The Newton High School girls’ basketball team were like the 1986 John Hughes movie, “Pretty in Pink.”
Wearing special pink uniforms with pink sox and pink shoelaces for breast cancer awareness, the Railers downed Derby 60-24 Friday at Ravenscroft Gym.
“Tonight’s game was more than just a basketball game,” Newton coach Randy Jordan said. “We wanted to raise awareness of breast cancer victims. We talked about how women fighting breast cancer, how courageous they are. I think our kids respect that courage. I think it meant a lot to the girls. Each one called a lady they knew who had it and told them they were dedicating the game to them.”
The Railers were one of several schools selected by Nike to wear the jerseys. Newton needed special permission from the Kansas State High School Activities Association after a recent rule change that stated the home team had to wear white. The team also sold T-shirts, sweatshirts and other items, which helped offset the cost of the uniforms.
“We’re going to keep those uniforms,” Jordan said. “I wouldn’t mind playing in them every night if we continue to play that way. We’ll probably play in them one more time this season.”
In the game, the Railers used a balanced attack.
“We got the looks we wanted,” Jordan said. “It was a great team effort. One of the things we wanted to do was use our depth and keep pushing the ball up the floor. We tried to get some good looks in transition before they set the zone up. Laci (McCartney) hit a nice three in transition when we reversed the ball to her. We did a lot of things well most of the night.”
Kate Lehman led the Railers with 19 points, 13 in the second half. McCartney and Avery Vogts each scored 11 points.
Newton improves to 10-4. The Railers entered the game ranked ninth in the Class 5A coaches poll. It was the second time this season Newton cracked the poll. The first time, Newton fell to Salina South the day after.
“Now that we’re ranked in the KBCA, we have a big target on our backs,” Jordan said. “We need to come out and play. We haven’t been ranked in probably two years. They practiced this week that way. They practiced with a lot of intensity. I kept telling them it’s easier to get to the top than to stay there. I feel like they’re getting that.”
