New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team trailed for much of the contest Thursday, but rallied to take a lead in the final two minutes and strung together defensive stops to beat Franklin County 52-47. The Dragons trailed by nine in the first half and by 10 early in the third quarter, but took advantage of the Wildcats' foul trouble to mount a comeback. Vivian Miller hit Allie Blum and Kylee Beranek once with long passes to set up fast-break points, with Blum hitting a layup and Beranek drawing a foul and hitting a free throw. Blum followed with a steal-and-score cutting what had been a 32-22 deficit to five. After a Wildcat basket, Blum hit two free throws and Miller followed with a driving shot and a free throw to cut the FC lead to 34-32 and end the quarter on a 10-2 run. FC hit an early 3-pointer to go up 37-32, but Blum hit a driving shot and, after the Dragons' press forced another turniver, Sadey Hughbanks drilled a 3-pointer out of the corner to tie the game. Franklin County answered with back-to-back baskets from its leading scorer, senior Nicole Mears, but Hughbanks found Blum cutting to the basket for a hoop. After forcing a stop, the Dragons' Kenna Tweedy then took a handoff and knocked down a 17-footer to tie the game. Each team split two free throws on its next possession, before FC's Tiffany Billman hit two from the line to put her team up 44-42. Hughbanks drew Mears' fifth foul on a third-chance offensive rebound and hit one free throw to cut the deficit to one. FC missed two free throws, giving the Dragons an opportunity to take the lead. Tweedy took advantage, drilling a 3-pointer to give the Dragons their first lead of the game at 46-44 with 1:20 to go.. The Dragons again forced a stop. Blum split two free throws to put NP up three. Billman was fouled and split a pair to cut the lead to 47-45. Blum again split two free throws to give the Dragons a three-point lead. Billman hit a driving shot to cut the lead to one with 12 seconds left, but Vivian Miller was fouled and hit both free throws to restore a three-point lead. On the next possession, the Dragons' defense forced a steal, leading to Tweedy icing the game with two free throws. Tweedy had a huge fourth quarter, scoring seven of her 10 points, including outside shots to tie the game and later give the Dragons a lead. Blum added six of her game-high 19 points in the frame, while Hughbanks scored five of her seven, including a 3-pointer that forged the game's first tie. The Dragons outscored the Wildcats 20-13 in the fourth quarter and 30-15 over the game's last 12 minutes to rally for the victory. The Dragons fell behind by seven early, thanks to Mears and fellow 6-foot forward Ruby Singer, who combined for 10 points, but Miller and Blum each hit two first-quarter shots to keep the Dragons within contact at 14-8 after eight minutes. FC quickly extended the lead to nine early in the second quarter, but the Dragons clawed back as Miller hit a three-point play and a 3-pointer and Tweedy added a triple to draw the Dragons within 25-20 at the break. FC opened the second half with a 7-2 run to take a 10-point lead before the Dragons mounted their rally. Blum's 19 points led the way. Miller added 15 - with 10 coming in the first half - and Tweedy 10. Hughbanks scored seven and Beranek one. Mears led FC with 17 points. The Dragons also won the JV game 45-20. The Dragons are now 8-8 on the season after their second straight victory. They next play Jan. 4 at Bloomington North.