The Newtown-Harris basketball team finished one step short of the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown in Columbia this weekend, losing to Class 1 defending state champions Jefferson on Saturday at Maryville.
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The Tigers had no answers for the Eagles’ defense or their size as Newtown-Harris lost to Jefferson, 59-41.
The difference in the game was rebounding and turnovers. Jefferson overcame its 38 percent shooting output by out-rebounding Newtown-Harris, 41-22. The Eagles also weathered the Tigers’ solid outside shooting (6-of-11 from three-point range) by forcing 25 turnovers.
In the third quarter, Newtown-Harris’ defense held Jefferson to only one basket on their first 10 possessions. However, the Tigers could not convert their defensive stops into points. During a five-minute span, N-H had five turnovers, two missed shots and two shots blocked.
Jefferson was able to expand its lead by three points in the third quarter, despite hitting only three baskets and scoring a total of eight points. Heading into the fourth quarter, Jefferson led, 40-25.
The Tigers hit three three-pointers in the final period, but could not come up with defensive stops. Keith Moffat led the way for Jefferson in the fourth quarter with six of his team-high 15 points. Moffat entered the game averaging only five points per game.
Defensively, N-H did a solid job of containing Jefferson’s standout center Doug Archer, holding him to just 11 points. However, Archer’s long 6-7 frame proved too much for the Tigers on defense. Archer dominated the defensive side of the court, blocking numerous shots and holding Newtown-Harris’ three forwards (Brandon Coin, Matt Tovera and Justin Ralls) to a total of two points each.
The Tigers were led by senior Andy Busick with 13 points. Canaan Fairly scored 12 points and K.J. Cool finished with 11 points.
The Tigers looked solid early in the contest, trading early baskets with the Eagles. Midway through the first quarter, things changed and the Eagles mounted a 24-7 run that proved too much for Newtown-Harris, which finished the season with a 26-3 overall record.
Jefferson improves to 29-1 overall and is headed back to Columbia for the third straight season.