdick drilling two 3-pointers, Ally White scoring a basket and the Dragons going 5-of-8 from the line. However, New Castle got hot in the third, while the Dragons were held to two field goals - baskets by Brown and Hughbanks - and 4-of-6 from the line. The Trojans hit four 3-pointers and outscored the Dragons 20-8 in the frame to take a four-point lead going into the final quarter. In addition to Murdick's 18 points, Hughbanks tallied nine. Flagle, Kendra Moore and Crim all scored five point each. Brown and White tallied two each. The Dragons were 8-of-12 from the line in the game. The Dragons improved to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play. They next play Saturday afternoon at home against Delta.