The Newton girls and boys basketball teams were swept in Little Hawkeye Conference play at Pella Friday night, as the girls lost 45-32 and the boys fell 72-51 in a doubleheader heard live on the KRLS3 stream at KNIAKRLS.com.

The Cardinal girls struggled offensively for the second straight game, while their defense kept improving. Newton only scored 20 points through the first three quarters before scoring twelve points in the last eight minutes of the game. Newton’s defense limited Pella to between ten and twelve points each quarter, which was a big improvement from giving up 75 points to the Dutch in their first meeting of the season. Alexis Garvis led the Cardinals with 11 points, and was the only Newton player in double figures. Cardinals head coach Jake Bennett says despite losing to Dallas Center-Grimes and Pella this week, the team has shown improvement, especially defensively.

“The first time we played DCG we lost by 50 points. We got that down to 19. The first time we played Pella it was 27. We got that down to 13. We are starting to see things pick up. Offensively we just need to see some shots go in and take care of the ball against the press.”

The Newton boys started slow and trailed Pella 19-8 after the first quarter. The Dutch grew their lead to 17 at halftime, and expanded it to 23 points by the end of the third period. Landon Bozarth was the only Cardinals player in double figures with 10 points. Newton head coach Jason Carter said it was one of those nights when shots wouldn’t fall and the team has to have a short memory of..

“Next week we have two games that are 50-50 games. We have got to forget about this one and make some adjustments, and show up next week.”

The Cardinals girls and boys basketball teams have the weekend off, before traveling to Pella Christian for another Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader on Tuesday.