Norsemen Advance to Sectional Championship

Congratulations to the Newark Norsemen Basketball Team for your 61-51 Sectional Semifinal victory against Chicago Hope Academy! The Norsemen have now advanced to the Sectional Championship to be held on Saturday, March 2nd, (please note date change) 7:30 p.m. vs Deerfield Chicagoland Jewish at Mooseheart. Doors at Mooseheart open at 6:30PM, fan bus will leave NCHS at 6:00PM.

Boys' Sectional Game Postponed

The Sectional Game scheduled for tonight 2/26 at Mooseheart has been postponed until tomorrow evening, 2/27 at 6:00PM. Fan bus will leave at 4:30PM.

Regional Champions!

Congratulations to the Newark Norsemen Basketball Team for your 61-46 Regional Victory against Crete Illinois Lutheran! The Norsemen have now advanced to Sectional Semifinals to be held on Tuesday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. vs. Chicago Hope Academy at Mooseheart. Go Newark!

Boys Basketball

The Norsemen continued their strong conference play as they took on Leland-Earlville on January 15th. Coach Tollefson said, “I felt like it was a slow game. We didn’t seem like we were playing well at all. Then I looked up at the score board, and we were winning by 30.” The team rode that wave of momentum into their matchup with Kirkland Hiawatha. The Norsemen had a very exciting game, winning by a score of 100-35. However, the varsity players did not achieve this on their own but received aid from JV players. After the starters were taken out with three minutes to play in the third quarter, the reserves stepped up and scored the final 30 points in the ball game.

A week later the Norsemen began Little Ten Conference Tournament play against the Huskers of Serena. After a mere eight-point victory over the Huskers in early January, the Norsemen were ready for a big win. After a slow first half, the Norsemen picked up the pace. Two early third-quarter three-pointers by Joe Hughes and Grant Riehle-Moeller gave Newark a double-digit advantage, and they never looked back. The win advanced the Norsemen to the semifinals where they faced the Indian Creek Timberwolves. The score was neck and neck down to the wire. Freshman center Jack Clausel followed up a missed three-pointer with a layup at the buzzer to force play into overtime. However, the Norsemen were not able to hold off a late run by the Timberwolves, and lost by one point. The Norsemen looked for revenge in the third place game, but once again fell short, this time at the hand of the Paw Paw Bulldogs.

The Norsemen were able to bounce back after these losses with a big win at Streator-Woodland. They overcame the rough physical play to come out with a 20-point victory. However, in that contest the team was dealt a blow when junior guard Grant Riehle-Moeller suffered a concussion, his second of the season. The Norsemen continued conference play with a commanding 36-point victory over LaMoille. The team then traveled to Riverton High School for their annual Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout. The team was matched up with Athens High School. They produced one of their most stellar games of the season, winning 62-45. Freshman Jack Clausel won the “Outstanding Player of the Game” award.

By Brett Anderson

Lasting Memories

Going into the post-season ranked seventh in the state, the Lady Norsemen were feeling confident with a record of 26-1. The Ladies then defeated LaMoille-Ohio in the first regional game and finally earned the regional title since 2009 by beating Serena in the championship game. The team was ecstatic about the win but knew the road ahead of them would be a challenge. Annawan, ranked second in state, was their match-up for the first sectional game. The Lady Norsemen came up short against a dominating Annawan team and ended their season with a 28-2 record. Despite the upsetting loss, the Lady Norsemen set a couple schools records they can hang their hats on. The girls now hold the record for most consecutive wins in girls’ basketball history at NHS. The previous record of 19 consecutive wins was held by the 2008-2009 Lady Norsemen, and this year’s team surpassed it with 23. The 2012-2013 Lady Norsemen also achieved the best win/loss record in girl’s basketball history at NHS. The seniors all hoped for a better ending but are still proud of their accomplishments and know they have created lasting memories.

By Lauren Tollefson

Lady Norsemen Named to All-Conference Team

Congratulations to Taylor Krug and Lauren Tollefson for being named to the LTC All-Conference Team. Both were unanimous selections.

Also congrats to Taylor Krug, Lauren Tollefson, Melissa Schmidt and Abby Akre for being selected to the LTC All-Star Team. Kayla Milakis was chosen as an alternate.

Record-Setting Season for the Lady Norsemen

The 2013 Newark Lady Norsemen Basketball Team achieved new heights by becoming the first Girls' Basketball Team in School History to set records of 28 overall wins, 23 consecutive victories and fewest losses, with only two.

Newark's 28-2 season came to a close on Monday, February 11th against Annawan High School (46-21) during Sectional Semifinals.

The 2013 Newark Lady Norsemen had many accomplishments including Regional Champions, First Place at the Little Ten Conference Tournament, perfect run through the Conference (8-0 LTC), Lisle Tournament Champions and Somonauk Breakout Tournament Champions.



The team will greatly miss seniors Abbey Akre, Taylor Krug, Melissa McNanna, Kayla Milakis, Melissa Schmidt and Lauren Tollefson during the 13-14 Basketball Season.



Congratulations to our Lady Norsemen on a outstanding season! We are very proud of your accomplishments. Thanks for all the memories this season and good luck in your future!

Regional Champions!

Congratulations to the Newark Lady Norsemen Basketball Team for your 49-36 Regional Victory against the Serena Huskers! The Lady Norsemen have now advanced to Sectional Semifinals to be held on Monday, February 11, 7:30 p.m. vs. Annawan at Oglesby (Illinois Valley Community College). Also congrats to Alicia Cihak on advancing to the Three-Point Showdown! Go Newark!