Daily Reporter staff reports
RICHMOND — With the game still hanging in the balance late Wednesday night, New Palestine’s Maximus Gizzi and the Dragons’ defense left no doubt.
Gizzi buried four free throws to break a late 42-all tie, and the visiting Dragons forced consecutive misses en route to a 49-42 victory against host Richmond.
The Dragons were led by Gizzi’s 17 points, while Dawson Eastes added nine points during New Palestine’s boys basketball season opener at the Tiernan Center. Eastes capped the Dragons’ final push with three clutch free throws in the final 22 seconds.
Richmond tied the game in the fourth quarter behind a 5-0 run, but the Dragons (1-0) kept their cool as Gizzi was 7 of 8 from the foul line and 13 of 14 in the game.
New Palestine built a 16-11 lead early behind back-to-back 3-pointers from Dylan Romine, who came off the bench.
The Dragons’ lead stood 28-25 at halftime with Richmond chipping away as Christian Harvey scored 17 points for the hosts before the break. Harvey had a game-high 25 points.
Richmond charged back to cut its deficit to 35-34 in the third quarter, but the late tie was as close as they would get in the final eight minutes.
New Palestine returns to action on Dec. 1 when they travel to Shenandoah.
Wrestling
Cougars take down Arabians
The Greenfield-Central wrestling team won nine matches — four by pin — to defeat host Pendleton Heights 42-30 in a Hoosier Heritage Conference dual on Wednesday night.
The Cougars’ fastest pin went to freshman Isaac Swartz at 106 pounds in 1 minute, 20 seconds. Sophomore Dylan Dorman won by fall in 2:46 at 113, while Cooper Noehre, a sophomore, pinned his opponent in 5:51 at 145.
Senior 170-pounder Brad Lowe won by fall in 1:53, and senior Carter Noehre won by technical fall 17-1 at 132.
Junior Gavin Rose won by decision 11-5 at 120. Larry Evans scored a major decision 15-4 at 126. Sophomore Kenny Thompson won by decision 10-6 at 145, and junior Hunter Gulden scored a 12-8 decision at 220.
The Cougars (5-1) travel to Franklin Central on Thursday.
Dragons extinguish Red Devils
The New Palestine wrestling team won 11 of 14 matches to route the host Pike Red Devils 66-15 on Tuesday night.
Logan Robinson hardly broke a sweat at 170 pounds for the Dragons, winning his match by pin in 35 seconds for the fastest fall of the night.
Landan Burton used 1:03 to win at 220 by fall. Chris Hafley won by pin in 1:49 at 152. Jared Diep (120), Max Jones (138) and Noah Wright (145) gave the Dragons six pins.
New Palestine collected 30 points by forfeit. The Dragons are now 4-2 on the season.
Swimming
Royals break records in dual
The Eastern Hancock boys and girls swim teams had a strong showing against Centerville early this week.
The girls team lost 130-42 and the boys fell 90-85, but the group collectively set more than a dozen season and personal best times.
For the boys, Lane Coffin was first in the 200-yard IM and in the 100 butterfly. Elijah Harris was the 50 and 100 freestyle, while Chris Walton was the winner in the 100 backstroke and 500 free.
The boys medley relay team of Walton, Coffin, Harris and Garrett Henderson set a new school record in the race by three seconds.
Cougars boys win big
The Greenfield-Central boys swim team defeated host Franklin Central 128-55 on Tuesday. The Cougars won 11 events.
Same Jennings took the 200 and 500 freestyle races. Ethan Kile was first in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. Travis Black was first in the 50 free.
Ben Rader won the diving competition. Zach Cook was first in the 100 butterfly, and was part of the team’s first-place 200 free relay and 400 free relay, along with Chris Joven and others. Joven added a win in the 100 free.
Cougars girls win close one
The Greenfield-Central girls swim team defeated Franklin Central 98-87 this week. The Cougars sprinters helped seal the victory.
The team’s top finishers were: Carley Logan (200 and 500 free), Megan Coffin (200 IM), Braedy Laymon (50 and 100 free), Maci Montgomery (diving), and Hannah Russo (100 butterfly).
The Cougars 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams also won.
Dragons win at Pendleton
The New Palestine girls swim team defeated host Pendleton Heights 138-48 this week.
Sophomore Jessica Rogers won the 100 freestyle by 0.14 seconds. She was also second in the 200 free. Karen Shriver was second in the diving, and Maria Virt was runner-up in the 500 free.
The medley relay team of Virt, Hailee Holberton, Rogers and Jordan Owens were second. Virt, Rogers, Holberton and Anna Doolin were second in the 400 free relay.
The Dragons compete on Tuesday in a triangular meet against Yorktown and Delta, which is also the boys season opener.
Girls Basketball
Cougars fall to Warriors
The Greenfield-Central girls basketball team lost a tough one at Warren Central on Tuesday night 58-41.
The Cougars were led by Kate Real, who finished with 15 points. She buried five 3-pointers in the game. Hannah Farrell added 11 points. The Cougars are now 1-5 on the season.
