Newton Basketball Playoff Run Comes to an End

After beating the odds for three post-season victories, the No. 17 Newton South girls' basketball team ended their South Div. 1 playoff run last night with a 54-53 semifinal loss to No. 4 Franklin. 

Meanwhile, the No. 2 Newton North boys' basketball team fell to No. 6 North Quincy in a South Div. 1 semifinal match last night, ending their season with a 51-47 loss at UMass Boston.

Over at Massasoit-brockton, the Lions led early on in the game. Franklin would eventually come back to lead at the end of the half and at the end of the third quarter, according to the NSHS Denebola game story. South kept battling back, though, and tied it up at 52 all with three minutes to go in the game. 

As the clock wound down, Franklin and South traded free-throw attempts, with Franklin moving a head to 54-53. With just a few seconds to go, Franklin intercepted a South pass and ran the clock out for the win, the Denebola reported. 

The Newton South girls had three playoff victories, including a 49-45 win over cross-town rival Newton North. They finish the season 13-11. 

At UMass Boston, Newton North trailed North Quincy the whole game, but got close to topping the Red Raiders a few times, Boston.com reported. 

The lead was nearly in Newton North's hands at the start of the fourth quarter, when the Tigers' lead scorer Tommy Mobley tied the game up at 39 points, Boston.com reported. The Red Raiders would eventually come back, though, to take the game 51-47. 

The Tigers had two post-season victories against Madison Park and Taunton. They finish the season at 20-4. 

Newton's two other basketball teams -- the Newton South boys and Newton North girls -- were also in the South Div. 1 tournament this year. However, the Newton South boys were knocked out by Mansfield in a first round loss and the Newton North girls were defeated by Newton South earlier on in the tournament.

For more details on these games, check out reports in the NSHS Denebola and Boston.com.