Six Standouts From New Palestine vs. Lawrence North

Prep Hoops Indiana had boots on the ground coverage from the biggest game in the state on Wednesday night as Class 3A #5 New Palestine played host to Class 4A #4 Lawrence North. I was in attendance for this same game two seasons ago when the Wildcats escaped New Palestine with a one point win. However, this time, the home team was able to prevail. The Dragons packed their defense into a 2-3 Zone, forced Lawrence North to shoot jump shots, and then came up with some big plays down the stretch to hold on to the victory. New Palestine came away with a 63-56 win to move to 14-2 on the season while the loss dropped Lawrence North to 12-4. Here are six of the individual standouts from the game.    Any conversation about New Palestine has to begin with Gizzi. The 6'3"-6'4" guard is so consistently productive against any and all competition. He proved that again on Wednesday night as he scored a game-high 27 points and pulled down 7 rebounds to lead the Dragons over Lawrence North. Gizzi, an Indiana Wesleyan signee, is averaging 25.7 points per game.     One of the better pure point guards left on the board in Indiana's senior class, Haynes controlled the game in the backcourt. He finished with 10 points and 7 assists but had an even bigger impact than that with the way he broke Lawrence North's pressure and always made the right play. Haynes is an excellent three-point shooter and a high-level passer.     It all came in a flurry in the third quarter, but Karnes was the catalyst for what was a brief comeback and lead for Lawrence North. He nailed a three-point shot, an Achille's heel for this Wildcats team, to tie the game and then put LN on top 40-38 with a tough And-1 on a drive. Obviously the lead did not hold, but Karnes showed off his shot-making ability in that important stretch.     McGrew's athleticism and activity level on the boards was on full display on Wednesday night. Lawrence North came up short at New Palestine, but the 6'8"-6'9" big man finished with an impressive double-double of 14 points and 18 rebounds. There is simply no keeping him off of the offensive glass. It continues to surprise me that there aren't more offers flowing in for this talented front court prospect.     New Palestine's zone defense really thwarted some of Miller's interior game, but he still found ways to be productive by stretching the floor a bit and crashing the offensive glass. A fourth quarter three-point shot helped keep LN within striking distance, but it wasn't enough. The 6'7" forward who continues to rack up mid-major offers finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds.     When it comes to ball skill at the forward position there are few that have what Slagley has. He is a bit positionally undersized at 6'3"-6'4" but makes up for it in physicality and mobility. Slagley finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the big win over Lawrence North. His ability to rebound and go coast-to-coast as an open floor playmaker is impressive.

Prep Hoops Indiana had boots on the ground coverage from the biggest game in the state on Wednesday night as Class 3A #5 New Palestine played host to Class 4A #4 Lawrence North. I was in attendance for this same game two seasons ago when the Wildcats escaped New Palestine with a one point win. However, this time, the home team was able to prevail. The Dragons packed their defense into a 2-3 Zone, forced Lawrence North to shoot jump shots, and then came up with some big plays down the stretch to hold on to the victory. New Palestine came away with a 63-56 win to move to 14-2 on the season while the loss dropped Lawrence North to 12-4. Here are six of the individual standouts from the game.