Daily Reporter staff reports
The New Palestine gymnastics team scored a season-high 104.425 points to out-distance Noblesville (93.3) on Tuesday.
The host and No. 15-ranked Dragons were led by all-around winner Kate Fee (34.675).
Fee also won the vault (8.925) competition.
New Palestine also received victories from Regan Elsea in the uneven bars (8.825), balance beam (9.5) and floor exercise (9.3).
The Dragons’ Tara Morey finished second in the all-around (33.225) and tied for second on the floor (8.525) with Fee.
Faith Land was second in the vault (8.425), and Emily Heighway grabbed second on the bars (8.3).
GIRLS BASKETball
Marauders roll by Stars
With their 51-34 victory against Western Boone on Tuesday night, the Marauders drew one win closer to their fourth 20-win campaign in five years.
Mt. Vernon’s Sydney Shelton led the offensive assault with 19 points (to surpass 1,400 for her career). Olivia Coleman backed her up with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Shaely Duff and Ariana Sandefur registered eight points each.
Class 3A Western Boone fell to 12-10.
The Marauders (19-2) have one regular-season matchup remaining on the docket — Friday’s tilt at Fort Wayne Canterbury (16-1) — before squaring off with Greenfield-Central (16-6) on Feb. 10 in the opening round of the sectional tournament in Fortville.
Dragons close with win
New Palestine concluded its regular season with a 56-47 victory Tuesday night at Connersville.
It was the Dragons’ first victory against the Spartans (11-11) in three tries. New Palestine trailed by eight in the second quarter but rallied to take a 34-30 lead at the end of the third and outscored the Spartans 22-17 in the final period.
Gia Nitschke led the Dragons with 14 points. Raegan McMurray and Haley Stratman each had 12. Carly Hackler scored six and Emma Laughlin five.
Taylor Stephen led Connersville with 29 points.
New Palestine finishes the regular season with an 11-11 record, the most regular-season wins for the Dragons since the 2004-05 season. The Dragons open sectional play Feb. 13 at Greenwood against either Greenwood or Franklin.
BOYS SWIMMING
Royals finish 2nd at meet
Eastern Hancock wrapped up its regular season with a second-place finish Tuesday at Greensburg. The Royals picked up 107 points, defeating Oldenburg Academy (57 points) and falling to meet-winner Greensburg (147).
For the third straight meet, Royals freshman Kohler Kerber broke school records, as he set new milestones in the 100 freestyle (57.55) and 100 breaststroke (1:14.24).
He also owns the school record in the 500 freestyle.
“I thought the boys did an excellent job of racing hard with minimal rest,” Eastern Hancock coach Derek McCormick said. “There was lots of team energy and good team chemistry. The boys have closed the gap between a lot of teams this year.”
The boys compete again Feb. 19 in the Sectional 15 swimming preliminaries at New Palestine.
