New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team fell behind early, but took control in the second quarter and used a balanced effort Tuesday to beat Mt. Vernon 41-33. The Dragons used great balance, as seven different players scored. Allie Blum led the way with 10 points, while Sadey Hughbanks and Vivian Miller scored nine each. The Dragons trailed 9-2 early, but got a spark from Hughbanks, who drilled a 3-pointer to get the Dragons going. Four players scored in the opening quarter to spark a 7-0 run to tie the game at 9-9 after one. Hughbanks opened the second quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Dragons a 15-9 edge. Natalie Sevier and Blum followed with baskets to push the lead to 19-10 and extend the run to 17-1. In addition to the spark she provided on offense, Hughbanks played a stellar defensive game, guarding MV's Ellery Minch and holding her scoreless before the Marauders senior left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. After a three-point play by MV cut the lead to six, Kenna Tweedy hit a late 3-pointer to give the Dragons a 22-13 edge going into halftime. In the second half, the Dragons extended the lead to 29-18 early in the third quarter, with Miller scoring an early three-point play and hitting two free throws. Tweedy, Kendra Moore and Blum also each hit shots in the period. MV cut the lead to 33-23 going into the final frame. The two teams were scoreless for the first 4:10 of the fourth quarter, as the Dragons patiently looked for open shots. Sevier broke the ice with the first points of the frame with 3:50 left, pushing the lead to 35-23. MV quickly answered with a 3-pointer and a basket to cut the lead to seven. A turnover and a foul gave the Marauders two free throws with 1:50 left. They hit one, and NP rebounded the miss. Miller and Blum went 6-for-6 from the line in the final 90 seconds to seal the victory. In addition to the top three scorers, Tweedy scored five points. Sevier had four, while Moore and Kylee Beranek had two each. Kanyonrae Kenny led MV with 11 points, scoring eight in the second half. The Dragons are now 6-6 on the season and 4-1 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play, having won four of their last five games. The victory snapped a five-game skid against MV and was the Dragons' first victory in the rivalry since 2020. The Dragons next play Thursday at Cathedral. The Dragons' JV also won 29-24.