Thursday wrap: MV boys, EH girls win again

Mt. Vernon's boys basketball team emphatically extended its winning streak to three with a 67-21 victory over Knightstown on Thursday night.

MV set the tone early with defense, using four steals-turned-layups in the opening minutes to build an 11-2 lead and not looking back. MV also controlled the offensive glass in the victory. MV led 19-4 after a quarter and 37-11 at halftime. Sophomore guard C.J. Coleman had several of the early deflections and finished the game with 19 points. Junior guard Anthony Burnett added 13 points.

All five MV starters scored at least eight points, with Stephen Turner scoring 10 and Alex Payne and Dan Werner eight each. Freshman Zach Spears came off the bench to score seven points. Werner also played strong defense on Knightstown's Clay Ratliff, the Panthers' leading scorer coming into the night. Turner did the same against Knightstown's post players, denying the Panthers the opportunity to get the ball to their big men.

Dakota Smucker led Knightstown with six points. Ratliff scored five.

MV (9-4) is next in action Friday 1/27 at Connersville. Knightstown (1-10) will visit Shenandoah Friday.

Girls basketball
Eastern Hancock 52, Cowan 28: The Royals outscored Cowan 23-1 in the third quarter to pull away to the victory.

Hannah Best and Kristen Eischen each had 11 points to lead EH. Eischen also had seven boards. Alora Marshall had seven points and nine rebounds. Guard Kiersten Schrope also added seven points for EH.

The Royals are now 11-4, and host Waldron at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be a varsity-only contest.

New Palestine 57, Beech Grove 22: The Dragons used a strong defensive effort, holding BG to 21 percent shooting and 25 turnovers in the contest and winning on Senior Night.

NP also had a big night from all six seniors. Senior guard Kyleigh Smock scored a career-high 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers. She added five rebounds. Lauren Tieman added 15 points and eight rebounds, as well as four steals. Tori Stephenson added 12 points. Bethany Murrell had seven points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Abby Seifert had a game-high 10 boards. Emily Curry had two points.

The Dragons scored a season-high 24 points in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 24-5 in the penultimate eight minutes to take a 53-18 lead going into the final quarter.

Swimming
Greenfield-Central's boys and girls swim teams both posted victories over Shelbyville on Thursday evening.