The Newton Tigers were finally able to get past the Kemper County Wildcats this season.
After dropping both regular-season games to the Wildcats, the Tigers used a balanced scoring attack and stingy defense to take a 54-41 win and capture the Division 5-2A title.
The Tigers barely escaped an upset in the semifinals as they beat Philadelphia 58-56.
The Newton boys will host Amite County on Tuesday in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament.
Newton boys 54, Kemper County 41
The Tigers started strong and held the Wildcats off to take a 13-point win and capture the Division 5-2A championship on Friday at Lake.
Newton held a slim 17-14 lead at the end of the first period and then outscored the Wildcats 17-7 in the second to lead 34-21 at the half. Each team scored 10 points apiece in the third and fourth periods as the Tigers held on to take the win.
Craigory Craft led Newton with 15 points while Tyreke Snow and Tavion White each had 14 points.
Newton boys 58, Philadelphia 56
The Tigers put four players in double figures and held on to take a two-point win over the Tornadoes in the Division 5-2A semifinals.
Newton led 15-14 at the end of the first but Philly took the second period 14-13 to tie the game at 28-28 at the half. Newton then pulled away in the third period and outscored Philly 18-13 to take a 46-41 lead into the fourth. Philly rallied in the fourth and outscored the Tigers 15-12 for the final margin.
Emmanuel Robinson led Newton with 14 points while Tavion White had 13 points. Craigory Craft had 12 pains while Tyreke Snow had 11 points.
