Getting Off to a Hot Start

The Newark girls basketball team began its season on a good path to greatness. The girls started off their season at the Somonauk Breakout Tournament. They finished the tournament going 2-2, with losses to Plano and Wheaton Academy.

At Somonauk, the Lady Norseman team was lead by returning seniors, Kelsea Zitt and Megan DiClementi. Megan improved her outside game this season by hitting a lot of threes. “Coach Scott as a new coach is doing a great job. She allows us to reach goals as a team and manages games very well,” said senior Maddie Friestad.

The Lady Norsemen recently played Dwight and played very good defense, which added to tons of scoring. Getting junior Jasmine Mitchell back after she missed a few games in the Somonauk Breakout Tournament really helped the Norsemen roll over Dwight. They have been getting some help from their young guards, sophomores, Alyssa Schofield and Riane Tomsa. The girls are really looking forward to the Lisle Christmas Classic and hope to get some W’s.

By Dylan Patrick

Strong Start

The Newark boys basketball team began their season on a good note at the Leland G. Strombom Tournament in Sycamore. The Norsemen played four games during the Thanksgiving break finishing with a 3-1 record. The loss came to the hands of the J-Hawks of Rockford Jefferson in a tough two-point overtime defeat.

In Sycamore, the Norsemen saw production from many players including 14.2 points per game from senior Jack Clausel and 13.2 ppg from junior Cameron Myre. After a shaky first game, the backcourt of juniors Steve McGrath and Will Clausel, kept their turnover numbers low and managed the game. Seniors Evan Schomer and Jack Clausel have led the team effort on controlling the rebounding effort both on the offensive and defensive glass.

When asked how the first tournament went, Evan Schomer said, “It went good, especially as a small school. We played at a high level.” The Norsemen were the only 1A team at the Strombom tournament which was filled with 3A and 4A teams. A 3rd place finish is considered a success for the Norsemen, even though they feel that they could’ve won it.

“We really feel like we were capable of playing in the championship game,” Coach Rick Tollefson said in regards to the team’s finish at the tournament. The Norsemen look to carry this momentum into the month of December and the Plano Christmas Classic.

You can keep up with the Norsemen by visiting www.norsemenbasketball.com, which is packed with news, stats, photos, videos, and even live stream of games. Check it out!

By Will Clausel

Cheer for the New Year

Basketball is now in full swing, and with it comes NHS cheerleaders. This year’s cheerleading team consists of both new girls and returning girls.

The girls are Coach Miranda Linco; seniors Savanna Flowers, Mackenzie Fletcher, and Missy Friestad; juniors Autumn Bolte, Kylie Eike, and Skye Isenogle; sophomores Maggie Komes, Bailee O’Toole, Nikki Kala, and Lexie Pagel; freshmen Taryn Borcky, Gayle Walker, Lyndsay Larsen, Natalia Elizalde, and Kara Renz.

This year, as a fundraiser, the girls organized a Newark Kids Cheer Camp. Younger children below high school age were able to come cheer and dance with the girls during halftime of the December 11 basketball game. More details and information about the Kids Camp will be included in the February news article.

This Thanksgiving, Coach Miranda got engaged! She says, “It was the most perfect moment of my life. And most importantly most of our family was there to help us celebrate for the rest of the day! Can't wait for the exciting memories to come, celebrating with each other & our friends and family.”

Come help the cheerleaders support our boys at the upcoming home games:

• Saturday, January 9 @ 5
• Friday, January 15 @ 5:30
• Friday, February 12 @ 5:30
• Friday, February 19 @ 5:30

By Skye Isenogle

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team continues their path to state, as they finished off their first games of the year in the Sycamore Tournament. They will begin their first exhibition game at Leland Earlville, on December 4. Coming off the holiday break, they continue their path with the same goal as when the season started, getting to the state game.

As Christmas approaches so does one of the most fun tournaments of the year. The Christmas Classic, hosted by Plano High School, will begin on December 22. Coming off an 11th place finish at the classic last year, the team set high expectations coming into the tournament this year.

"It’s the best time of the year," said senior forward Kendall Endres. Come on out to support the boys as they play in one of the biggest tournaments of the season!

By Evan Schomer

Girls Basketball Ready to Roll

The Newark Lady Norsemen began this season at the Somonauk Breakout Tournament at Somonauk High School starting on November 16. This marked the beginning of the Barb Scott era, as they were her first games as the varsity head coach.

The Lady Norsemen have only five upperclassmen this year that they will rely heavily on. "We have a solid group of upperclassmen with Megan, Kelsea, Morgan, Maddie, and Jasmine. I am excited about the leadership and work ethic they bring to the team," Coach Scott said.

Coach Scott also expressed her excitement for the group of underclassmen who will try to fill in some depth at the varsity level: "We have a great group of 12 underclassmen that are working very hard and will contribute to the team in positive ways."

The upperclassmen on this year’s squad are looking forward to the challenge of leading this young team. Senior forward Morgan Myre expressed this by saying, "With there only being us five upperclassmen, we are looking forward to leading the team and helping some of the underclassmen out during their adjustment to the Varsity level."

By Will Clausel

Newark Cheer KID'S Camp

Introducing Newark Cheer Kid’s Camp! Ages 5-13 welcome! Practices held Dec. 7 & 9 5:30-7 p.m. $25 Per Child T-shirt included! Performance will take place Dec. 11th during the varsity half time. Download the flyer and registration form here: http://www.nchs18.org/pdf/KidsCampRegistrationForm.pdf

NCHS Booster News

Spirit wear t-shirts and hoodies will be on sale at our home basketball games.

Senior Nights:
o Girls'Basketball January 25th
o Boys Basketball & Cheerleaders - Feb 19th
(Notes with more information will be sent home with each player closer to time.)

• "I have a need for Beads" will be for sale at games also. See Sandy McGrath.

Booster officers:
o Jana Eike – President
o Sandy McGrath - Vice-President
o Chris Nelson –Treasurer
o Lisa Jacobson – Secretary

Upcoming Events:
• January 30 - Alumni Night @ Newark High School
• March - Trivia Night @ Newark American Legion

Booster Meetings Dates for 2nd Semester:
o Jan. 4 @ 4:30 p.m.
o Feb. 8 @ 4:30 p.m.
o March 7 @ 4:30 p.m.
o April 4 @ 4:30 p.m.