Friday hoops: PH takes HHC lead

Pendleton Heights used a blistering second half shooting the ball -- hitting 12 of its 14 shots after the break -- to pull away from New Palestine 77-53 Friday night.

The game was close throughout much of the opening three quarters, but PH scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter and outscored NP 24-6 in the final eight minutes to pull away.

Butler signee Kellen Dunham led the Arabians with 31 points, including 10 in the third quarter and the first seven points of the fourth quarter. Brogan Gary had 17 and Matt Wehner 14 for PH. NP was led by Michael Morris and Reid Clark, who had 11 points each. Six different Dragons scored at least six points -- with Solomon Haynes scoring nine, Josh Penley and Brandon Collins eight each and Justin Ikerd hitting two 3-pointers for six points.

Six straight points by Josh Penley helped NP lead 16-15 after a quarter, and tied the game at 34-34 on the opening possession of the second half on Haynes' 3-pointer. The teams traded runs in the third, but Dunham began to take more and more control of the game.

Both teams shot 50 percent (12-of-24) from the floor in the opening half, but PH hit all but two of its second-half shots -- the Arabians were a perfect 9-for-9 on two-point shots -- while the Dragons hit just nine of 23 shots after the break.

NP is now 9-2 on the year and 3-1 in HHC play, moving the Dragons into a third-place tie with Mt. Vernon. PH is 12-2 and 4-0 in league play, a half-game ahead of Yorktown.

You can listen to the archive here.

Mt. Vernon 64, Rushville 44: The Marauders got back on the winning track with a big start and a strong defensive effort against the Lions. MV improved to 7-4 on the year and 3-1 in HHC play.

MV visits Howe Saturday, then will host Knightstown next Thursday. You can listen to a live broadcast at HancockCountySports.com!

Eastern Hancock 73, Shenandoah 61: The Royals had a strong start to improve to 7-5 on the year. Led by Jared Pyle's 25 points, EH had a big home victory in its annual EH vs. Cancer game as the school raised money for the American Cancer Society.

The Royals are back in action Saturday against potential sectional rival Union County at home.

Greenfield-Central was idle.