Staff report
New Palestine’s boys basketball team extended its program-best start to 14-0.
On Saturday at Franklin (7-8), the Dragons defeated the Grizzly Cubs 64-53.
Seniors Blaine Nunnally and Ian Stephens combined for 49 points.
Nunnally had a season-high 27 points and hit 10 of 11 free-throw attempts. As a team, the Dragons were 20 of 23 (87 percent) at the stripe. They were 7 of 7 at the line in the fourth quarter.
Stephens finished with 22 points, two shy of equaling his season-best total. He had 11 points in the final period.
The Dragons got off to a good start, leading 16-9 at the first break. They kept the lead at seven (29-22) at the half and increased it to eight (43-35) heading into the final quarter.
Sophomore Ben Slagley added eight points. Micah Davis led Franklin with 18 points.
New Palestine moved up to No. 9 in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association poll, released Sunday evening. The Dragons and No. 1 Ben Davis (20-0) are the only two unbeaten teams in the poll.
The Dragons are scheduled to get one of their toughest challenges of the year Wednesday. They play host to No. 16 Lawrence North (12-3).
Cougars win ninth straight
Greenfield-Central’s boys basketball team won its ninth straight game and improved to 12-1 with a 65-39 Hoosier Heritage Conference victory at home over Shelbyville Saturday.
The Cougars were led by sophomore Braylon Mullins and senior Dylan Moles.
Mullins had a game-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers. Moles finished with 22.
The Cougars extended their lead each quarter. Jumping out to a 19-11 lead after one, they led by double figures, 31-19, at halftime.
G-C had 17 points in each of the last two quarters. Mullins had 10 in the third to help the Cougars bump the lead up to 48-31.
Mullins was 10 of 15 from the field and added four boards and four steals. Moles shot 57 percent on fielders and distributed four assists to go with three rebounds and two steals.
The nine-game winning streak is the most since the Cougars won their final nine regular-season games last season. They’ve won 21 of their last 23 and moved up in the IBCA rankings to No. 17 in the state.
G-C is 12-1 overall and 4-1 in the HHC. Shelbyville dropped to 7-9 overall and 1-4 in the conference. The Golden Bears were led by Ollie Sandman with 14 points.
The Cougars continue conference play Friday with a home game against Pendleton Heights (4-11, 0-4).
A win Friday would give G-C a 10-game winning streak, the longest since winning 11 straight during the 2015-16 season.
Royals win another MEC game
Eastern Hancock’s boys basketball team added a second Mid-Eastern Conference victory over the weekend.
After defeating Monroe Central 59-31 at home on Friday, the Royals traveled to Shenandoah High School to beat the Raiders 68-38 on Saturday.
Eastern Hancock is 11-5 on the season and 5-1, tied for second, in the MEC. Shenandoah dropped to 5-9 and 2-4.
Led by Jacob Spaulding with 19 points, all five Royals starters scored in double figures. Silas Spaulding had 13 points. Kayden Ruble scored 11. Grant Gray and Edric Miller each had 10 points.
The Royals hit nine 3-pointers. Silas Spaulding hit three. Gray and Miller each had two.
Gray led Eastern Hancock rebounders with eight. Silas Spaulding had four steals. Jacob Spaulding led with five assists. Miller had four.
The Royals shot 67 percent (14 of 21) from 2-point range, 30 percent (9 of 30) from 3-point range and 81 percent (13 of 16) from the free-throw line.
Eastern Hancock welcomes Lapel (7-8) Friday.
Mt. Vernon picks up third straight win
With a 67-55 victory at Hamilton Southeastern Saturday, Mt. Vernon’s boys basketball team collected a third straight victory.
The Marauders are 10-5 on the season. The Royals dropped to 4-12.
Mt. Vernon had a balanced scoring attack. Frosh Julien Smith and senior Eli Bridenthal had 13 points apiece. Senior Adam Hackett and sophomore Tanner Teschendorf each scored 12.
Frosh R’mani Wells added nine points.
After leading by nine, 17-8, at the end of the first quarter, and by 11, 27-16, at halftime, Mt. Vernon had its lead cut to three, 38-35, heading into the final period.
Mt. Vernon scored 29 fourth-quarter points, including 13 of 15 (86.7 percent) free-throw tries.
Hackett hit a pair of fourth-quarter treys and Teschendorf connected on all six of his free-throw attempts. Smith had seven points in the final quarter.
The Marauders return to action Friday with a home game against Connersville (11-3).
IBCA boys’ basketball poll — (Jan. 22)
Rk;School;Points;Rec.; FPV
1.;Ben Davis;400;20-0;20
2.;Indianapolis Cathedral;372;12-2
3.;Penn;363;13-1
4.;Center Grove;328;15-1
5.;Brownsburg;320;15-2
6.;Kokomo;267;12-4
7.;Hammond Central;248;16-1
8.;Carmel;240;11-5
9.;New Palestine;237;14-0
10.;NorthWood;220;13-2
11.;Mishawaka Marian;216;14-2
12.;Blackhawk Christian;179;15-1
13.;Linton-Stockton;144;15-1
14.;Westfield;118;10-3
15.;Jennings County;116;14-1
16.;Lawrence North;103;12-3
17.;Greenfield-Central;80;12-1
18.;Noblesville;77;11-4
19.;Homestead;34;14-4
20.;Zionsville;24;9-5
Other Schools Receiving Votes (Listed Alphabetically): Anderson (11-3), Bloomington North (10-3), Brownstown Central (9-4), Chesterton (10-4), Harrison (W Lafayette) (13-2), Indianapolis Attucks (9-5), Lake Station Edison (13-1), Lawrence Central (11-5), Munster (13-2), North Daviess (14-3), Norwell (13-2), Scottsburg (14-2), Southport (11-5), Tippecanoe Valley (11-3), University (11-1), Wapahani (14-1)
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IBCA girls’ basketball poll — Week 12 (Jan. 22)
Rk;School;Points;Rec.; FPV
1.;South Bend Washington;400;21-0;20
2.;Noblesville;376;20-3
3.;Fishers;339;18-2
4.;Hamilton Southeastern;333;19-2
5.;Fort Wayne Northrop;306;18-2
6.;Bedford North Lawrence;304;19-3
7.;Zionsville;274;18-2
8.;Twin Lakes;241;21-0
9.;Columbia City;240;18-2
10.;Homestead;193;16-4
11.; Indian Creek;166;21-1
12.;Center Grove;138;17-4
13.;Evansville Memorial;137;21-1
14.;Lake Central; 129;17-5
15.;Warren Central;113;14-5
16.;Fort Wayne Snider;102;16-4
17.;Valparaiso;77;19-2
18.;Warsaw;71; 16-5
19.;Northridge;52;18-5
20.;Norwell;44;17-3
Other schools receiving votes: Andrean (19-3), Brownsburg (14-8), Carroll-Fort Wayne (13-6), Cascade (18-2), Central Noble (20-2), Corydon Central (20-2), East Central (14-10), Fairfield (20-2), Forest Park (18-3), Franklin Community (14-5), Huntington North (15-4), Jay County (20-1), Jennings County (15-5), Lanesville (21-2), Lawrence Central (16-6), Mishawaka Marian (18-5), Mooresville (15-6), North Knox (21-1), Tri (21-0).
