Sports

Wolves drop another close conference game

STEVE KAY, LTN Correspondent

Jan. 28, 2002 - NEWTON — Julius Powell scored eight points in the fourth period and Newton-Conover’s pressure defense help lift the host Red Devils to a 60-56 win over Lincolnton Friday.

It was another conference loss that the Wolves could have won.

In their first meeting, the Red  Devils rallied back to win in overtime.

This time Lincolnton led by 13 points but turnovers and failure to get baskets (just two in the final quarter) did the Wolves in.

While the Wolves struggled, Newton roared back and put together its best quarter by outscoring the Wolves 21-10 to pull off the win.

Leading scorer Eric Wilson had an off night. The sophomore scraped together just seven points in the game.

However, Darren Wilson did pick up the slack. He poured in 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

Robbie Lewis continued his fine play by chipping in with 14 on 5-of-6 shooting. Lewis had 12 at halftime.

Junior Smith played well inside for the Wolves as well. He pitched in with nine points and played solid defense against the much taller Powell.

Jeremy Degree had two points to round out the Wolves’ scoring.

The Wolves shot 20-of-46 and 10-of-13 from the charity stripe.

Lincolnton drops to 4-4 in Midwest 2A Conference play.

However, the record is misleading. The Wolves have entered the last minute of each loss with a chance to win.

The hard-luck Wolves can play with any team in the league.

Lady Wolves win 36-33

Andrea Stroup dumped in 13 and Lauren Bartholomew added 10 Friday to lead the Lady Wolves to their second win over Newton-Conover this season.

The defense dominated the game for both teams. Newton’s pressure on the ball and Lincolnton’s 2-3 zone kept both offenses from having much success.

Both teams simply couldn’t get off shots.

The Lady Wolves pulled out ahead with a 17-11 first quarter and a 30-25 halftime score.

The Lady Devils closed within four at the end of the third and looked to take control of the game when Stroup, Lincolnton’s primary ball handler, fouled out with more than five minutes to play.

But the Wolves didn’t panic.

Lindsey Sain and Bartholomew stepped up and managed to do a good job the rest of the way.

Newton cut the lead to one point in the closing seconds of the game but Bartholomew hit two clutch free throws for breathing room.

Shantae Shank also came through when needed. She hit six of her nine points in the fourth quarter.

Also impressive on defense was Andrea Smith. Smith was very active in the 2-3 zone. She had two points.

Sain also had a bucket for the Lady Wolves, who shot 14-of-32 from the field as a team and just 8-of-17 from the foul line.

With the win, Lincolnton upped its conference mark to 6-2.

The Wolves will host chase Tuesday and rival West Lincoln Friday.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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