Despite some close calls, both Newton County Academy basketball teams failed to pick up a win last week.
The Generals played three contests, falling 42-41 to Winston, 53-42 to East Rankin and 53-37 to Laurel Christian. The Lady Generals fell 42-39 to Winston and 50-32 to Laurel Christian.
NCA will return from the Thanksgiving break and host Lamar School on Tuesday and Prentiss Christian on Thursday.
Winston boys 42, NCA 41
The Generals fell behind early and dropped a one-point decision to the Patriots last week.
Winston led 8-7 at the end of the first and 20-13 at the half. NCA outscored Winston 16-12 in the third and 12-10 in the fourth for the final margin.
NCA had three scorers in double digits, led by Lawson Reeves with 11 points. Trace Evans had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while Micheal Lee Buffington had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Winston girls 42, NCA 39
The Lady Generals fell behind early but fought back only to fall by three to the Lady Patriots.
Winston jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first period and outscore NCA 12-10 in the second to lead 20-10 at the half. But the Lady Generals bounced back and outscored the Lady Patriots 14-5 in the third to cut the lead to 25-24. In a back-and-forth final period, Winston used a 17-15 advantage to hold on and take the win.
Lilly Hollingsworth led NCA with 14 points while Belle Hollingsworth and Cayden Alexander each had nine points. Macie Woodham also had six points for the Lady Generals.
East Rankin boys 53, NCA 42
The Patriots got off to a quick start and held that lead to take an 11-point win.
East Rankin jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first period. But NCA outscored East Rankin 15-11 in the second to cut the margin to 28-21. East Rankin outscored NCA 12-10 in the third and the Generals took the fourth 14-13 for the final margin.
Micheal Lee Buffington led NCA with 11 points and 11 rebounds while Braxton Kelly had 10 points.
Laurel Christian boys 53, NCA 37
Laurel started quick and started strong and took a 16-point win over the Generals last week.
Laurel Christian jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first period and led 25-17 at the half. NCA pulled closer as they outscored Laurel 13-10 in the second to cut the margin to 35-30 going to the fourth. Laurel finished strong as they outscored NCA 18-7 in the fourth.
Micheal Lee Buffington had a big game with 21 points and 20 rebounds while Lawson Reeves had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Laurel Christian girls 50, NCA 32
Laurel used a big second period to build big lead and take an 18-point win over the Lady Generals.
Laurel led 9-5 at the end of the first and then outscored NCA 22-5 in the second to lead 31-10 at the half. NCA fought back in the third, outscoring Laurel 15-8 to make the score 39-25. Laurel took the fourth 1107 for the final margin.
Belle Hollingsworth led NCA with 11 points while Lilly Hollingsworth, Cayden Alexander and Emma Reese each had six points.
