New Palestine High School

The New Palestine boys basketball team dropped a tight 58-52 decision Saturday at Connersville. The game was close throughout, with neither team building more than a five-point lead until the closing stages. The contest featured six ties and 10 lead changes. The lead changed hands multiple times in the first quarter, where the Dragons trailed 9-8 after a frame, with Ben Slagley scoring four early points. In the second, the Dragons opened the quarter with three consecutive 3-pointers from Ian Stephens, Blaine Nunnally and Julius Gizzi and led 17-12. After trading baskets, Connersville went on a 7-0 run to take a 21-19 lead before the Dragons rallied. Nunnally hit a shot to tie the game and Slagley scored a three-point play to put NP up 24-21, but Connersville answered with a three-point play to tie the game. In the closing minute, Slagley was fouled and split two free throws, but the Dragons rebounded the miss and held for the last shot. It missed, but Slagley reached up and scored on a one-handed tip-in while falling to the floor to give the Dragons a 27-24 lead at the half. Slagley scored a quick basket to open the third and extend the lead to five, but Connersville again went on a 7-0 run to re-take the lead at 31-29. Stephens hit two free throws to tie the game, which were answered by a Connersville basket. On the next possession, Moses Haynes fed Nunnally for a triple to put the Dragons back up 34-33. Connersville answered with a basket to re-take the lead, Nunnally followed with a 3-pointer, but it was answered by a Connersville triple. A late exchange of baskets saw the Dragons trailing 40-39 going into the fourth. Connersville started the fourth quarter on a 7-1 run to take a 47-40 lead, with Stephens' free throw the Dragons' point and Braxton Myers scoring all seven for Connersville. The Dragons tried to rally, as Stephens hit a pair of inside shots to draw the Dragons within four and Nunnally hit two late 3-pointers in the closing minute, but the Spartans hit 10-of-11 from the line in the fourth quarter to close it out. Nunnally led the Dragons with 21 points, his second 20-point game of the weekend. He hit five 3-pointers and moved his career total to 1,161. Slagley added 14 points, scoring 10 in the first half. Stephens scored seven of his 12 points after halftime. Gizzi scored three and Haynes two. Myers led Connersville, scoring 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter. Josh Williams added 19, scoring nine in the third quarter. The Dragons are now 18-2 on the season. They next play Friday at home against Mt. Vernon with a chance to clinch the outright HHC title. Connersville is now 15-4. The Dragons dropped the JV game 51-48.