New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team used a strong defensive effort and several key runs to defeat Whiteland 71-60 Saturday at NPHS. The Dragons built a 15-point lead at halftime and withstood a number of Warrior second-half runs to put the game away. Isabella Gizzi scored a season-high 33 points for the Dragons, tying the second-highest total of her career and marking her fifth career 30-point game. She also scored 33 last season against the Warriors. In addition, Vivian Miller scored her career high with 17 points, while Allie Blum tied her career high with 14 points. The Dragons jumped out to a 14-7 lead after a quarter, using a defense that forced 11 opening-frame turnovers and turned them into fast-break points, with Gizzi scoring six and Blum four. In the second, the Dragons pushed the lead to 15 points with a late run at the end of the quarter, led by Gizzi's 10 points and Miller's nine. Blum also added a key 3-pointer in the frame. The Dragons forced 24 turnovers in the contest, with 17 coming in the opening half. In the third, Whiteland opened the quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to eight, but Gizzi hit a 3-pointer to push the lead back to double-digits. Whiteland again went on a four-point spurt to cut the lead to 43-35, but another 3-pointer by Gizzi keyed a seven-point run that featured baskets by Gizzi and Blum and pushed the lead to 50-35. Led by wing Gwen Higdon, who scored 14 of her 24 points in the third quarter, Whiteland responded with 11 straight points bridging the third and fourth quarters to cut the lead to 50-46. But the Dragons again answered. Kylee Beranek hit a backdoor layup for her only basket of the game - two crucial points. Gizzi followed with a 3-pointer and a three-point play off a tight post-to-post pass from Blum, Miller hit a shot in traffic and the Dragons eventually pushed the advantage back to double-digits. The Dragons hit 10-of-12 from the line to help put the game away, with Miller going 4-for-4 and Blum 2-for-2 in the closing stages. The Dragons were 21-of-30 from the line for the game. In addition to the three double-figure scorers, Sadey Hughbanks scored four points and played strong interior defense on the taller Warriors. Beranek tallied two and Ella Holman one. Tylar Whitaker did not score but provided strong defense and several steals. The Dragons are now 4-3 on the season and have won back-to-back games. They open Hoosier Heritage Conference play Tuesday at home against New Castle, with a 6 p.m. JV and 7:30 p.m. varsity start. The Dragons dropped a 42-34 decision in the JV game.