Newton outscored Tucker 33-23 in the second half to beat Tucker and win the 2-AAAAAA region championship, in a 61-46 win.

Tucker started the game like they were ready to repeat as 2-AAAAAA region champs, but they didn’t know what Newton had in-store. The Tigers took an early 5-0 lead, but Newton got its offense going and a 10-2 run capped off by a three from JD Notae gave the Rams the lead. It was 12-10 Rams after the first. Notae scored 10 of Newton’s first quarter points.

Notae suffered a scare in the second quarter when he went up for a dunk and fell awkwardly, hitting his chin on the floor. He would leave the game, returning later in the second.

Enter Darvin Jones.

Jones scored eight points in the second quarter and gave the Rams a huge boost as they maintained the lead.

After a Darvin three the Rams led 24-18. Newton was up by five at the half, but they came out and started the second half with fire. Jaquan Simms’ triple gave the Rams a 45-34 lead. Notae got free with a beautiful cross and stepback three at the buzzer, as Newton went up 50-37 to end the third.

The Rams showed great poise in the fourth quarter, especially Ashton Hagans running the point. He slowed the game down and forced Tucker to come to them and Newton answered. They led by as many as 16 on their way to victory.

Notae led Newton with 24 points and Simms added 14.