New Palestine High School

The New Palestine boys basketball team fell in a double-digit deficit early and was unable to rally Saturday in a 69-57 loss at Avon. The Dragons got to the line often in the first quarter, hitting 5-of-6 from the line, but Avon hit three 3-pointers and raced out to a 20-9 lead. Evan Darrah scored five points and Cael Butler had a three-point play in the frame for the Dragons. The deficit grew to 40-23 by halftime. Darrah and Butler scored four points each in the second quarter, but Avon leading scorer Jedidiah Minnett scored 11 points in the frame and had 18 points at halftime. The Dragons began to cut into the deficit in the third quarter with solid balance. Evan Study scored four points, Eli Parrett hit a 3-pointer and four other players scored, but they trailed 50-38. In the fourth, Darrah hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points. Will Davison scored four, but the Dragons were unable to cut further into the deficit. Darrah led the Dragons with 19 points. Davison and Butler scored nine each. Sam Hirschy and Study each tallied six. Parrett scored five and Kade Stephens three. The Dragons are now 6-7 on the season. They next play Friday at home against Roncalli.