NEW PALESTINE — The conclusion wasn’t anything near what the Class 4A New Palestine Dragons had envisioned.
Only days away from returning to the Southport Regional this past March with a chance to vie for an IHSAA boys basketball state tournament final four berth, the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
No more high school sports. No more basketball. No more season.
Led by the school’s all-time leading scorer in senior Maximus Gizzi, senior big man Dawson Eastes and senior multi-sport standout Eric Roudebush, the Dragons’ opportunity to avenge their 2018-19 regional final loss vanished.
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While they didn’t lose their last game of the 2019-20 postseason, they didn’t actually get a chance to win it either, though their final official on-court victory did secure the second of the team’s three-pronged season-long goals.
Already crowned the 2019-20 Hoosier Heritage Conference champions, the Dragons finished their 14-12 campaign a champion nonetheless inside Muncie Central Fieldhouse, hoisting the sectional trophy for a second straight year.
The state tournament’s cancellation was a difficult finale to accept, New Palestine head coach Trent Whitaker remarked, but while jarring, it didn’t negate the team’s achievements of claiming a ninth sectional title overall and third in 4A since 2012.
"It didn’t finish the way we wanted it to, obviously, but we won the sectional championship, and the thing our kids need to understand is the bull’s eye is kind on our back right now, winning two sectional titles in a row. Two years ago, getting beat by Ben Davis in the elite eight, the standard has kind of been set," Whitaker said.
"I think some people are looking at us and thinking this is going to be a down year for the Dragons, and if you look at it on paper, I would probably agree with them, but the one thing that doesn’t show on the roster is the fight and heart of the kids."
Not to say the Dragons are devoid of talent.
With three key returnees back in 6-foot-5 junior Steele Brasfield, 5-10 sophomore Blaine Nunnally and 6-4 senior Matthew Brown, the Dragons intend to utilize their experience and depth in their pursuit at a potential three-peat.
"Experience wise we have three guys coming back that played a lot of minutes last year. Obviously, we lost three that played a lot of minutes and did a lot," Whitaker said. "But, Blaine, Steele and Matthew Brown are back, so we have those three guys, which is a really nice foundation."
Brasfield was the hero a year ago, burying the decisive go-ahead 3-pointer late against Muncie Central during the sectional championship game to help the Dragons win 54-53.
As a full-time starter this season, Brasfield brings confidence to the lineup along with 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, which he averaged through 26 contests.
"The biggest thing with him is he’s gotten bigger and stronger. His strength is becoming apparent, and he’s got to be able to do more than just shoot the basketball for us this year. And, he’s done a nice job this summer of knowing that and understanding that," Whitaker said. "He’s been working on that part of his game, going to the rim and working the mid-range."
Nunnally provided the Dragons with essentially another point guard on the floor along with Gizzi, who averaged 23.4 points per game, last sason. Nunnally posted 4.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a true freshman.
"Blaine does an incredible job of just seeing the floor and getting people involved, and he’s kind of become the floor general in practice," Whitaker said. "It’s one of those things where he’s seeing things, talking to me and I’m trying to get him to the point where he can lead.
"You talk about déjà vu, and it’s kind of like how it was with Maximus four years ago. It’s kind of nice to have another point guard that’s been with me since freshman year, and hopefully, the next three years, we can build that relationship and get to that point."
Brown averaged 4.1 points and 4.3 rebounds as a junior, and will be joined by 6-1 senior Eli Stephens and 6-3 senior Kyle Bastian in the starting five.
Sophomore Luke Burgess, a 6-8 center, will be the first player off the bench in addition to 6-2 junior Damon Hockett.
"The nice thing about this group is we’re pretty deep," Whitaker said. "We got those seven, but then we got another senior in C.J. Oliver, a junior in Jaret Whitaker and then our sophomore class. Those guys bring depth in practice and competition. It’s a really deep team right now, which I’m really excited about not only for this year but the future."
Sophomores Ian Stephens, who stands 6-4, and Bryant Nunnally represent the Dragons’ sibling connection, while Eian Roudebush, a sophomore, fills out the team’s versatile roster.
"The biggest thing we need to do is stay together, even though we battle at practice, we’re all on the same team. It will only makes us better down the road," Whitaker said. "That’s the one thing, I think, we’ve prided ourselves on; gritty and not pretty. We’ve won a lot of ballgames, and it’s not always pretty, but the goal is to win. And, what we need to do is figure out our roles for all our kids and let them reach the best of their ability."
The season officially begins for the Dragons on Saturday, Nov. 28 at home against Beech Grove following their scrimmage tonight at Scecina Memorial.
Their HHC title defense opens Friday, Dec. 11 at rival Greenfield-Central.
"You want it. That’s what you play for. You start hanging sectional championship banners and people want to take you down from there," Whitaker said. "The idea is, and I preach this a lot, I want to win ballgames, but when it comes time in February and March, that’s when we need to be our best. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that, keeping our kids together. We take pride in that."
As for another potential shutdown this winter due to the coronavirus pandemic, that’s not something Whitaker, his assistant coaches and players aren’t worrying about.
It’s beyond their control.
"The biggest thing I had to get over as a coach is the what ifs? You have to prepare like you’re going to have a full season," Whitaker said. "You have to make sure you’re ready for Game 1, keeping our kids focused and ready for when that time comes."
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DATE;OPPONENT;TIME
Nov. 28;Beech Grove;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4;Eastern Hancock;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5;at Rushville;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11;at Greenfield-Central ©;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12;Richmond;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18;New Castle ©;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19;Franklin Central;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29-30;(N) Lebanon Tournament;TBA
Jan. 8;at Delta ©;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9;Southport;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15;at Pendleton Heights ©;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16;at Mooresville;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22;at Indianapolis Roncalli;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23;at Franklin;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29;Yorktown ©;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4;at Perry Meridian;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12;at Shelbyville ©;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13;at Connersville;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19;Mt. Vernon ©;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20;at Whiteland;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26;Greenwood;7:30 p.m.
© HOOSIER HERITAGE CONFERENCE GAME
* Schedule subject to change
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