March 28, 2024

NHS girls stun Tigers

GRINNELL — Sydney Jenkins’ jump shot in the lane with 24 seconds remaining in the game would prove to be the game-winner for Newton High’s Cardinals.

But the 43-41 Little Hawkeye Conference win over host Grinnell’s Tigers Tuesday was a full team effort. The Cardinals had the Tigers on the ropes early with a runout of 6-0 to start the game.

They led 10-3 at the end of the first quarter. The Cardinals didn’t back down after Grinnell’s 5-foot-11 inch post player Sienna Durr led the Tigers on an 18-6 run for a 21-16 lead at halftime.

Grinnell stayed in front through three quarters, 29-25. The Cardinals scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to lead 31-29. Newton held a 41-36 lead with 1:33 left in the contest.

The Tigers got five straight points from senior Deja Jackson, who was back in the Grinnell lineup for the first time in several games. Jackson sank two free throws then hit her only basket of the night — a 3-pointer — to tie the game at 41-all.

Jenkins got open in the lane to put the Cardinals in front. Grinnell missed a shot with six seconds on the clock and the ball went out of bounds to Newton. The Tigers had one final shot with a defensive rebound off a missed Newton free throw attempt with 3.3 seconds left.

Newton senior Michaela Jacobson, who had 11 points in the game, intercepted the long inbounds pass to seal the victory for the Cardinals.

“We have been working on playing ‘game point’ mentality basketball on offense and defense. Tonight was everything coming together,” said Brandon Sharp, Newton head coach. “We had great team defense. All the close games we have lost prepared us for tonight.”

Hannah Rhoads knocked down two 3-pointers on her way to a team-high 12 points. Ryanne Rausch scored eight points. Jenkins and Alex Hutchinson each had four points. Jessica Reynolds and Ellie Horn had two points apiece.

Durr finished with 15 points for the Tigers, and 10 of those came in the second quarter. Madeline Wilkins added 10 points for Grinnell.

The Cardinals travel to Chariton Thursday in non-league action.

Grinnell won the junior varsity game Tuesday, 45-38. Taylor Shipley and Courtney Jacobsen each had nine points for Newton.