New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team continues sectional play this weekend at Rushville. The Dragons face No. 1 Roncalli in a semifinal matchup. FRIDAY: DRAGONS (15-8) vs. (1) RONCALLI (22-3) Time: 7:30 p.m. Site: Rushville Memorial Gym Tickets: $8, https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=171970&p=262545 Audio: NewPalRadio.com SATURDAY: SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Time: 7:30 p.m. Site: Rushville Memorial Gym Tickets: $8, https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=171971&p=262554 Audio: NewPalRadio.com SETTING THE SCENE The Dragons continue tournament play with a matchup against Roncalli in a rematch of last year’s sectional title game. NP is seeking its fourth straight sectional championship game appearance and eighth in the last nine years. NP has won six sectional titles - in 1990, 1992, 1993, 2004, 2018 and 2020. The 2004 title was in Class 3A, while the 2018 and 2020 championships were in Class 4A. Against Roncalli, the Dragons trail the all-time series 5-1. NP fell 58-56 in a tight game Jan. 20. Against the rest of the sectional field, NP leads the all-time series against both Shelbyville and Indian Creek. The Dragons beat IC 53-36 in November, but lost to Shelbyville 47-33 in early December. The Dragons are in their second season of their return Class 3A, where they competed from 1998-2011. The Dragons had spent the intervening 13 years in Class 4A. DRAGONS NOTES With 15 wins, the Dragons have clinched their 12th consecutive season with a .500 or better record, a program record. They posted their first 15-win season since 2021, and the 14th in program history. The Dragons have won three straight games, beating two quality teams - Yorktown and Eastern Hancock - to finish the regular season, and then jumping out to a 22-point first-quarter lead in a 59-17 victory over Greenwood in Wednesday’s sectional opener. Three Dragons scored in double figures against Greenwood - Gabbie Brown had 12 points, while Sadey Hughbanks and Brooklyn Crim had 10 each. Sophomore guard Haven Flagle tied her career high against Greenwood with 11 rebounds. She also set a career high with nine assists - one away from becoming the first Dragon with double-digit assists in a game in seven years - and had seven points and five steals. Senior Allyson White had 10 rebounds against Greenwood, one shy of her career high. Coupled with Flagle’s 11 boards, they became the second duo to tally double-digit rebounds in the same game this year. Hughbanks and Crim also did so against Greenfield-Central on Dec. 12. Hughbanks is the Dragons’ scoring leader, but she has turned up her game in January. She is averaging 13.9 ppg in 2026, with nine double-figure games. She tied her career high twice with 18 points against both Bloomington North and Pendleton Heights. Crim is averaging 12.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg in her last seven games. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS Roncalli enters ranked No. 1 in Class 3A with a 22-3 record and a 70-35 victory over Beech Grove in the opening round. Junior Elliot Leffler tallies 19.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Senior guard Brennah Cerny adds 9.3 ppg. The Royals have won 12 straight games and are seeking their second straight sectional title. Shelbyville has won seven of nine and drew the bye. Jayla Ash (13.8 ppg) and Hannah Baker (10.6 ppg) lead the Golden Bears in scoring. Indian Creek beat Rushville 53-43 in the opening round. Ellie Oliver leads the Braves with 14.0 ppg, while Alexa Sichting adds 13.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. LOOKING AHEAD The Rushville sectional champ faces the winner of the Shortridge sectional, which features Purdue Poly-Englewood (17-4), Cathedral (18-6), Crispus Attucks (11-11) and Shortridge (16-6). FOLLOW US Follow the Dragons on Facebook (@newpalestinedragons), Twitter (@NPHSDragons), Instagram (@newpalestinedragons) and online (NewPalestineAthletics.com). All Dragons home games are broadcast live at NewPalRadio.com and available via pay-per-view at IHSAAtv.org. NewPalRadio.com also broadcasts all IHSAA tournament games and select road games.