New Palestine High School

The New Palestine boys basketball game won a tight game Saturday against Columbus East, beating the visiting Olympians 56-51. The Dragons fell behind 13-5 early after the Olympians went on an 11-0 first-quarter run, but a three-point play by Evan Study and a 3-pointer by Evan Darrah drew the Dragons within six, at 17-11, after the opening frame. The Dragons turned up their defense in the second, holding the Olympians to one field goal in the quarter and outscoring the Olympians 13-6 to take a 24-23 halftime lead. Darrah opened the quarter with a basket, followed by a 3-pointer by Layton Pardue. Darrah finished the quarter with back-to-back hoops to give him six points for the frame. The Dragons led 40-38 after three, building a five-point lead after back-to-back baskets by Darrah, but a late 3-pointer by the Olympians cut the lead to two. Six different Dragons scored in the quarter. The Dragons built distance in the fourth, as Eli Parrett opened the frame with his second 3-pointer of the game. Cael Butler followed with two free throws and a 3-pointer. A late basket by Parrett helped seal the game, as well as two free throws in the final minute. NP was 8-for-12 from the line in the final quarter. Parrett tallied seven points in teh frame and Butler six. Darrah led the Dragons with 15 points. Parrett added 14. Butler scored nine points, Hirschy seven and Study five. Pardue and Will Davison tallied three points each. The Dragons are now 10-10 on the season. They next play Friday at Mt. Vernon.