New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team rallied from a nine-point deficit to tie the game Tuesday, but surrendered a 10-point run in the final three minutes in a 45-35 loss to 3A No. 7 Greensburg. Prior to the game, the Dragons honored seniors Allie Blum, Ella Holman and Vivian Miller, a trio that has led the Dragons to a winning record in four consecutive seasons. The Dragons trailed 33-24 going into the final quarter, after Greensburg scored four points in the final 10 seconds of the third. But Blum ignited the Dragons with a steal-and-score, followed by another takeaway and a transition 3-pointer by Miller, cutting the deficit to four. Blum hit three free throws and Sadey Hughbanks two to draw NP within two at 35-33, and then Miller stole the ball and fed Blum for a layup to tie the game with 3:09 left. On the other end, Greensburg freshman Claire Larrison hit a baseline shot to break the tie. After a Dragons miss, the Pirates got a free throw, an offensive rebound and a basket to go up 40-35. They added a basket off a post feed and three free throws to seal the game. The Dragons had a strong start, with Miller scoring 10 points in the opening quarter, staking NP to an 18-8 lead. The Dragons then went cold, as Greensburg's press was able to force multiple turnovers and allow the Pirates to outscore NP 17-3 in the second quarter to go up 25-21 at the half, with Kenna Tweedy's 3-pointer the lone basket for NP in the frame. In the third, the two teams went scoreless for the quarter's first five minutes before Sadey Hughbanks scored to cut the deficit to 25-23, but Greensburg quickly answered with two free throws. A free throw by Miller cut the deficit to three, but the Pirates got a basket, a 3-pointer, a steal and a free throw after a disputed foul call at the buzzer that gave them a nine-point edge. Miller led the Dragons with 14 points, scoring 10 in the opening quarter. Blum added 11, with seven coming in the final stanza. Hughbanks added five, Tweedy three and Kylee Beranek two. Larrison led Greensburg with 17 points, while 6-foot-1 post Leah West added 10. The Dragons are now 11-10 on the season. They finish the regular season Thursday at Yorktown, and will clinch a piece of the Hoosier Heritage Conference championship with a victory. The Dragons won the JV game 35-16.