Bulldogs dominate Rebels at home to sweep season series

NEWBERRY — Newberry High School boys’ basketball got off to a good start in 2025 with a huge win over their rivals. The Bulldogs(6-8) defeated Mid-Carolina(2-9) 52-33 in part two of the rivalry series.

The first Friday of the new year started off with the longtime cross town rivalry between Mid-Carolina and Newberry. The gymnasium at Newberry High School was packed with fans on both sides and the Bulldogs put on a show for their home crowd.

The Bulldogs dominated from the opening tip-off and started the game on a 9-2 run. The backcourt combination of Kenton Caldwell and Gavin Brown combined for 13 of the team’s 16 points in the first quarter with both junior guards each knocking down a three-pointer. Caldwell had seven points and Brown had six points in the first quarter. Newberry led 16-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Things didn’t get much better for the Rebels in the second quarter. They only scored three points in the quarter and had a hard time stopping the Bulldogs’ offense.

Newberry took a 27-8 lead into halftime.

The third quarter wasn’t much better for the Rebels and the Bulldogs kept on rolling. Their lead grew to as many as 22 points in the quarter and the visiting Rebels had no answers. They tied their lowest point total of the season with just 33 points scored in the game.

Junior point guard Jay Gallman was the only Rebels’ player to score in double figures with 10 points.

Bulldogs’ junior forward AJ Jeter had 12 points. Jamel Hows had nine points along with Caldwell’s game high 15 points. It was a total team effort the Bulldogs, and they are beginning to click at the right time.

“It was a great team effort from everybody. We are 5-8, well 6-8 now, against a very tough non-conference team. It was a good win for our confidence and now we just need to be consistent,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Adonis Hill.

Remember, last year they didn’t lost a game until the second round of the playoffs. They are hoping to repeat the same thing this season, but ride it all the way to a state championship. Regardless of the second half of the outcome, the Bulldogs will have to rely heavy on their guard play. Senior guard CJ Earl went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return so that puts more pressure on players like Edrick Dawkins, Brown and Caldwell.

“Our guards definitely haven’t played to our expectations. More consistency, more ball movement and less turnovers. For awhile we were averaging 20 turnovers a game, but tonight it was much better. I think we only had 12 so if we can get the turnovers down and the assists up then I think we will be fine,” said Hill.

Newberry will hit the road on Tuesday, Jan. 7th to face Irmo. Meanwhile, Mid-Carolina will try to regroup against Strom Thurmond at home on Wednesday, Jan. 8th.