Staff report
On the road, the Greenfield-Central girls basketball team got more of a fight than expected against Hoosier Heritage Conference foe New Castle Friday.
Against the 0-17 Trojans, it took nearly all 32 minutes to secure the 59-48 win.
Up 24-11 midway through the second quarter, it looked like the Cougars were well on the way to an easy road victory, but the Trojans stormed back.
The Cougars led by six after the first quarter, and by 10 at halftime, but were outscored 20-10 in the third to enter the fourth quarter tied at 44.
But while the first three quarters didn’t look as expected, the Cougars showed their dominance in the closing period.
They outscored the Trojans 15-4, sparked by four quick layups, two by Katie Holmes and two by Brooklyn McConnell.
Kammi Anderson knocked down a 3-pointer in the closing minutes, and Aryana Hibbard added two free throws to seal the win.
Hibbard led all scorers with 17 points, and Chaney Brown added 10.
With the win, G-C improved to 11-7 on the season and 4-1 in the HHC.
The Cougars return to action Tuesday at home against Muncie Central.
Dragons fall to Arabians
New Palestine’s girls basketball team lost 57-35 to Pendleton Heights at Pendleton Heights Middle School Friday.
The game was moved to the middle school due to flood damage on the high school gym floor.
The Dragons dropped to 8-10 overall and 3-3 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference. The Arabians are 10-8 and finish league play 6-1.
New Palestine travels to Waldron for a game on Jan. 19.
Boys basketball
Eastern wins big over Union County
Eastern Hancock improved to 9-4 on the season with a convincing 72-29 victory over visiting Union County Friday.
The Royals had three double-figure scorers and hit 12 3-pointers.
Silas Spaulding hit three treys and led Eastern Hancock with 16 points. Jacob Spaulding hit two 3s and had 14 points. Kayden Ruble had a couple of triples and 13 total points.
Caiden Willis, Luke Schilling and Grant Gray all had at least one 3-pointer.
Eastern Hancock led 11-4 after the first quarter. It put the game away in the second, outscoring Union County 23-10.
The Royals had just four turnovers and hit 14 of 18 free throws (77.8 percent).
The Royals host Greenfield-Central tonight.
Marauders handle Orioles
Mt. Vernon had four players score in double figures to help defeat Avon, 59-47, at Mt. Vernon High School Friday.
Freshman Julien Smith and senior Adam Hackett each scored 13 points. Frosh Luke Ertel and senior Eli Bridenthal both scored 11 points.
The Marauders hit 10 3-pointers. Smith and Hackett each had three. Bridenthal and Brady Fitzgerald both made two.
The Marauders improved to 9-5 on the season and play next at Hamilton Southeastern on Saturday, Jan. 21.
Gymnastics
Dragons win again
For the second time in as many competitions, New Palestine’s gymnastics team was victorious.
On Thursday at the Gymnastics Company, New Palestine defeated Shelbyville and Lutheran.
The Dragons scored 100.075 points. Shelbyville had 66.200 and Lutheran scored 15.850.
New Palestine sophomore JJ Fee won the all-around competition with 35.075 points. New Pal freshmen Lynzie Stiller (32.550) and Olivia Frank (31.700) placed second and third, respectively.
Fee won the floor exercise (9.375), beam (9.275) and bars (8.425). New Palestine’s Rebecca Johnson won the vault (8.400).
The Dragons are scheduled to compete today at the Valparaiso Viking Invitational.
