New Palestine High School

A strong four-quarter defensive effort carried the Class 3A No. 10 New Palestine girls basketball team Friday in a 41-24 victory over Greenfield-Central. The Dragons struggled offensively in the opening half, but maintained a lead because they held G-C to 10 points in the opening 16 minutes. Things finally broke free for the Dragons in the third quarter. Leading 16-14, Kendra Moore drove inside, got fouled and hit two free throws. After a defensive stop, Moore popped free on the right wing and drained a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 21-14. G-C scored, but Moore again answered to restore a seven-point lead. Sawyor Murdick followed with a triple, while Sadey Hughbanks added a three-point play, a free throw and the Dragons led 28-16. Two free throws from Brooklyn Crim gave the Dragons a 30-19 lead after three. NP then pulled away in the fourth, with Haven Flagle and Hughbanks each drilling 3-pointers and Murdick adding a basket. Meanwhile, the Dragons' defense held G-C to five fourth-quarter points. Brylie Kirstein then added a late hoop for the Dragons. The Dragons led 6-4 after a quarter, with Hughbanks scoring four points - including a 3-pointer - and Crim a tough shot in the lane. Crim, Hughbanks and Ally White each scored second-quarter baskets to keep the Dragons on top 12-10 at the break before the Dragons finally began to hit shots in the third. Hughbanks led the Dragons with 13 points. Crim tallied nine. Moore scored seven - all to launch the game-deciding 14-2 run. Murdick tallied five points. Flagle scored three, while White and Kirstein both scored two. Moore and Gabbie Brown also did a strong job defensively on G-C scoring leader Izzy Silcox. She tallied five to lead the Cougars, but that was 11 points below her average. The 24 points allowed was the second-lowest total given up by the Dragons this season. NP is now 10-2 on the season and 3-1 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play. They next play Tuesday at home against Mt. Vernon. The Dragons also won the JV game played Thursday night at G-C to improve to 12-0 on the season.