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Rams take down Etowah at residence to clinch spot in Last 4


COVINGTON, Ga. — Newton secured their spot in Atlanta on Wednesday night time because the boys basketball staff clinched a spot within the Last 4 with a 68-53 win over Etowah.

It was a tightly contested recreation between the Rams and the Eagles, however Newton started to interrupt away increasingly more because the second half went on.

Finally, the Rams got here away with the 15-point win on the again of huge video games from senior Ted Neal and junior Jordan Inexperienced.

Within the postgame, head coach Barry Browner was overcome with emotion when he mentioned how the Last 4 berth was a full-circle second for him.

“It’s so candy man, to be again within the Last 4,” Browner mentioned. “I used to be an assistant right here once we have been within the Last 4 a pair years in the past. To have the ability to lead this program, I’m simply actually pleased with these guys. I’m pleased with my coaches, I’ve to shout out my coaches. Coach Darv, coach Marv, coach T — they’ve been right here and the final two years we have now been grinding.”

A day previous to Newton’s win over Etowah, the Woman Rams secured their spot within the Last 4 for the women bracket with a street win over Buford.

Jordan Inexperienced(4) with the ball within the Rams’ 68-53 win over the Etowah Eagles on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
– picture by Garrett Pitts

With the prospect for Newton to have two groups within the Last 4, the chance carried a distinct that means for Browner and the gamers.

“We talked about it when the women gained final night time,” Browner mentioned. “A few guys within the group chat have been saying, ‘This win, this isn’t about us. That is in regards to the group’. We all the time discuss this group, we all the time discuss Covington. So us getting the prospect to characterize Covington on the state stage, it’s an superior feeling.”

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The battle between Newton and Etowah on Wednesday began off neck-and-neck.

Early on, the Eagles managed to search out open guys within the paint on a number of events as Etowah was capable of scheme their technique to factors earlier than holding a 16-11 lead on the finish of the primary quarter.

Etowah starter Alex Younger had a powerful opening body because the 6-foot-6 ahead was capable of have a presence on the within whereas additionally flattening a shot from the perimeter.

When the sport transitioned into the second body, Neal and Zach Harden Jr. started to take over as Newton broke out for a 27-point quarter.

Neal went for eight factors within the body whereas Harden completed with 10 that included a three-pointer.

Harden had a powerful second within the second quarter that noticed the Minnesota-football commit rating on three consecutive possessions(three-pointer, and-one and a layup).

With many eyes on Marcus Smith and his current stretch of robust video games relationship again to the common season, Browner mentioned how that has allowed Harden to take one other step up.

“[It was] Zach coming in and actually serving to Marcus. We all know groups have been going to begin making an attempt to take the ball out of Marcus’ palms and now it’s important to choose your poison — it’s both Marcus or Zach,” Browner mentioned. “He[Harden] is our chief, he’s our emotional man. He garners respect and he’s an on a regular basis man.”

Newton Etowah Elite Eight 2025
The Rams’ beginning 5 on the bench after exiting the sport late within the fourth quarter with Newton forward by 15.
– picture by Garrett Pitts

Though his factors principally arrived late within the body, junior Jordan Inexperienced knocked down a trio of three-pointers that proved to be essential within the Rams potential to carry a 38-28 lead at halftime.

“We simply picked it up,” Browner mentioned. “The primary half we began out [slow] and the second half we actually picked it up. I’m simply pleased with their effort. They didn’t wish to lose, they weren’t able to go residence.”

Because the third quarter progressed, Newton managed to carry on to its 10-point lead regardless of some massive photographs from Etowah’s Colton Etter and DC Kelly-Godinez.

The third quarter noticed the Rams go a mixed 9 of 10 from the free throw line.

Newton managed to maintain tempo within the fourth quarter with massive ultimate frames from Inexperienced and Bryce Jackson, who mixed for 12 factors within the ultimate eight minutes.

Etowah put up 12 factors as a staff within the ultimate quarter, however the Rams finally got here away with the 68-53 win at residence.

The Rams knew they’d the scale benefit entering into, however that didn’t cease the Eagles from attacking the within in opposition to larger our bodies all through the sport.

After the sport, Browner spoke on the sport plan to cease the Eagles.

“We simply knew they have been aggressive. We knew they may shoot the basketball. We had a variety of respect for Alex Younger and Aiden Weaver,” Browner mentioned. “We knew they may get the ball inside and rating. Aiden is basically athletic. Luke Myles, he’s tough. We knew they weren’t going to be scared, they play in one of many hardest areas within the state, too. They obtained 4 groups within the Elite Eight, in order that they have performed in opposition to good competitors, they knew what it seemed like. We simply stored watching the movie and have been making an attempt various things to cease them. We knew they weren’t going to be scared, Jason [Dasinger] is a superb coach.”

Neal and Inexperienced completed with 19 and 18 factors, respectively. Harden and Jackson ended their days with 12 factors apiece.

For the Eagles, scoring was led by Etter with 15 factors whereas Will Myles had 11 factors.

What’s Subsequent

With the win, Newton moved to 20-9 on the season and have a spot within the Last 4 for the primary time because the 2021-22 season.

Within the Last 4, the Rams are set to tackle the Pebblebrook Falcons, who will enter the sport with a 22-8 file after a win over 77-70 Walton within the Elite Eight.

The Rams and Falcons will face off within the Last 4 at Georgia State on Saturday, Feb. 27.

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