Newman reaches 1,000 points in Falcon win / Boys basketball

Picking up some team and individual glory along the way, the South Whidbey High School boys basketball team whipped visiting Coupeville 72-40 Tuesday, Jan. 29.

On the team front, the Falcons finished a regular-season sweep of their biggest rivals, assured themselves of no worse than third in the final North Sound Conference standings and earned a win on Senior Night.

Individual honors went to Kody Newman, who poured in 32 points, giving him 1,001 for his career.

The Falcons (6-3, 13-6) complete the regular season at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, with a trip to first-place King’s (9-0, 14-4).

The district tournament begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4. South Whidbey will most likely be the league’s No. 3 seed and will play at the Northwest Conference’s No. 2 seed, either Meridian (9-11) or Mount Baker (6-13).

South Whidbey 72, Coupeville 40

South Whidbey honored its two seniors, Newman and Brock Gray, before the game, then Newman put on a show in his final contest at the Falcons’ Nest.

Gray, who got his first start, celebrated his last home game by draining a three-pointer in the fourth quarter.

Newman reached his milestone with a long three-pointer from the top of the key with 2:34 left in the fourth quarter.

South Whidbey coach Mike Washington said he was hesitant leaving Newman in the game with such a large lead, but he wanted Newman to be able break the 1,000-point barrier in front of his family and friends.

“At the start of the season, it was definitely a goal to reach 1,000 points,” Newman said. “My teammates did a good job passing up shots tonight; they were unselfish. They have done a good job all season looking for me.”

Newman piled up his points Tuesday by knocking down four three-pointers and attacking the rim. His aggressive play sent him to the foul line often, resulting in a 14-for-14 night from the stripe.

Newman pumped in 9 points in the first quarter and Nick Young added a three-ball, pushing the Falcons to an 18-9 lead.

Coupeville got to within 8 in the second quarter, 22-14, then behind 9 more points from Newman and four free throws from Levi Buck, the Falcons finished the half on a 15-3 run to go up 37-17.

Newman, Young and Dexter Jokinen all hit shots from long range in the third quarter as South Whidbey extended its advantage to 51-29.

Newman topped off his evening with 11 fourth-quarter points, Gray chipped in with his three and Brady Hezel added 3 points as South Whidbey continued to roll in the final period.

Young finished with 12 points, Buck 8, Jokinen 5, Kole Nelson 5, Gray 3, Hezel 3 and Luke Rookstool 2.

Newman also recorded 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Buck collected 13 boards.

Kody Newman hits a short jumper on the way to scoring 32 points.(Photo by Jim Waller/ South Whidbey Record)

Kody Newman hits a short jumper on the way to scoring 32 points. (Photo by Jim Waller/ South Whidbey Record)

Levi Buck shoots over the defense of Coupeville Jakobi Pilgrim. (Photo by Jim Waller/ South Whidbey Record)

Levi Buck shoots over the defense of Coupeville Jakobi Pilgrim. (Photo by Jim Waller/ South Whidbey Record)

Nick Young goes to the hoop over Coupeville’s Sean Toomey-Stout.(Photo by Jim Waller/ South Whidbey Record)

Nick Young goes to the hoop over Coupeville’s Sean Toomey-Stout. (Photo by Jim Waller/ South Whidbey Record)