The Newton County Cougars got back into the Division 5-4A race with a pair of big wins this past week.
The Cougars beat Northeast Jones 52-49 on Tuesday and then beat Mendenhall 55-50 on Friday.
The Cougars ended the week with a 56-39 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
The Cougars improved to 9-14 on the season and 3-3 in Division 5-4A play. The Cougars will host Florence on Tuesday and will travel to Richland on Friday.
Newton County 52, Northeast Jones 49
The Cougars opened up a big lead in the first period and held on to take a three-point win over the Tigers in division play.
Newton County led 17-9 at the end of the first and 26-23 at the half. Each team scored 11 in the third and 15 in the fourth for the final margin.
The Cougars had a balanced scoring attack a Josiah Cleveland led County with 16 points. Jared Thames had 14 points while Jamaal Croft had nine points. Davion Hillie had seven points and Chris Thomas added six points.
Newton County boys 55, Mendenhall 50
The Cougars opened up a six-point lead in the first period and were able to maintain that lead as they took a five-point win over the Tigers in division play.
Newton County led 10-4 at the end of the first and 22-17 at the half. County outscored Mendenhall 19-17 in the third and led 41-34 going to the fourth. Mendenhall outscored County 16-14 in the fourth as the Cougars held on for the win.
Davion Hillie led a balanced scoring attack for Newton County with 15 points. Jamaal Croft and Josiah Cleveland each had 10 points while Jared Thames had nine points and Miguel Evans added eight points.
Philadelphia boys 56, Newton County 39
The Cougars led early but rested starters for most of the second half as the Tornadoes pulled away for a 17-point win.
Newton County started quick as they led 11-4 at the end of the first and outscored Philly 20-6 in the second to lead 31-20 at the half. But The Tornadoes bounced back in the second half as they outscored the Cougars 19-4 in the third to take a 39-35 lead at the half. Philly finished off the game by outscoring Newton County 17-4 in the fourth to take the win.
Jamaal Croft led Newton County with 21 points with 19 in the first half. Josiah Cleveland also had 10 points.
