New Palestine High School

Nearly 50 years to the day after it played its first game, the New Palestine girls basketball team reached a milestone Thursday, beating Franklin County 53-46 for the program's 600th win. The Dragons used a fast start to take the lead and never looked back. Sadey Hughbanks and Tylar Whitaker combined for the Dragons' first seven points, then Haven Flagle hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points in the opening quarter, allowing the Dragons to jump out to a 22-14 lead. The Dragons had a slow second quarter offensively - getting only a basket from Kylee Beranek and a free throw from Hughbanks - but held the Wildcats to just six points and led 25-20 at halftime. The Dragons then pushed the lead to double digits in the third, with Flagle hitting two 3-pointers and Hughbanks two baskets to push the lead to 39-29 after three. Whitaker hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth and the Dragons hit 9-of-14 from the line down the stretch to seal the victory. Flagle led the Dragons with a career-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Hughbanks added 13 points. Whitaker tallied nine, Beranek eight, Kendra Moore three and Gabbie Brown two. The Dragons are now 6-7 on the season. They next play Thursday at home against Bloomington North.