New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit on multiple occasions Thursday, but the comeback fell short in a 35-28 loss to Connersville. The Dragons trailed 27-14 going into the final frame, but an early 3-pointer and steal-and-score by Allie Blum cut the deficit to single digits. With Blum leading an aggressive full-court press, the Dragons continually forced turnovers and didn't allow a Connersville field goal in the final six minutes. A breakaway layup by Kendra Moore drew the deficit to six. Natalie Sevier also had two key hoops in the fourth, while Sadey Hughbanks had a basket and a free throw. Twice, the Dragons had the ball with a chance to cut deficits to four, but a missed shot and a turnover allowed Connersville to maintain its edge. The Dragons held Connersville to three field goals and 13 points in the second half. The Spartans' final six points came from the line. Blum led the Dragons with 11 points. Sevier added seven, tallying four in the fourth quarter. Kylee Beranek, who had a number of fourth-quarter steals, added five points. Hughbanks scored three and Moore two. Blum got the Dragons off to a strong start with a 3-pointer to begin the game, but Connersville answered with a 12-1 run to take a 12-4 edge at the quarter break. Beranek hit a 3-pointer and Sevier a basket to begin the second and cut the deficit to 12-9, but the Spartans responded with 10 straight points to take a 22-9 edge going into halftime. Again, the Dragons opened the third quarter with five consecutive points - a 3-pointer by Blum and a basket by Beranek - to cut the deficit to eight, but Connersville held the Dragons off the scoreboard and tallied five points to restore a 13-point edge going into the final frame. The Dragons (0-1) are next in action Saturday at Batesville, with a 5 p.m. JV tip, followed by the varsity at 6:30 p.m. The Dragons won the JV game 43-28.