MHSAA 2A Playoffs: Zia Shields drops 38 points to send Newton past Puckett

PUCKETT — Zia Shields knows what it’s like to be on the big stage. It was on full display Monday, especially in the second half. Shields poured in a game-high

PUCKETT — Zia Shields knows what it’s like to be on the big stage.

It was on full display Monday, especially in the second half. 

Shields poured in a game-high 38 points to lead Newton past Puckett 58-48 in the First Round of the Girls MHSAA Class 2A playoffs on Monday night.

The Lady Tigers (15-12) will travel to rival Heidelberg on Friday in the second round of the playoffs.

MORE: MHSAA Class 2A Girls Playoff Bracket

“We are always down at halftime because we miss a lot of free throws and I have a lot of young girls, so it took us a while to master the game plan,” said Newton Ty Harden. “Once we figured our game plan out defensively the problem with us was scoring, but tonight a senior leader stepped up.”

The game itself was close, but definitely a tale of two halves.

Puckett held a slim 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, the Lady Wolves went on a 15-5 run to extend their lead to 29-15, but Newton ended the first half on a 9-2 run to cut the Lady Wolves to eight points and trailed by 10, 32-24 at halftime.

Newton outscored Puckett 19-7 in the third quarter to take a 43-39 lead.

To begin the fourth quarter, the Lady Tigers went on a 7-3 run to extend lead to 50-43 and ended the game on a 8-5 run.

“We knew going in if we can get them frustrated as far as shooting, we would be alright,” Harden said. “Zia knows what it’s like to be in a championship culture, she’s won a state championship and we go as she goes .”

In the second half is when Shields found her rhythm as she scored 24 points in the second half. 

“I just had to trust my teammates and play defense and when I got the ball I knew I had to score,” Shields said. “Tonight we played as a team and that’s what got us the victory.”

Erin Ware added 10 points for the Lady Tigers.

Defensively, Newton only allowed Puckett 16 points in the second half.

“We’ve been solid defensive team all year,” Harden said. “I got a lot of young girls on this team that are afraid to shoot the ball, but will take pride in playing defense.”

Amirah Holbert had 14 points to lead Puckett. Rylee Rankin added 11 points for the Lady Wolves (26-4).

“They got after us defensively in the second half and we turned the ball over,” said Puckett coach Holly Moncrief. “Just wasn’t our night.”

Feature photo by Brandon Shields