The Newton basketball teams picked up a pair of hard-fought Division 4-2A wins last week as they swept rival Union on Friday.
The Lady Tigers had little trouble with the Lady Yellowjackets as they took a 50-22 win while the Tigers needed some late free throws to take a 37-30 win over the Yellowjackets.
Newton was scheduled to play in the MLK Shootout at Jefferson Davis County on Monday. They will return to Division 4-2A play on Tuesday when they host Philadelphia. On Friday, Newton will host Scott Central.
Union also had two games this week as they will travel to Scott Central on Tuesday and host Lake on Friday night.
Newton boys 37, Union 30
The Tigers used some late free throws to take a seven-point win over the Yellowjackets in a tight 4-2A contest on Friday.
Union led 7-5 at the end of the first period before Newton outscored the Yellowjackets 15-6 in the second period to take a 20-13 lead at the half. In a low-scoring third period, Union outscored Newton 5-2 to cut the lead to 22-17 at the end of the third. Newton outscored Union 15-12 in the fourth for the final margin.
Deshaun Watts led Newton with 15 points as he hit six free throws in the final eight seconds to help give Newton the win. Yorel Phillips also had 12 points for Newton.
Newton improved to 15-6 overall and 2-1 in 2-2A play while Union fell to 17-3 and 2-1 in 2-2A play.
J.T. Vance led Union with 11 points while Jamarcus Jones added eight points.
Newton girls 50, Union 22
The Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Yellowjackets in every period and took a 28-point win in a Division 4-2A contest.
Newton led 11-5 at the end of the first period and 21-13 at the half. The Lady Tigers pulled away in the second half as they outscored the Lady Yellowjackets 12-2 in the third and 17-6 in the fourth.
Newton had a balanced scoring attack as McKinley Ware led Newton with 11 points while Nia McCalphia and Myja McNichols each had 10 points apiece. JaLeah Hickmon also had nine points.
Ansley Rigby led Union with 10 points while Keirra Russell had five points.
Newton improved to 16-2 on the year and 3-0 in 4-2A play while Union fell to 14-8 and 2-1 in 4-2A.
