Richmond plays at New Palestine Saturday. Here’s is a look at the Dragons. New Pal plays at Perry Meridan Thursday.
RICHMOND BOYS BASKETBALL
QUICK SCOUT: NEW PALESTINE
Coach: Trent Whitaker, 38-49 in 4th year at school
RESULTS:
At Greenfield-Central W 75 65
At Westfield L 63 73
New Castle W 84 59
Franklin Central W 67 63
Shenandoah W 70 67 2OT
N Beech Grove W 63 56
At Decatur Central L 53 62
At Delta L 48 64
Southport L 46 48
At Pendleton Heights W 71 65
At Mooresville W 61 54 OT
At Indianapolis Roncalli W 67 60
At Franklin L 57 62
Yorktown W 65 41
Rushville W 86 40
LAST SEASON: New Palestine 68 Richmond 50 (Sectional) and 49-42 Opening game.
RECENT SERIES: New Pal 2-0
TEAM STATS
Points Per Game 65.1
Def Rebounds Per Game 20.3
Off Rebounds Per Game 8.5
Rebounds Per Game 28.9
Assists Per Game 12.5
Steals Per Game 5.1
Blocks Per Game 1.1
Turnovers Per Game 11.6
Fouls Per Game 17.2
FG % 44
Points Per Shot 1.3
Adjusted FG Percentage 51
Points 976
3pt Made 104
3pt Attempts 263
3pt FG Percentage 40
FT Made 216
FT Attempts 309
FT Per Game 70
2pt Made 224
2pt Attempts 478
2pt FG Percentage 47
Points 976
Offensive Rebounds 127
Defensive Rebounds 304
Rebounds 433
Assists 188
Steals 76
Blocks 17
Turnovers 174
Fouls 258
Assists Per Turnover 1.08
Steals Per Turnover 0.44
Steals Per Foul 0.30
Blocks Per Foul 0.07
Charges Taken 7
Deflections 68
TOP PLAYERS
#11 Maximus Gizzi Junior PG
Points Per Game
17.4
Assists Per Game
4.7
Rebounds Per Game
4.0
Steals Per Game
1.2
#14 Matthew True Senior 6-1
Points Per Game
15.3
Assists Per Game
2.0
Rebounds Per Game
2.7
Steals Per Game
0.7
#41 Dawson Eastes Junior 6-4
Points Per Game
13.3
Assists Per Game
1.3
Rebounds Per Game
6.9
Steals Per Game
0.4
#40 Dylan Romine, Senior
Points Per Game
8.9
Assists Per Game
1.1
Rebounds Per Game
3.9
Steals Per Game
0.5
Newpalestineathletics.com
vs. RUSHVILLE
The New Palestine boys basketball team used a lights-out performance from beyond the 3-point line Saturday to pull away to an 86-40 victory over Rushville.
The Dragons jumped out to a 21-3 lead after a quarter and never looked back as they rolled to a 46-point victory. It was the Dragons’ biggest victory margin since a 70-24 victory over Greenfield-Central Dec. 27, 2011. The 86 points were the most scored by a Dragon team since a 96-81 victory over Shelbyville Feb. 6, 2015.
Maximus Gizzi hit a 3-pointer and scored nine of his game-high 16 points in the opening frame. Matthew True added seven of his 10 points, including a 3-pointer, in the first eight minutes. Dylan Romine also hit a triple early. He would hit three 3-pointers in the game en route to an 11-point night. The distance shooting barrage began in the third quarter. NP took a 39-13 lead into halftime, then scored 23 points in the period to extend the edge to 62-27. True, Romine, Eric Roudebush, Luke Ramsey and Eric Roudebush all hit triples in the frame. Austin Howell hit three 3-pointers and scored nine fourth-quarter points.
Twelve different Dragons scored. In addition to the three double-figure scorers , Howell and Dawson Eastes scored nine points each. Ramsey scored eight. Kyle King scored six points. Roudebush tallied five. Maxen Hook scored four. Jack Walker and Jacob Hockett scored three each. Justin Rightley tallied two.
The Dragons hit 35 field goals in the game to score 84 of their 86 points. NP was 2-4 from the line. Rushville was held to 14 field goals and 8-12 from the line.
The Dragons are now 10-5 on the season. They next play Thursday at Perry Meridian, then return home Saturday afternoon to meet Richmond.
The Dragon JV also won 63-32. Steele Brasfield scored 23 points and Matt Brown 15 to lead NP.
Vs. YORKTOWN
The New Palestine boys basketball team used a 29-point second quarter Friday to pull away to a dominant 65-41 victory over Yorktown.
The Dragons improved to 9-5 on the season and 4-1 in HHC play. NP has won four of its last five games.
Matthew True hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points in the second frame As a team, NP hit six triples in the period to take a 42-24 lead into halftime. NP then outscored the Tigers 19-1 in the third quarter to put the game away and go into the final period up 61-25.
True led three Dragons in double figures with 20 points. Maximus Gizzi scored 17 points in three quarters. , including three 3-pointers. He scored 11 in the opening half. Kyle King scored a career-high 11 points, all in the middle quarters. Dawson Eastes added eight first-half points, including two 3-pointers. Dylan Romine scored thre points. Jack Walker, Eric Roudebush and Justin Rightley scored two each.
MiLon McCowan led Yorktown with 10 points.
The Dragon JV won 51-50. NP’s freshmen also won 57-54 in overtime.
Dragon senior forward Jacob Hockett was named the homecoming king, with Olivia Lambdin the homecoming queen.
The Dragons also honored the 1989 team that went 21-3 and advanced to the regional final during Friday’s game.
The Dragons are back in action Saturday at home against Rushville. The JV game tips at 6 p.m., with the varsity at 7:30 p.m.
vs. FRANKLIN
The New Palestine boys basketball team built a nine-point lead in the first half Monday, but a big third-quarter rally by host Franklin propelled the Grizzly Cubs to a 62-57 victory over the Dragons.
NP fell to 8-5 on the season. Franklin improved to 10-6.
The Dragons built an early lead thanks to Matthew True’s hot shooting. He hit four first-quarter 3-pointers – three in a 13-1 run that gave NP an early six-point lead. True finished with a team-high 18 points. Maximus Gizzi and Dawson Eastes each scored five second-quarter points to help NP build a lead that grew as high as 26-17 and was 28-21 at the break.
Franklin opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run to take the lead. The teams traded the lead several times in the third quarter, but the Grizzly Cubs opened it to four points on a 3-pointer by Blaine Wenzell. That gave Franklin the lead for good – NP would cut it to two on a couple of occasions. Franklin opened the fourth quarter with a 38-36 lead and pushed it as high as eight. NP cut it to 52-50 after two free throws by Dylan Romine and a basket by Gizzi, but the Grizzly Cubs followed with back-to-back baskets and stops to extend the lead back to six.
True led three Dragons in double figures with 18, his fourth straight game leading the team in scoring. Gizzi added 15 points – including eight in the fourth quarter. He broke the 800-point mark for his career and now has 805. Romine scored six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. Eastes added eight, including two 3-pointers. Kyle King scored four points.
Cory Richards led four Grizzly Cubs in double figures with 18 points.
The Dragon JV also fell 58-56 in OT. Steele Brasfield led four Dragons in double figures with 14 points.
NEW PAL SPORTS INFORMATION
SETTING THE SCENE
- The Dragons and Red Devils meet for the fourth time in their histories. NP has won
all three previous ones, including two wins at the Tiernan Center last year. This is the
first-ever meeting at New Palestine.
- This game was originally scheduled to be the season opener, but was moved due to
the Dragons’ football state championship run.
SCOUTING THE RED DEVILS
- Richmond is in its first season under coach Shabaz Khaliq, who led Fort Wayne North
to the 2017 State Finals – where his team faced Thursday’s opposing coach, Mark
James. The Red Devils are seeking their first winning season since 2014 and have
equaled the win total of the last two seasons. Richmond plays Thursday at Anderson
before facing the Dragons.
- Senior Lucas Kroft (21.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg) leads the Red Devils in scoring and rebounding.
Sophomore Andrew Kroft (14.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) is Richmond’s other double-figure scorer.
SERIES HISTORY
The Dragons meet two relatively recent additions to the schedule this weekend. This is the
seventh meeting against Perry Meridian and the
fourth against Richmond.
VS. PERRY MERIDIAN
All-time: Perry Meridian leads 4-2
At Perry Meridian: Perry Meridian leads 2-1
SERIES MEETINGS
1/27/18: NP 68-50 (at NP) 1/31/15: PM 73-65 (at PM)
1/28/17: PM 72-66 (at PM) 2/1/14: PM 49-42 (at NP)
1/30/16: PM 67-62 (at NP) 11/25/95: NP 75-52 (at PM)
VS. RICHMOND
All-time: New Palestine leads 3-0
At New Palestine: First meeting
Regular season: New Palestine leads 2-0
SERIES MEETINGS
3/2/18: NP 68-50 (sect at R) 2/4/00: NP 74-67 (at R)
11/22/17: NP 49-42 (at R)
CONNECTIONS
New Palestine principal Keith Fessler is
a 1987 Richmond graduate. He was named
Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association
of School Principals in 2017. He has been an administrator at NPHS since 2006 and the principal
since 2011.
CHASING MILESTONES
MAXIMUS GIZZI
Points: 838 (broke 600 vs. Greenfield-Central;
700 vs. Decatur Central, 800 vs. Franklin).
Rebounds: 224 (broke 200 vs. Delta)
Assists: 240 (broke 200 vs. Delta)
Field goals: 262 (broke 250 vs. Yorktown)
Free throws: 269 (broke 200 vs. Greenfield-Central)
MATTHEW TRUE
Points: 805 (broke 600 vs. Westfield, 700 vs.
Pendleton Hts., 800 vs. Rushville)
Rebounds: 184 (broke 150 vs. New Castle)
Assists: 106 (broke 100 vs. Mooresville)
Field goals: 249
3-pointers: 157 (broke 150 vs. Franklin)
MAXEN HOOK
Rebounds: 140 (broke 100 vs. Westfield)
Assists: 83
DYLAN ROMINE
Points: 568 (broke 500 vs. Delta)
Rebounds: 245
Field goals: 187
DAWSON EASTES
Points: 398 (broke 200 vs. Greenfield-Central,
300 vs. Beech Grove)
Rebounds: 229 (broke 150 vs. New Castle,
200 vs. Mooresville)
DOUBLING YOUR FUN
Double-figure scoring games for the Dragons.
Maximus Gizzi (14 this season, 48 career):
27-Greenfield-Central; 16-Westfield, 21-New Castle,
26-Franklin Central, 14-Shenandoah, 13-Beech Grove,
31-Decatur Central, 14-Delta, 20-Pendleton Hts.,
14-Mooresville, 13-Roncalli, 15-Franklin, 17-Yorktown,
16-Rushville. 2017-18: 16; 2016-17: 18
Matthew True (13 this season, 42 career):
19-Greenfield-Central; 10-Westfield, 17-New Castle, 20-Franklin Central, 16-Beech Grove, 14-Delta,
10-Southport, 22-Pendleton Hts., 23-Mooresville,
18-Roncalli, 18-Franklin, 20-Yorktown, 10-Rushville.
2017-18: 16; 2016-17: 13
Dylan Romine (7 this season, 22 career):
13-Greenfield-Central, 14-New Castle, 18-Shenandoah, 12-Southport, 12-Roncalli, 12-Franklin, 11-Rushville. 2017-18: 9; 2016-17: 4; 2015-16: 2
Dawson Eastes (9 this season, 13 career):
29-Westfield, 25-New Castle, 21-Shenandoah,
19-Beech Grove, 13-Delta, 13-Southport, 10-Pendleton
Hts., 10-Mooresville, 11-Franklin. 2017-18: 5
Kyle King (1 this season/career): 11-Yorktown
Jack Walker (1): 2017-18: 1
Maxen Hook (1): 2017-18: 1
SEASON HIGHS (2018-19)
TEAM
Points in a game: 86, 1/26 vs. Rushville
Points in a quarter: 31, 12/14 vs. New Castle (3rd
quarter)
Points in a half: 57, 12/14 vs. New Castle (2nd half)
Fewest points allowed: 40, 1/26 vs. Rushville
Fewest points allowed in a quarter: 1, 1/25 vs. Yorktown (3rd quarter)
Fewest points allowed in a half: 13, 1/26 vs. Rushville (1st half)
Biggest win margin: 46, 1/26 vs. Rushville (86-40)
Most rebounds: 41, 12/7 at Greenfield-C.
Most assists: 23, 1/26 vs. Rushville
Most steals: 13, 1/25 vs. Yorktown
Fewest turnovers: 3, 1/26 vs. Rushville
Most FG: 35, 1/26 vs. Rushville
Most FT: 23, 12/15 vs. Franklin Central; 12/28 vs.
Beech Grove
Most 3-pointers: 14, 1/26 vs. Rushville
Best FG %: .652 (30-46) 12/14 vs. New Castle
Best FT %: 1.000 (17-17) 12/22 vs. Shenandoah
Best 3-point %: .636 (14-22) 1/26 vs. Rushville
INDIVIDUAL
Points in a game: 31, Maximus Gizzi 12/28 at
Decatur Central
Rebounds in a game: 14, Dawson Eastes 12/8 at
Westfield
Assists in a game: 8, Maximus Gizzi 12/14 vs. New
Castle; 1/11 at Pendleton Hts.
Steals in a game: 4, Maximus Gizzi 12/15 vs. Franklin Central
Blocks in a game: 1, several players
Most 3-pointers: 5, Maximus Gizzi 12/28 at Decatur
C.; Matthew True 1/11 at Pendleton Hts.
Most FG: 12, Maximus Gizzi 12/28 at Decatur C. .
Most FT: 15, Maximus Gizzi 12/15 vs. Franklin C.
Best 3-point %: 1.000 (5-5) Maximus Gizzi 12/28 at
Decatur Central
Best FG%: 1.000 (8-8) Dawson Eastes 12/14 vs.
New Castle; .875 (7-8) Matthew True 1/11 at Pend. Hts.
Best FT: 1.000 (9-9) Matthew True 12/28 vs. Beech
Grove; (8-8) Dawson Eastes 12/22 vs. Shenandoah;
(6-6) Maximus Gizzi 1/18 at Roncalli; (6-6) Matthew
True 1/21 at Franklin; (5-5) Dylan Romine 12/22 vs.
Shenandoah
BARRAGE FROM DEEP After spending much of January on the road, the home court was sweet for the Dragons the final week of January. NP hit 10-25 from 3-point range in a 65-41 victory over Yorktown, including 4-7 from Matthew True and 3-4 from Maximus Gizzi. The Dragons followed by hitting 14-22 – a season-high in 3-pointers and percentage (.636) against Rushville. Dylan Romine was 3-5, Austin Howell 3-4, True 2-4, Gizzi 2-3, Luke Ramsey 2-2 and both Eric Roudebush and Jacob Hockett 1-1. NP shot 60.3 percent from the floor against Rushville (35-58). That led to the most points since scoring 96 against Shelbyville on Feb. 7, 2015. The 46-point victory margin was the Dragons’ biggest since a 70-24 win over Greenfield-Central Dec. 27, 2011. GIZZI HITS 30 Guard Maximus Gizzi provided the Dragons’ first 30-point game since February 2015 when he scored 31 points Dec. 28 against Decatur Central. He hit 12-23 from the floor and 5-5 from 3-point range in the victory. It broke his previous career high of 27, set in last year’s sectional against Pendleton Heights and in the Dec. 7 opener at Greenfield-Central. DOUBLE-DAWSON Dawson Eastes had a big game against Westfield. He tallied 29 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, to reach his career high. Eastes also had 14 rebounds. It was NP’s first double-double since Jalen Qualkinbush on Dec. 16, 2016. He followed that up with 25 points against New Castle Dec. 14 and 10 boards the next night against Franklin Central. He had his second double-double of the year Dec. 28 against Beech Grove, when he had 19 points and 11 rebounds. He had his fourth double-digit rebound game Jan. 21 at Franklin with 10 boards.