New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team had a strong effort Tuesday against one of Marion County's top teams, but ultimately fell 63-53 to visiting Lawrence Central. The 10-point final margin was the only time the lead hit double digits, as it was a one or two-score game for much of the night. The two teams played a back-and-forth first quarter, with the Dragons pushing the ball on the break and finding early offense, with Isabella Gizzi scoring six points in the opening frame. The Dragons trailed 13-12 after eight minutes and multiple lead changes. LC opened the second quarter with five straight points to push its lead to six, but the Dragons answered with a three-possession eight-point run, as Gizzi hit a shot, then she and Allie Blum hit 3-pointers to put the Dragons up 20-18. LC answered with a 3-pointer, but Gizzi gave the Dragons the lead back with a triple, and Kylee Beranek later hit a rainbow jumper from the block to put NP up 25-23. LC got a late basket to tie the game at 25-25 going into the half. LC again began the third quarter with a run, using a half-court press to fuel a 9-0 run to go up 36-27. The Dragons again answered back with a 9-1 run to draw within a point at 37-36, with Blum hitting a 3-pointer, Gizzi a pair of baskets and Vivian Miller a runner in the run. The Bears then answered with seven straight points to take a 44-36 lead into the fourth. Again, the Dragons responded, cutting the deficit to 48-45 on four points from Gizzi, a 3-pointer by Blum and a basket by Miller. LC was able to respond and push its lead back to 56-50, despite a three-point play by Blum and another hoop by Gizzi. The Dragons kept clawing back, but LC continued to answer and hit five late free throws to put the game away. Gizzi scored 26 points, her 10th 20-point game of the season in 14 outings. Blum added 14 points, her second-highest total of the season. She hit three 3-pointesr on the night. Miller added six points, Sadey Hughbanks five and Beranek two. Lawrence Central was led by 18 points each from Jaylah Lampley and Laila Abdurraqib, who combined for 26 second-half points. The Dragons fall to 7-7 on the season, while the visiting Bears improve to 9-3. The Dragons are next in action Thursday at home against Southport, with a 6 p.m. JV tipoff, followed by the varsity at 7:30 p.m. The Dragons dropped a tight JV game 36-34.