April 26, 2024

Cardinals fall short in showdown with No. 9 Chargers

By Jocelyn Sheets
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Newton High senior Jwan Roush (12) finds room on the outside to shoot over Chariton’s Daric Laing (4) for a 3-pointer in Monday’s non-conference contest in Newton. Roush drained six 3-pointers, scoring 20 points for the Cardinals, who fell 74-70 to Class 3A No. 9 Chariton. (Jocelyn Sheets)

It was billed as a shootout. Newton High’s student section came dressed in western wear and cowboy hats.

Fans got their shootout.

Unfortunately for the Newton Cardinal faithful, the Class 3A ninth-ranked Chariton’s Chargers had just a little more firepower on the court. The Chargers cashed in on 32-of-41 free throw attempts to walk away with a 74-70 win.

“I’m so proud of my guys and how they never gave up. They didn’t quit and they fought to the end,” Newton head coach Bill Liley said. “I have a lockerroom full of players who don’t quit.”

The Cardinals found themselves in deep foul trouble in the second half. They led 31-27 at halftime on a three-point play from sophomore Garrett Sturtz.

Newton junior Connor Gholson began the second half with a steal, breaking away for a dunk. Gholson swiped the ball again and Sturtz’s follow shot lifted the Cardinals to a 35-27 lead.

Chariton’s Lim Chuol rattled off seven unanswered to cut the margin to one point. A basket by senior Joseph Banfield at the 3:19 mark pushed Newton back in front by five, 39-34.

A basket by Chuol and a 3-pointer by Daric Laing tied the game. Laing, who was 14-of-19 at the line, sank a free throw to give the lead to the Chargers.

Senior guard Jwan Roush drove the lane for Newton, drawing two defenders, and passed the ball to Banfield for a layup.

As the third quarter came to a close, Newton saw Chariton’s T.J. Hockenson complete a three-point play. Most importantly, Gholson was charged with his third foul.

Chariton took a 43-41 lead into the fourth quarter and didn’t give it up. The Chargers began the fourth quarter much like they opened the game. They scored seven unanswered.

Newton began missing point-blank shots and the fouls began mounting. It was 59-49 with 3:22 left in the game.

Gholson fouled out with 2:16 on the clock and was fouled by Josh Ventling. Still behind by 10, Roush drilled a 3-pointer for the Cardinals.

Newton began fouling to stop the clock and extend the game. Chariton hit enough foul shots down the stretch to thwart the Cardinals’ upset bid.

Roush hit four more treys in that span to keep the Cardinals comeback alive. They ran out of time.

“We had a bad game. I expect us to do things right all the time, but it’s not going to happen all the time,” Liley said. “Our guys have done it right more than they have done it wrong this season.”

Roush finished with 20 points, two steals and three assists for the Cardinals. Gholson scored 15 points and had two steals.

Banfield ended up with 15 points, three steals and three assists. Sturtz tossed in 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and had three assists.

Newton only shot seven free throws in the game. The Cardinals made six.

“That’s a team we’re going to have to beat in a run at the state tournament,” Liley said. “Now, we see where we are with them.”

Liley said the Cardinals have to work harder to get better. He said Newton’s schedule gets tougher down the stretch.

“We have to put in some hard practices,” Liley said. “We made a run at the end which shows character.

“I’m proud of their heart, but I also want to be proud of their basketball knowledge and execution.”

Newton is in Class 3A District 12 and Chariton is in District 11. They could meet again in the Substate 6 championship game.

Chariton (17-1) had four players score led by Laing’s 30 points. Chuol had 22 points and Hockenson added 20 points.

Newton (10-5) was to have played at home Tuesday against Grinnell in Little Hawkeye Conference action. The game has been moved to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Newton’s junior varsity beat Chariton, 51-48. Grayson Graham had 17 points, six rebounds and four steals. Trey Vanderlaan tossed in 16 points, grabbed six rebounds, made four steals and had four assists.

Chariton won the freshman game, 74-64. Cole Webster scored 23 points and Aaron Bartels had 16 points

Newton  15-16-10-26—70

Chariton  18-9-16-31—74

Newton (FG/3-pt): Sturtz 5-2-3-12, Stout 1-0-2-2, Roush 1/6-0-4-20, Bennett 1-0-4-2, Banfield 6-3-5-15, Gholson 4/2-1-5-15, Ventling 2-0-5-4, Maher 0-0-2-0. TOTALS: 20/8-6-30-70.

Chariton (FG/3-pt): Laing 5/2-14-0-30, Sriver 0-0-1-0, Krutsinger 0-2-3-2, Chuol 7-8-3-22, T.J. Hockenson 6-8-4-20. TOTALS: 18/2-32-11-74.