Newton got the best of Charleston in their first meeting. It will be just one week since the Eagles beat up the Trojans by 16 points. If Charleston can get some revenge, it will come at the expense of the team’s tournament title hopes. Who will be victorious in round two?

Here’s a preview of tonight’s game. 

Team Records: Charleston (8-3) vs Newton (9-2)

Where: Teutopolis High School 

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at Teutopolis High School

School Size: Charleston (796), Newton (434)

Varsity Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m.

Opponent’s History: Head coach Troy Bierman enters his fourth season as the coach. Bierman owns an overall record of 41-46. Before Bierman, Doug Mammoser was the long-time coach that piled up 338 wins in two stints that lasted 21 years in total. Newton is a former member of the Apollo Conference that has since competed in the Little Illini. The team hasn’t won a Regional since 2000 and owns two winning seasons since 2014. 

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Newton’s Past Results: Newton opened the season with blowout wins over Dieterich and Cumberland. Then, the team narrowly beat Casey-Westfield 46-42. Their first loss was 48-43 to Salem. After that, the team beat Paris 55-48, Altamont 43-40, North Clary 59-52, and Flora 51-46. Their second loss came to St. Anthony 54-42, but the team rebounded with a 62-59 win over Robinson. Newton owns a 56-40 win over Charleston last week. 

Newton’s Top Players: Senior Mason Schafer leads the team with 14.0 points per game, while senior Evan Schafter adds 12.0 points per game.  Evan Schafer is a returning First-Team All-Little Illini Conference selection from last year’s 8-8 team. Senior Ben Meinhart was an Honorable-Mention LIC selection and leads the team in assists with 6.0 per game. Mason Schafer leads the team in rebounding with 8.0. 

Newton’s Team Stats: Newton is averaging 54.7 points per game and allowing 46.7 points per game. 

Charleston’s Past Results: In the first meeting with Newton, Charleston trailed 19-11 after the first quarter and 34-22 at halftime. Charleston won the third quarter 11-9, but Newton held the Trojans to seven fourth-quarter points to go on to win. Jaksen Braun matched his season average with 16 points to lead Charleston. William Applegate added 13 points, just below his 14.3 points per game.

Charleston’s Team Stats: Charleston is averaging 56.8 points per game and allowing 51.7 points per game.