Sports editor Brian Heinemann reports:
SOUTHPORT – The New Palestine Dragons gave Ben Davis everything it could handle in the title game of the Southport Regional but fell just short Saturday night of making the semistate.
The final: Ben Davis 53, New Palestine 47.
The Giants appeared headed for a comfortable win after a hot start to the second half. They eventually pushed the lead to 12 with three minutes left in the game as New Palestine repeatedly couldn’t get the big shots to fall.
But the Dragons finally pulled within four points — and had the ball — with a minute to go. A missed three-pointer with 44.7 seconds left was New Palestine’s best chance cut the lead to a one-possession game. The Dragons could get no closer.
New Palestine finished the season with 19 wins.
It was the first time in 30 years New Palestine played for a regional title. The Dragons advanced to the title game with a 64-59 win against Avon in the regional semifinal. Ben Davis knocked off top-ranked Lawrence Central in the other semifinal.
Complete coverage of Saturday’s regional will appear in Tuesday’s print edition of the Daily Reporter.
