New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team dropped its season opener Thursday, falling 54-43 at Connersville. The Dragons took a quick lead on Kendra Moore's 3-pointer in the opening minute, but Connersville finished the first quarter on a 12-2 run to take a 12-5 lead. The Dragons clawed back in the second quarter, with Brooklyn Crim scoring four points off the bench and Haven Flagle draining a 3-pointer, but they trailed 22-18 at halftime. The Dragons opened the third with a quick five-point run, taking the lead when Sadey Hughbanks drilled a triple to go up 23-22. But Connersville answered with a run to re-take the lead. Hughbanks scored five points in the frame and Flagle drilled another 3-pointer to draw NP within four at 36-32, but Connersville hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to take a seven-point lead going into the fourth. The Spartans then opened the final frame with another triple for a quick six-point run to go up 10. The Dragons used their pressure defense to try to battle back, but could get no closer than seven down the stretch. Gabbie Brown tallied eight points in her first varsity start, while Flagle scored eight in her first high school game, to lead the Dragons, Hughbanks added seven points. Crim scored six. Tylar Whitaker and Kylee Beranek scored four points each. Moore and Kenna Tweedy each tallied three. The Dragons dropped the JV game 41-34. The Dragons (0-1) are in action Saturday in their home opener against Batesville, with a 5 p.m. JV tipoff. The Dragons will celebrate 50 years of girls basketball that evening, with all former players and coaches being granted free admission.