NEW PALESTINE — Sometimes you have to lose to win.
Sarah Gizzi was never a fan of that philosophy as a 1994 Indiana All-Star at New Palestine High School, but now as the Dragons girls basketball head coach, she’s learned to appreciate that perspective a little bit more.
With several new starters in her varsity lineup for 2019-20, Gizzi knew the Dragons were capable of greatness after winning a sectional title in her first season at the helm and 21 games the following year in 2018-19.
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The question, however, was, would her players realize it?
The Dragons answered Gizzi with an 18-8 record and a late charge in February to capture the program’s sixth sectional title all-time and second in three years.
“We were cautiously optimistic about what our season could be, and I was really proud of the girls because they came together and really finished on that upswing like you want every year,” said Gizzi, the 2019-20 All-Hancock County Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. “They definitely matured, gelled and improved, so I was super proud.”
The Dragons’ steady development throughout the season and their four-game run before losing to Brownsburg in the regional semifinal punctuated their fortitude.
The key to victory was learning from their setbacks, and it was put on display in the postseason.
“We were such a different looking team. We just didn’t have the size we had the past couple of years, so we kind of had to adjust our focus and our style a little bit,” Gizzi said. “But once we figured that out, and our girls figured out how they could fit into their roles that’s when we started to see good things and see that improvement even when we lost some of our tougher games.”
The loses fueled the Dragons, who were led by senior Jordan Reid and her 14.6 points per game, along with freshman point guard Isabella Gizzi (11.1 ppg) and senior Michaela Jones’ lock down defense.
Only three of the team’s multiple, vital pieces to the puzzle, chemistry throughout the roster supplied the Dragons the attitude to recover, even in the face of defeat.
“This group of girls was so much fun. They never took things too seriously, but they worked really hard, so that was a fun balance to have,” Gizzi said. “I had to help reel them back in sometimes when they were getting kind of goofy and crazy, but that was a really fun attitude. They wanted to be really successful and do well, and there were high expectations, but they just really enjoyed playing with each other.”
Frustrating losses to Lawrence North, 53-35 on Nov. 23, and self-induced defeats to Greensburg, 68-59 in overtime, on Dec. 28, and 56-50 against Fishers on Jan. 8 during the regular season were learning moments.
“I don’t think I’ve always agreed that losing has to happen. I don’t think it has to happen with every team, but I’ve talked to a lot of other coaches over the years, who have said they liked losing a particular game or two that made their team more hungry,” Gizzi said. “For my girls, it wasn’t a reality check, it was they realized they could be better. That’s where they really matured.”
It was evident at the Richmond Sectional where they made their push.
It all started with avenging the past by defeating rival Mt. Vernon, 41-32, in the opening round after losing the Hoosier Heritage Conference title and their regular-season matchup to the Marauders on Dec. 19, 44-25.
“The sectional was phenomenal. We really thought we could compete, and we felt like we had a chance, and we knew Mt. Vernon was the favorite. They were having such an incredible year, and they really just took it to us during the season and really gave us a lot to think about,” Gizzi said. “The girls weren’t intimidated or nervous, I think they were excited to have another chance and another challenge. That was a phenomenal win for us.”
Then next two wins were by-products of the team’s unity and capability. They knocked off HHC foe Pendleton Heights, 58-50, after needing overtime during the regular season to win 55-53 on Jan. 17. Against Anderson in the sectional finals, they prevailed 64-53.
“After each of those tough losses, they knew they were in the game at a crucial point, and we knew exactly what happened when the wheels came off the cart,” Gizzi said. “It was just a matter of them realizing that and if we could eliminate those errors and put a full game together, then we can compete with those teams.
“It was really three fantastic games the girls put together, which was an amazing end to the season.”
