New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team dropped a 58-56 heartbreaker to Roncalli Tuesday night on the road. The Dragons got strong balance, with five players scoring at least seven points. Sadey Hughbanks tallied 15 points and Brooklyn Crim 12 to lead the Dragons. NP had a solid start, especially from outside, as Haven Flagle hit an early 3-opinter. Crim and Hughbanks each scored five first-quarter points - with each hitting a triple - and Kendra Moore scord four, but the Dragons trailed 18-17 after eight minutes. In the second, the Dragons surged ahead with a strong defensive effort, holding Roncalli to 10 points. Crim tallied five points to lead a balanced Dragons attack. Ally White added three as NP surged ahead 31-28 at the break. Gabbie Brown scored five points in the third quarter, while Hughbanks tallied four as the Dragons kept a slim 46-45 lead. Roncalli's Elliot Leffler scored 11 of her game-high 24 points in the quarter. In the fourth, the Royals hitw two 3-pointers to take the lead, and then hit three late free throws. Hughbanks hit a late 3-pointer to draw the Dragons close. NP got the ball back and had an open look for 3 at the buzzer, but it fell off. In addition to the two double-figure scorers, Moore scored nine points, Flagle eight and Brown seven. White scored three points and Sawyor Murdick two. The Dragons are now 12-8 on the season. They next play Tuesday at home against Eastern Hancock.