NEWTON IMPROVES TO 14-1 WITH WIN OVER PARKVIEW

The Newton Boys basketball team hasn’t lost a game since the first of the year, riding a five-game winning streak after defeating Parkview by the score of 76-68 on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.  The Rams just got off their feet from a 4-game stint in Westwego, LA, coming away with the ‘Chip during the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic. Indiana Hoosier Jakai Newton was named Tournament MVP and UCONN commit Stephon Castle earned all tourney honors. Both showed up big-time during the 4-game stretch.

Taking Care of Business

On any given night, Newton has the ability to use different weapons to put pressure on opposing defenses. Their bigs are beginning to come alive as well, which is going to pose a serious problem going into Region play.  Newton seems to always be in attack mode on both ends of the floor.  At this stage of the season, it appears that you could throw everything but the kitchen sick at them and they would respond.

The Rams led for the majority of the way and were up by as many as 20+ points late in the 2nd half. This allowed Head Coach Charlemagne Gibbons to rest his key pieces and give guys coming off the bench some extra playing time. Parkview continued to scratch and claw away at the lead, making the game closer on paper than it actually was. For the most part, Newton was never tested.
The Rams will take the dub and keep it moving, heading into a weekend showdown with Pebblebrook on January 15, 2022.  Make note that this will be a back to back game as the Rams also play Cumberland Christian the night before.  The Pebblebrook contest should give us a true indication of where we stand on the GHSA Hoops Circuit Region 7A arena. Pebblebrook is rated the #2 team in the State by most basketball experts around the country and in the State of GA. #1 vs #2.  It doesn’t get any better than that.

Injury Note
2023 UCONN commit Stephon Castle suffered a rolled ankle and is listed as day to day. He rolled it during the 1st quarter but was able to come back into the game and hit a buzzer beater to end the quarter.  He played sparingly duirng thew 2nd quarter but didn’t return for the 2nd half.