When Newton meets Alcovy on the basketball court, it's always a big game with bragging rights on the line.

This year, the rivalry is boosted even more with both Alcovy and Newton being in the same region, Region 2-AAAAAA, for the first time. Saturday that region rivalry kicked off with the Tigers, and their three straight losses, welcoming Newton which had won three straight.

Things didn't change much after the two teams finished up on the court with Newton winning 47-43.

Led by senior small forward Rashard Cabane's 12 points, including going 6 of 7 at the free-throw line, the Rams managed to come away with a hard-fought victory.
Having trailed for most of the game, including by seven at one point, it was Cabane who came up big on the defensive end as he drew key charges on Alcovy's Marcus Beasley.

Cabane, leading the Rams in charges, having 10 in the last two games, set a new Newton record with six against Alcovy.

"Rashard also showed great heart by taking what I think is a Newton record of 6 charges on defense in the game," Newton coach Rick Rasmussen said. "Both teams pride themselves on being physically tough, and we knew that both physical and mental toughness would be what it would take to win on the road in a rivalry game."

While Newton shot just 47 percent from the free-throw line (17 of 36) but came up big from both the line and the field in the second half.

Throughout the final two periods, Newton shot 60 percent from the field after making just 28 percent in the first two quarters.

"We shot 21 more free throws than Alcovy, which is pretty much dominating the game physically," Rasmussen said. "But obviously, we didn't cash in."

For the Tigers, senior power forward Marcus Beasley's 15 point, 3 rebound game wasn't enough to put his team over the top. Having seemingly had the game under control for a large majority of the game, the Tiger's sloppy passing and foul ridden defense cost them key possessions late in the game.

The Tigers held strong through the first half and found themselves with a slight lead at halftime. Their pesky defense managed to frustrate the visiting Rams who seemed discombobulated and flustered at times.

But it was the Rams who turned the tables on the sometimes wild Tiger offense, taking as big as an eight-point lead in the middle of the fourth. Alcovy cut it to two late, but Newton handled the Tigers press well and made enough free throws down the stretch to hold them off.

Jalen Glover had eight points and five rebounds, and Rodarious Mitchell had nine points and three assists for the Rams, who forced 15 turnovers.

Switching between a half court press and man to man protection, Newton's defensive effort translated to points on the offense end as the Tigers' defense was left scrambling for the remainder of the night.

The Rams are now 9-4 against Alcovy and after Tuesday night's game against Lovejoy, which finished after press time, travel to Jackson, Atlanta Friday. Alcovy hosted Druid Hills Tuesday and continue region play Friday at Morrow.