New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team used a strong defensive effort Saturday to win its home opener 45-30 over Batesville. The Dragons jumped out to an early lead, as Isabella Gizzi scored eight points to give the Dragons a 12-8 lead. Batesville began the second quarter with a 7-2 run to take a 15-14 lead, but the Dragons answered with a basket by Nevaeh Gebhart, a three-point play by Gizzi and a hoop by Kylee Beranek to go up 21-15 at halftime. The Dragons added to the lead, going up 30-21 in the third quarter as Gizzi and Vivian Miller each hit 3-pointers. A 15-point fourth quarter, in which Gizzi hit 6-of-8 from the line and scored nine points, while Miller, Beranek and Sadey Hughbanks each added baskets, put the game away. Gizzi led the Dragons with 26 points. Miller added seven, Hughbanks six, Beranek four and Gebhart two. The Dragons are now 2-0. They next play Wednesday at home against Greenwood.