By Score Atlanta
Class AAAAAA fourth-seeded Newton pulled off a stunning upset Wednesday night, beating Tift County 52-49 in the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs. Newton led 24-18 at half and was cruising in the second half before Tift went on a 20-15 run in the final quarter. Tift, the second-ranked team in the state, trailed 50-48 when Newton turned it over with 23.8 second left, stepping out of bounds after an inbounds pass. Preston Horne was then fouled but hit only one of two free throws. D.J. Hill would then hit both free throws for Newton and Tyrie Jackson's three-point shot as time expired for Tift bounced off the rim. Newton was led by J.D. Notae with 22 points. Four Newton players added six points: D.J. Hill, Jaquan Simms, Malik Wilson and Donovan Grubb. Tift finishes the season at 26-2. Newton came into the game at 20-7 but had finished 6-7 in Region 2 and will visit No. 2 seed Dacula out of Region 8 in Saturday's second round.
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