By winning the division championship, the Newton Tigers have put themselves in as good of a position as they can possibly be.
The Tigers will finally get on the court this week as they open the first round of the Class 2A playoffs when they host Enterprise-Lincoln on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.
Porter said he likes the matchup for his team.
“They are not as athletic as we are but they are very well coached,” Porter said. “They are extremely disciplined but just not as athletic as we are. I think we have to make them be athletic and that’s the way that we play. What we have been doing all year will be important for us winning the game. That’s why we do what we do, rotating the two groups. Being athletic and doing what we do is going to be important.”
Porter said the Tigers were able to get back in the gym on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We haven’t been practicing but they haven’t either,” Porter said. “I think they caught it worse than we did but I think that plays to our advantage. The weather hurt everybody.”
The Tigers have set themselves up for a big week. If they win on Tuesday, they will play the winner of North Forrest and Heidelberg on Thursday. A win on Thursday would set up another home date for Newton with a chance to go the 2A Final Four.
“I think this week sets up well for us,” Porter said. “What we do is hard to prepare for. We basically have 10 of the same players. We have put ourselves in a good spot. We can play all three games at home. We have put ourselves in a good spot. We would probably get a No. 1 team at home on Saturday with a chance to go to Jackson.”
Porter said he has seen a lot of growth from the Tigers after an early-season loss to Philadelphia.
“And I think these guys have really grown up a lot,” Porter said. “For them to win the district, it’s a big deal for them. You can see that it has changed them. It has made them more mature and I don’t know what is going to happen. We have a great core and a great road in the playoffs. I’ve always said, talent isn’t the issue. We have plenty of talent and are deep. I think we have as much talent as anybody in the state.”
