Newton girls snap skid against Knoxville, lose to Eagles

KNOXVILLE — Newton’s girls’ basketball team got a complete team effort in its win over Knoxville on Saturday.

Meg Callaghan had another double-double, Chassidy Henwood filled up the box score and Audrey Rausch and Victoria Reynolds both scored in double-figures as the Cardinals downed the Panthers 64-56 during non-conference action.

“Last night, after a tough loss, we had a good, long talk about coming back and playing like we know how to play,” Newton girls’ coach Eric Vander Velden said. “This afternoon, we showed up ready to play. We put in great effort, played hard all 32 minutes and worked as a team.”

The second quarter is where Newton created the most separation. Knoxville led by two after one, but an 18-8 advantage in the second put the Cardinals (2-7) in front. Both teams scored 32 points in the second half.

Newton led by 12 midway through the third quarter but trailed by one midway through the fourth.

“We gutted it out and made crucial free throws at the end of the game,” Vander Velden said. “Having four players in double-figures is outstanding. This is a prime example of us playing as a team.”

Callaghan finished with 16 points and 19 rebounds, which is tied for the most ever in school history. Henwood tallied 18 points, six rebounds, seven assists, eight steals and five blocks. The five blocks are tied for the third most in a single game in school history and the eight steals puts her in a tie for fourth all-time.

Rausch added a career-high 14 points and five rebounds and Reynolds chipped in a season-high 13 points and dished out three assists. Emma Rogers grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots, while Kealey Manning pulled down four boards.

The Cardinals shot 43 percent from the floor, made 4-of-14 from 3-point range and connected on 14-of-19 from the foul line. They snapped their six-game losing skid despite committing 18 turnovers.

Maggie Wilkins, who had 28 points in Knoxville’s win last year, had 20 points to lead all scorers on Saturday. The Panthers are now 7-2.

Pella Christian 55, Newton 39

PELLA — A tough start was too much to overcome for Newton against Pella Christian on Friday night during Little Hawkeye Conference play. The Eagles led 14-5 after one and held a 25-12 advantage at halftime during a 55-39 home win.

The second half was much closer but Pella Christian won the final 16 minutes 30-27.

“The first half was not us,” Vander Velden said. “There was no effort and we had a lack of commitment on doing what we have been working on in practice. The last 12 minutes was better. We had a sense of urgency. But when you get down by 20, it’s hard to come back.”

Callaghan finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Henwood chipped in 13 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks. Manning tallied three points and five boards, Rausch had three points and four rebounds and Reynolds grabbed five rebounds.

The Cardinals, who dropped to 0-5 in LHC play, shot 31 percent from the floor, were 0-of-11 from 3-point range and made just 7-of-23 from the line. Newton did out-rebound the Eagles 47-30 but turned the ball over 22 times.

“We are getting good looks from 3, but the shots just aren’t falling,” Vander Velden said. “We need to look to attack more. We got them in foul trouble, but we need to capitalize at the line.”

Allison Van Gorp led all scorers with 22 points and added nine boards for the Eagles. Pella Christian (5-5 overall, 1-3 in the conference) won the game despite making just 5-of-20 from long range and committing 19 turnovers.