Dragons, Royals win GBB games

New Palestine and Eastern Hancock both won close girls basketball games against Shelby County foes tonight.

The Dragons had their first victory over a ranked team this season, beating 2A No. 4 Triton Central 61-55.

NP used a 26-point performance from senior Bethany Murrell -- the Dragons' season-best performance -- and a big first half from 3-point range, to build an early double-digit lead, one they'd never relinquish.

NP hit six first-half 3-pointers and tied its a season high with 42 points in the first half, building a lead that was as high as 13 points, and was 11 before the Tigers hit a disputed 3-pointer before the halftime buzzer.

Murrell scored 18 first-half points. Guard Tori Stephenson had eight points in the opening 16 minutes.

TC used its balance to cut the deficit as close as 2 in the second half, but the Dragons were able to use strong ballhandling -- they committed a season-low nine turnovers -- and free throw shooting to salt the game away.

Abby Seifert had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Dragons. Stephenson finished with eight points and guard Kyleigh Smock had seven.

Both teams shot well early -- both hit 50 percent in the first half. NP shot 43 percent for the game, TC 48 percent.

Heather Mink led TC with 16 points. Emily Alfrey had 13 points. Freshman Samantha Dewey scored 11.

NP is now 7-9 on the season against one of the state's toughest schedules. Knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten, TC is now 12-1. The Dragons' next game will be Wednesday against Beech Grove. It will be the Dragons' Senior Night.

A few miles down U.S. 52, Eastern Hancock beat Morristown 34-32. Lauren Harmon hit a late 3-pointer in the final minute to put the Royals ahead. She finished with seven points and eight rebounds. Kaytlin Eastes led EH with nine points and six boards. Hannah Best added eight points and four assists.

Kiersten Schrope had seven rebounds and eight steals for EH. 

The Royals jumped ahead 11-3 after a quarter, but saw the Yellow Jackets come back and cut EH's lead to 25-24 going into the fourth quarter. 

The Royals are now 10-4 on the season. Morristown is 3-11. EH's next game is Jan. 19 at home against Cowan. It's EH's first 10-win season since 2004.