Published: November 14, 2007 11:25 am            

Newton sweeps County in hoops

DECATUR — After losing two straight games to open the season, the Newton Lady Tigers got in the win column against Newton County last Tuesday with a 57-40 victory.

“It’s always good to get a win,” Newton coach Crandal Porter said. “I think playing a county rival brought a little intensity and focus that we had been missing. It made us better where we had been lacking.

“We still aren’t where we want to be but I did see some good things against County. I’m anxious to see how much we’ve improved.”

The Lady Tigers will get the chance this week when they travel to Northeast Lauderdale on Tuesday and Starkville on Saturday.

Newton outscored the Lady Cougars 14-2 in the fourth quarter to pull away in the Nov. 6 contest at Decatur.

Newton County trailed only 26-24 at halftime and 43-38 through three periods.

Newton County, 0-1, got 18 points from Sierra Croff, eight from Kanisha Warnsley, six from Reneisha Evans, and four from Marina Smith.

Newton, 1-2, got 12 points from Tineshia Evans, 11 from Shakara Edwards, nine from Tiara Buckley, eight from Tyisha Amos, seven from Shey Nichols, and six from Deonna Blalock.



Newton 68, County boys 53

The Cougars carried a 37-30 lead into halftime of the Nov. 6 season opener at Decatur, but the visiting Tigers stormed back to take a 38-16 advantage in the second half for the win.

“I’m not making any excuses but there weren’t a lot of days to practice,” Porter said. “That’s why the summer is so important. We were rusty in the first half and had some good shots that we normally make so I’m not that worried about that.”

Porter said the week of practice has been a good one.

“I’ve been impressed with them in practice the last week,” Porter said. “They are really getting after it. They realize after last year that nobody is going to give them anything. They are going to have to work for everything they get. We’ve got some good depth and that’s created some good practices. It’s been real intense.”

After the sluggish first half, the Tigers came out on fire in the second half as Newton outscored the Cougars 26-2 in the third quarter to go up 56-39.

Newton County, 0-1, got 18 points from Hakeem Wesley, 16 of which came in the first half. Dude Johnson scored nine with Aaron Jones getting seven, Rashad Robinson six, Eddie Ross five, and Snoopy Amos four.

Chucky Curry led Newton with 19 points. Steve Edwards scored 17 and Corey Denham had 11.



Staff Writer Marty Stamper contributed to this story.

        

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