WORCESTER — It might not all the time be fairly, however Newton North refuses to lose.
Senior Teagan Swint scored 22 factors whereas Newton North proved to be clutch defensively down the stretch because the No. 3 Tigers held off a late Springfield Central flurry to get previous the No. 7 Golden Eagles, 53-49, within the Division 1 state semifinals on Tuesday night time at Worcester State.
Newton North will play No. 1 Franklin for the Division title on the Tsongas Middle in Lowell, the date and time to be decided. Newton North final appeared in a state last in 2022.
“That is terrific for these youngsters,” Newton North coach Paul Connolly mentioned. “For a child like Teagan Swint – that was our eightieth win in 4 years. These guys have been unbelievable since their freshman yr. All of them purchased in. We’re not the prettiest group generally however the bonds these youngsters have collectively and selflessness – it’s an ideal mix.”
Newton North (24-1) led 23-18 on the half and gained separation when Swint buried a triple to push the lead as much as eight, 32-24. Springfield Central trimmed the deficit to simply two factors, however because the third quarter wound down Julian Zakak drilled a three-pointer on the shot clock buzzer and Jacob Lyons completed in visitors to up the Tigers’ result in seven getting into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers’ largest lead of the sport got here early within the fourth quarter when Swint related on lengthy vary to make the rating 45-32, however the Golden Eagles got here storming again. Utilizing its full court docket stress, Central sped up the sport, main the Tigers right into a trio of turnovers and rushed photographs.
On the different finish, JP Martinez hit a three-pointer, whereas Jabari Sifrin laid in a pair of offensive putbacks to chop the Tigers’ result in 47-44. Swint, nevertheless, answered by hitting a three-pointer from in entrance of the Tigers bench to place the Tigers on high by six with 2:15 remaining.
Springfield Central tried to remain on the Tigers’ heels however got here up with a pair of empty possessions, whereas the Tigers hit three free throws within the video games waning moments to emerge victorious.
“We received a little bit tentative towards their full court docket stress however we had been capable of get a little bit little bit of separation,” Connolly mentioned. “It was a double digit sport however then we didn’t make some performs. Fortunately our guys after they wanted to stepped up on the defensive finish.”
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