Newton, Rockets finish 10-0

The visiting Bearcats started the game off with a 3-pointer with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter. Thirty-six seconds later, Rodrick Newton hit a 3-pointer of his own to tie it up with 2:54 left. Not much more happened in the first quarter, with Rockingham pulling out a 7-4 lead to close the quarter.

The second quarter was close as Rockingham scored 8 points and Anson scored 7. The Rockets took a 15-11 lead into intermission after Anson got a technical foul and Newton drained the second of two free throws.

The third quarter ended as a draw as both teams scored 9 points a piece. The fourth quarter drew tension between the two teams as both teams kept exchanging baskets until Rockingham finally pulled away with the victory after Anson’s 3-point attempt with 0.6 seconds remaining was no good.

“Anson’s good, they’re a good team,” said Rockingham coach William Hunter. “They’ve got skilled position players, their coach is good. We knew this wasn’t going to be a (cake walk).”

Newton scored a game-high 19 points while Bobby Terry chipped in with seven points. Jahyae Stanback scored five points and Cameron Caraway and D.J. Stephens added three points apiece. Grayson Preslar led Anson with 10 points.

The Southeastern Middle School Conference playoffs begin Monday. Brackets are to be released on Friday.