NEW PALESTINE — Last preseason when asked how the 2019-20 campaign would unfold for her New Palestine girls basketball team, head coach Sarah Gizzi often answered directly and honestly.
“I don’t know?,” she remarked repeatedly.
Her response wasn’t a diversionary tactic packed with smoke and mirrors.
Gizzi truly didn’t know, but she hoped.
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Instead of focusing on it, her and the Dragons were more interested in finding out on their own through the process.
The question faded through the team’s 3-2 start a year ago. They felt confident in their potential after their six-game winning streak in late November that carried into mid-December.
From there, expectations began to build until a few key meltdowns in crucial situations continued to raise the original question.
I don’t know.
After claiming the program’s sixth sectional title and second in three years en route to an 18-8 season record, the Dragons found their answer and the same question.
Entering the 2020-21 season, the inquiry might remain, but the Dragons’ approach hasn’t changed.
“I don’t know?,” Gizzi remarked on the season ahead. “It’s interesting. I will be interesting. Every year, I wonder.”
Gizzi and the Dragons will have to wait a few extra days to get a glimpse with their season opener tonight against Connersville postponed until Jan. 9, 2021.
The Dragons will officially start their year at home next week on Wednesday against visiting Greenwood, which could be a good test.
Not that the Dragons need anymore after last year’s lessons. Yet, with any setback, there is application and improvement, and if this winter is anything like the last, those are good moments to absorb.
“I think some of the trials we had through the season, it really paid off in the end. I’ve never seen a group of girls have specific moments in games that we knew if we could have just done this or that differently at certain moments, the outcome could have been different,” Gizzi said. “We had two or three games like that were very clear for us as a staff and the girls felt it.
“We just kept learning and learning, and they finally thought at sectional time, whatever it takes, these are the moments we have to fight through.”
The returnees from last year’s sectional championship roster have another hurdle to clear this season without the presence of graduated seniors Jordan Reid (14.6 points per game) and Michaela Jones (9.9).
Reid, who is now playing basketball at Indiana Wesleyan, brought calm aggressiveness to the starting lineup, while Jones was a quiet, yet invaluable leader on both defense and on offense.
“There are some things you can’t replace, and you kind of have to make up for it in other ways. (Jordan’s) athleticism is something that is irreplaceable, but we have other girls, who can step up and contribute,” Gizzi said.
“What’s hard to replace with Jordan is some of her intangibles. And, she’s such a positive player. She always brought a lightness to the group. Those two were always so positive on the floor. You rarely saw them upset, and so I think that’s something we’re going to have to try to find within ourselves so we can continue to be successful, and not be too hard on ourselves.”
The remaining starters will use their preparation this past shortened AAU season and this fall to create a healthy balance, especially sophomore standout Isabella Gizzi.
The daughter of Sarah, an Indiana All-Star at New Palestine and the program’s career-scoring leader, Isabella is paving her own legacy.
As a freshman point guard, she averaged 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals for 288 points overall.
A sophomore to watch this year, Isabella competed with the Indy Magic this summer and trained with her older brother, Maximus, who is now at Marian University and the Dragons’ all-time career leading scorer in boys basketball.
“She’s got physically stronger and probably a little wiser as she’s gotten older. I’m really hoping she can take the next step, and as a group also where we can all sort of elevate ourselves and take that next step to kind of fill in what we lost and see what we can be as a new group and a new team as well,” Gizzi said.
Familiarity comes with senior Addi Jones (6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds), junior Grace Marshall (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and senior Faith Hensel (4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg).
Each are penciled in as starters with Gizzi along with junior Anna Ackerman, who logged 21 varsity games last year.
Hensel is back at 100 percent after offseason surgery to correct a hip injury, which she returned from within four months.
Off the bench, the Dragons will turn to soccer standout Whitney Miller, junior Rachel Kelley, sophomore Khloe Patterson, junior Alaina Miller and potentially freshman Koryn Marshall.
“We have a style. We like to play fast, and we like to play tough defense. Some modification, but our overall style will be the same,” Gizzi said. “We might be a little bit smaller again, so we’re going to continue to push the tempo and our girls have really worked on their skills, so I’m hoping we have some improved perimeter shooting.”
Regardless how the Dragons attack teams, their opponents will be targeting them, especially after they upset state-ranked Class 4A Mt. Vernon in the opening round of sectional to run the table towards the regional tournament.
“I think (winning last year) gives us tremendous confidence. We know we can perform in big moments, and I think the girls really draw from that and are really excited to play on a team that has a winning tradition,” Gizzi said. “I think the expectation that they have to try to continue to win games and be competitive gives confidence to the girls.
“They also have to believe they can do it. Not expect to win, but expect to compete. I think that’s huge. If you expect to be competitive, then who knows what can happen?”
Who really knows?
“I don’t ever consider us a favorite, and I don’t know why? Last year, I always thought I was the underdog a little bit, and I think we all feel that again this year,” Gizzi said. “I really do. I think our girls have something to prove.”
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New Palestine Girls Basketball 2020-21 Schedule
DATE;OPPONENT;EASTERN TIME
Nov. 5;at Connersville;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 11;Greenwood;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 14;Southport;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 17;at Franklin Central;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 21;at Lawrence North;1:30 p.m.
Nov. 24;Rushville;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 28;Whiteland;12:30 p.m.
Dec. 1;New Castle ©;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5;at Delta ©;2:30 p.m.
Dec. 8;at Shelbyville ©;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11;at Greenfield-Central ©;6 p.m.
Dec. 15;at Mt. Vernon ©;7:30 pm
Dec. 30;(N) Greensburg Tournament;TBA
Jan. 2;Yorktown ©;1:30 p.m.
Jan. 6;Fishers;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 12;at Triton Central;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15;at Pendleton Heights ©;6:00 p.m.
Jan. 19;at Beech Grove;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23;Indianapolis Cathedral;1:30 p.m.
Jan. 26;Lawrence Central;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28;Indianapolis Ritter;7:30 p.m.
© HHC Game
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