JACKSON — The Newton Lady Tigers are one step away from another Class 2A state championship.
The Lady Tigers used quick starts in the first and third periods to take a 51-43 win over Puckett on Tuesday in the semifinals of the Class 2A state tournament being played at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
Newton coach Perry Fletcher has has Lady Tigers, who improved to 28-2 on the year, within one game of another state championship.
“The kids played really hard,” Fletcher said. “It was just a by-product of what we have done all season. They did a good job of getting prepared and I thought we were more hungry than their girls. We were able to stay focused and get the job done.”
Fletcher was also quick to give credit to assistant coach Mark Stribling who helped adjust the Lady Tigers to Puckett’s zone.
“We were familiar with what they were going to do,” Fletcher said. “We felt like they would be the best team in the South and that’s why we played them earlier in the season. We felt like if God blessed us enough to be in this game, we would be playing them. We were well prepared and Coach Stribling did a good job of getting our girls prepared for their zone in practice.”
Newton led from the beginning and never allowed Puckett to have the lead. The Lady Tigers led 10-6 at the end of the first and 23-19 at the half. The Lady Tigers extended the lead in the third period as they outscored the Lady Wolves 13-9 to take a 36-28 lead into the fourth. Each team scored 15 points in the fourth period and Newton took the win.
Nia McCalphia continued her strong post-season run as she scored 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Myja McNichols had 14 points and seven rebounds while McKinley Ware had eight points and Ja’Leah Hickman added seven points.
Newton advances to the Class 2A finals against West Lincoln (26-5), who beat Calhoun City 53-50 to start the day.
“It’s going to be a dog fight,” Fletcher said. “Whenever you make it this far in the playoffs, anything can happen. I know they are good if they made it this far and beat a good Calhoun City team in the semifinals. We are prepared for a dog fight.”
The championship game is set for Friday at 1 p.m.
