The Newton boys basketball team moved to within one game of .500, while the girls team finished its regular season with a loss at a doubleheader in Pella Friday night.
The Cardinal boys (9-10, 5-7 Little Hawkeye Conference) got 10 points each from senior Jesse Bates and sophomore Nick Easley to edge out the Dutch by a final of 44-43. Newton took a 25-15 lead into halftime, then fended off a furious Pella comeback in the second.
Senior Andrew Clements and sophomore Tyler Wood each threw in seven points, while senior Collin Reynolds and junior Daquan Allen each had four and senior Jacob Hill rounded out Newton’s scoring with two points. Bates led the team in rebounds with seven, while Clements had three steals and Easley had four assists.
The Newton girls (8-13, 3-9) weren’t as lucky, falling to the Dutch by a final of 39-31.
Senior Kaylie Rhoads paced the Cards with 16 points and sophomore Sarah Kalkhoff was next in line with six. Seniors Anna Latcham and Kristin Samson scored three each, senior Michelle Marquis had two and junior Lizzie Stock rounded out the team scoring with one.
Rhoads also led the team in rebounds with nine and steals with four. The Cards led 22-8 at halftime, but Pella caught fire with a 31-9 second half to secure the victory.
Newton’s boys will travel to Winterset tonight and Perry on Thursday, while the girls will kick off Class 4A playoff action at Des Moines Hoover Wednesday night.