Limo Service in New Palestine, IN

New Palestine is 9-1 against Yorktown since January of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Dragons will square off against the Tigers at 7:30 p.m. New Palestine is coming into the game on a three-game losing streak.

New Palestine had taken Roncalli down for two straight games at home, but that winning streak came to an end on Friday. The Dragons fell just short of the Royals by a score of 43-40. While the Dragons didn't get the win, they did start the game off strong, beating the Royals 12-8 in the first quarter.

The loss doesn't tell the whole story though, as several players had good games. One of the most active was Will Davison, who posted seven points and three steals. Layton Pardue also deserves some recognition as he pulled down his first rebound of the season.

Yorktown hadn't beaten New Castle on the road since January 24, 2020 but that history sure didn't bother them on Friday. The Tigers strolled past the Trojans with points to spare, taking the game 45-31.

Yorktown's win came from a few key players that New Palestine will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Zahden Zowd, who went 6-for-9 en route to 18 points. He continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Sam Tokar, who earned six points and nine boards.

The win got Yorktown back to even at 6-6. As for New Palestine, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-8.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: New Palestine has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 21.7 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Yorktown struggles in that department as they've been averaging 22.6 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

Everything came up roses for New Palestine against Yorktown in their previous meeting back in January of 2025, as the squad secured a 90-61 victory. In that matchup, the Dragons amassed a halftime lead of 48-27, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.

The New Palestine boys wrestling team not only won its first sectional championship in 18 years Saturday. The Dragons did it in dominant fashion, advancing the entire 14-wrestler team to next Saturday's regional, placing 10 in the finals and winning six individual championships. The Dragons tallied 288 points to win the title, beating Lawrence North (239.5), Lawrence Central (171) and the rest of the eight-team field, which was comprised of North Central (153.5), Greenfield-Central (145.5), Mt. Vernon (135.5), Scecina (21) and Purdue Poly-Broad Ripple (20). Six Dragons won titles - Blake Doss (113), Gunner Butt (150), Carson Clements (165), Gabe Flick (175), Colin Whetsel (215) and William Glesing (285). Doss won a forfeit, a 79-second fall over LC's Fort Zaiere and a 16-3 major decision over G-C's Andrew Heacox to win the title. He is now 19-7 on the season. At 150, Butt pinned MV's Bryson Terry in 1:40 and G-C's Aidyn Farnell in 3:34 to get to the final, where he won by a 16-1 tech fall over North Central's Jordin Franklin. Butt is now 26-1 on the season. At 165, Clements (16-9) pinned G-C's Stephen Drake in 3:26 and MV's Ryan Rodgers in 4:30. In the final, he won a 14-5 major decision over LC's Casey Beeler. Flick had two wins by fall at 175 to improve to 20-6. After receiving a forfeit, he pinned G-C's Jackson Burgin in 3:05 and LN's Turmaini Olivier in 1:41 to win the title. Whetsel drew a bye, then had a 1:44 fall over LC's Lamont Henson and a 9-4 win over G-C's Tristen Lanum to claim the 215-pound title and improve to 20-1 on the year. At 285, Glesing needed less than two minutes to get to the final, pinning MV's Corbin Wilson in 57 seconds and LN's Carlos Posadas in 54 seconds. In the final, he needed 3:59 to pin LC's Jaxson Owens to earn the title and head to the regional with a 25-0 record. The top four in each weight class advance to the regional, but every Dragon did one better - they all finished in the top three. Four other Dragons finished second - Wes Harbert at 120, Braeden Lintner at 138, Zion Tavorn at 157 and Isaiah Jones at 190. Finishing third were Sebastian Stilts at 106, Kaeden Nelson at 126, King Tavorn at 132 and Emmit Abernathy at 144. The Dragons won the 15th sectional championship in school history. They will next compete Feb. 7 in the Perry Meridian regional.

The New Palestine girls basketball team took an early lead, and then held off multiple Eastern Hancock charges to win 62-59 on Senior Night. The Dragons had four players in double figures, led by Brooklyn Crim's 17 points. Kendra Moore added 14, while Sadey Hughbanks tallied 12 and Gabbie Brown 10. A big start carried the Dragons early, as Hughbanks and Brown hit back-to-back baskets early to put NP on top. Crim hit a late-quarter triple and Moore a three-point play to put NP up 18-7. EH scored the last basket of the quarter to cut the lead to nine. The Royals began to cut into the lead in the second. Crim tallied five points in the quarter and Moore drilled a 3-pointer, as NP had solid balance - six different players scored - and led 34-29 at the break. The Dragons broke things open in the third. A mid-quarter triple by Moore gave NP a 41-35 lead. Crim followed with a three-point play to extend the lead to nine. After two Hughbanks free throws, Brown and Moore finished the quarter with back-to-back triples, putting NP up 52-39. EH had a late charge. Crim hit two early shots in the fourth quarter, but the Royals hit an early 3-pointer to cut the lead to 10, and then Kenzie Koch led a comeback attempt. Crim hit two early baskets, and then NP was unable to score from the field after. Koch scored 12 points in the quarter to draw the Royals close, but four straight free throws by Hughbanks and Flagle made it a 61-56 game. Koch's last 3-pointer cut the Dragons' lead to three, but Murdick iced the game at the line with a late free throw. In addition to the four double-figure scorers, Flgale tallied four points, Murdick three and Kenna Tweedy two. Koch led EH with 29 points. The Dragons' JV also won 48-17 to finish the season 19-1. The Dragons open sectional play Wednesday at Rushville against Greenwood. The 14 wins are the most in a regular season since the Dragons went 15-7 in 2019-20.

PALESTINE — Christus Health celebrated the opening of its new hospital and emergency department in Palestine with a ribbon cutting and blessing Thursday.

City, county and state dignitaries along with staff and community members celebrated the more than 30,000-square-foot facility that will officially open to patients on Monday, expanding access to essential health care services across the region.

“This facility is more than just new technology or fancy imaging, it is about establishing a ministry of healing,” said Barry Lofquist, administrator for Christus Health Palestine.

The facility, a part of Christus’s international faith-based nonprofit health system, includes a 15 bed emergency department and 10 bed inpatient hospital, designed to provide high-quality care in a welcoming, community focused environment. The event marked a significant milestone for Palestine, highlighting Christus Health’s continued investment in local health care, Lofquist said.

“This is a milestone for Christus Health, for Palestine and a milestone that has been in the making for years,” Lofquist said. “We are excited to be here, ready to serve.”

Directly connected to the long established Christus Magnolia clinic, the new facility supports a seamless patient experience and allows for smooth transitions between outpatient visit, emergency care and inpatient services, all within one coordinated system, said Jason Proctor, president of Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System.

“The Magnolia clinic has served this area for decades and done an amazing job for patients in and around Palestine,” said Jason Proctor, president of Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “Today, we expand upon that care, making sure all of your health care needs are met in one location.”

A key feature of the facility is the Swoop portable MRI, an innovative imaging system that enables bedside MRI scans, first used by Christus Mother Frances Hospital on Jan. 16. The technology enhances patient safety and comfort while allowing caregivers to make timely and informed decisions.

Andrew Smith, clinical director for both Christus emergency department and hospital, said the emergency department is staffed by experienced caregivers focused on prompt, compassionate treatment. For patients requiring admission, the 10 inpatient beds provide a calm, supportive environment designed to promote healing close to home, he said.

As part of the Christus Health System, the Palestine facility is fully integrated with a larger network of hospitals and specialists, ensuring continuity of care and access to advanced services, while preserving the personal approach to patients and value.

“This whole facility just blows my mind with what we are able to offer,” Smith said. “We have built a lot of great facilities, and this one is as good as any you will find.”

For more information on the Christus Hospital and emergency room at Palestine visit, https://www.christushealth.org/locations/emergency-center-palestine.

The Dragons boys basketball team has a pair of games this weekend. FRIDAY: DRAGONS (6-8, 3-1 HHC) at YORKTOWN (6-6, 2-2 HHC) Time: 6 p.m. JV/7:45 p.m. V (JV in auxiliary gym) Site: Yorktown HS Tickets: $6, https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=168927 Audio: NewPalRadio.com SATURDAY: INDIAN CREEK (3-9) at DRAGONS (6-8) Time: 2 p.m. JV/F, 3:30 p.m. V Site: New Palestine HS Tickets: $7, at gate or https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=170704 Audio: NewPalRadio.com Video: IHSAAtv.org/newpalestine ($) SETTING THE SCENE Friday night, the Dragons return to conference play with a trip to Hoosier Heritage Conference foe Yorktown. The Dragons are looking to snap a three-game skid against a Tigers team that won its last outing. NP has won nine of the last 10 meetings against Yorktown but trails the all-time series 14-13. The teams began playing in 1999 when Yorktown joined the HHC. The Dragons are trying to snap their first three-game losing streak since the 2019-20 season, when they dropped four straight on two occasions. That team started 2-8 and then won 12 of its last 16 games to claim a sectional championship. The Dragons and Saturday's opponent, Indian Creek, were frequent foes from Indian Creek’s consolidation in 1967 through 1980, but had not played since until a 97-49 victory by the Dragons last season. This will be IC’s first visit to the Dragons’ Den since Jan. 21, 1979 - a 62-51 Dragons win. IC leads the all-time series 9-5. The two schools are potential foes in this year’s Greenwood sectional. DRAGONS NOTES The Dragons played a strong game against then No. 7 Roncalli last week. NP built a 17-10 first-half lead, and then rallied from a 13-point third-quarter deficit to tie the game in the closing minutes before falling on a late 3-pointer by the Royals. Evan Darrah led the Dragons against Roncalli with 13 points, playing all 32 minutes. He has tallied double figures in four straight games, leading the Dragons in scoring in the last two. Eli Parrett had nine points and three assists against Roncalli, while Will Davison had seven points and three assists. Sam Hirschy is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game over his last four games. Eighteen of his 29 rebounds have been on the offensive glass in that stretch. At 19.3 ppg, Davison is third in the HHC in scoring. He is ninth in the state among sophomores. Darrah is seventh in the HHC at 14.3 ppg. Davison has hit double-figures in 11 of the Dragons’ 14 games this season and has tallied 20-plus points eight times. Darrah has hit double-figures 12 times and the 20-point mark in seven games. Davison also ranks third in the HHC with 1.8 steals per game. Parrett ranks second in the HHC in assists at 5.2 per game. He is 11th in the state among juniors. Hirschy is tied for sixth in the conference at 5.7 rebounds per contest. SCOUTING THE TIGERS Yorktown is 6-6 this season under the direction of first-year coach Justin Ullom, who came to the Tigers after stints at Monroe Central and Muncie Central. Yorktown is led by junior Mason Trammell, who tallies 17.3 ppg and 2.7 assists per game. Senior Jabin Barnes adds 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest. Sophomore Zahden Zowd tallied 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting last Friday in a 45-31 victory over New Castle. Barnes added seven points. Sam Tokar had nine boards. SCOUTING THE BRAVES Indian Creek enters the week with a 3-9 record after three straight seasons of .500 or better. IC has dropped three consecutive games coming into the week to Park Tudor, Whiteland and Greenwood. Senior Carter Cooley leads the Braves with a 17.5 ppg average. Junior Jaxon Green adds 10.5 ppg. FOLLOW THE GAMES All games, home and away, are broadcast at NewPalRadio.com. Home games are also simulcast on a pay-per-view basis on IHSAAtv.org. NPHS athletics is online (NewPalestineAthletics.com), on X (@NPHSDragons), Facebook and Instagram (@newpalestinedragons)