For the first time since early December 2011 Newton has lost back-to-back games.

The Rams fell to Luella 81-78 in double overtime Friday before traveling to Eastside for a 45-38 loss on Saturday.

Friday the Rams (10-5) were beat despite shooting 18 of 19 from the free-throw line, a number they would have loved to have reached Saturday. Newton managed just 9 of 19 from the stripe against Eastside, including 2 of 9 in the second half and 1 of 5 in a pivotal fourth quarter.

"We didn't shoot them with confidence," Newton coach Rick Rasmussen said. "We completely beat ourselves."
Tied at 32 entering the final eight minutes, it went back and forth until Newton took a 38-36 lead.

However, from there Anthony Henderson hit a 3-pointer Jamal Hardge hit a free throw and Treyvon Francis followed with a bucket for six straight Eastside points and a 42-38 lead after Newton's timeout with 1:30 remaining.

The Rams couldn't cut into it any after that with a free throw from Francis and a layup by Henderson with seconds left to seal it.

Henderson finished with 15 points to lead the Eagles (8-4) offensively, while Chavis Williams came up with big plays on defense.

The last time these two teams met, Newton came away with a 59-42 home win, but Williams was missing due to injury - a difference Eastside's coach Greg Freeman said was key.

"He was the best defender in our region last year," Freeman said. "You can see how different our team is with him on the floor. He can guard anybody, guard forward center, it doesn't matter."

D.J. Hill and Taylor Hawkins paced the Rams with 20 points each.

Hawkins and DJ Hill scored eight of Newton's first 10 points as the Rams jumped out to a quick 10-3 lead over the host Eagles.

The Rams crashed the boards and took advantage of missed opportunities by Eastside as Hill grabbed a steal at the top of the 3-point arc and drove the rest of the way for a layup to put Newton ahead 10-3.

Eastside's Anthony Henderson hit a half-court shot at the first-quarter buzzer to pull Eastside within four, 12-8. Newton will look to bounce back as it travels to Rockdale Friday.

"It won't be easy on Tuesday," Rasmussen said. "We have to play better than that. We beat ourselves."

Eastside enters Region 8-AAAA play hosting Monroe Area Tuesday.

Lady Rams get big win
Newton picked up its sweep of Eastside Saturday, this time going on the road for a lop-sided victory.

The Lady Rams defeated Eastside 53-28 after taking a strong lead.

Newton jumped out early and Eastside was never able to recover behind an 11-3 first-quarter score.
The visitors took an 11-3 lead over the Lady Eagles in the first quarter, as Jounree Stokes (field goal) and Jymara Smith (free throw) scored Eastside's only points of the first eight minutes.

Eastside (6-7) fared better in the second quarter, getting outscored 10-8, but the Lady Rams (9-2) proved too much.

Precious Price had seven points in the first half for Newton, and finished with 16. Eastside was led by DeShantra Kelly and Zario Barton with seven points apiece.