Congratulations to the Newark Norsemen basketball team for your 56-49 Sectional Semifinal Victory against Ottawa Marquette! The Norsemen will now advance to the Sectional Championship game to be held on Friday, March 4th, 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa-Marquette (Game played at 201 Chicago St., Marseilles) vs. Flanagan (F.-Cornell). Tickets sales on Thursday from 9-3 for the public. All Tickets $5.00. T-Shirts $10. Go Norsemen!
Softball season is right around the corner! Are you ready for sunflower seeds, uniform tan lines, and warm Saturday games? The softball team sure is!
During the month of February, the team has been having open gyms every Wednesday night and plans to do so up until the first practice. The practice schedule begins on March 1.
The first game for the Newark softball team is on March 21 and is away at IMSA starting at 4:30. The next, and last game for the month of March is the 22nd. The game is home against Aurora Central Catholic and will also be starting at 4:30.
This year, the softball team consists of six seniors, one junior, seven sophomores, and three freshmen. Senior Kelsea Zitt is most excited for Saturday double headers with a cookout in between games. Senior Delaney Drew stated that the team can’t wait to begin practice to work together as a team and to have a great overall season.
By Shelby Hoddy
The boys basketball team has now entered the end of their regular season, coming off a conference tournament championship for the second consecutive year. They defeated Indian Creek 63-50 in the championship game.
The Norsemen now will finish their season playing three more games before entering regionals in Serena. Depending how regionals go, the Norsemen would then play in the sectional taking place at Marseilles Grade School. The season extends into early March where the state tournament would be held at Carver Arena in Peoria.
“We are all real excited and looking forward to what we can be capable of doing,” said senior forward Jack Clausel. Newark has recently been given an AP ranking of 6 in the state and hope for a big run to come with the post season approaching. Go Norsemen!
By Evan Schomer
This year the Newark Cheerleading team was not just a team. Sophomore Nikki Kala says, “It feels more like family.”
The bond of thirteen girls has grown over the past few months. Senior Savanna Flowers says, “We have a team full of girls who can learn quick and nail a dance.”
They have been working together since November and come a long way. At the beginning of the season the girls hosted a camp for younger girls and cheered at the boys games.
Toward the end of the season the girls have began working on multiple dances. The squad performed their dance at senior night on February 19.
Marissa Friestad said, “We bring a lot of energy and encouragement to the game. The basketball and cheerleading team feed off one another.”
The cheerleaders have had a fun season full of exciting wins, and memories to last a lifetime.
By Maddie Friestad
The Lady Norsemen are coming off a good finish at the Lisle Christmas tournament with a 4th place trophy. The Lady Norsemen are looking for a little run to cap off the conference tournament. After asked, “Why this team would make it farther than any other team in the conference”, Coach Scott said, “Our team is very unselfish and they distribute the ball really well. They play extremely hard and are determined to improve and play for a conference championship!”
The next few games are very important to the Lady Norsemen as they enter the conference tournament. As a first year coach, Coach Scott has some big plans for this team. When asked, “What's your favorite thing about coaching this group of girls”, She answered, “ These girls are so much fun to coach and they always come ready to play and work hard! We have had some great team kickboxing workouts, too!”
The Lady Norsemen are approaching the conference tournament that will be starting on January 18. Coach said, “We are looking forward to playing both Indian Creek and Serena at the conference tournament and then again at the end of their regular season”. Hopefully the Lady Norsemen can make a little run as they're heading towards the end of the season!
By Dylan Patrick
Newark’s boys team is coming off of a great Christmas tournament, losing only one game to the La Salle-Peru Cavaliers who later went on to win the tournament. Newark ended up beating Burlington-Central in the third place game after coming back from a large deficit in the first quarter. Jack and Will Clausel both received all tournament nominations after their stellar play in the tournament.
The boys will continue with their first home game in the new month taking place on February 12, when they take on the Bobcats of Somonauk. The conference tournament will be starting on February 1-4 (rankings to be determined). The boys are coming off their best record since the 2011 state championship team with a record of 18-2.
With the season starting to wind down, come on out and support your boys as they attempt to make history!
By Evan Schomer
The Newark Cheer Squad is going strong this season with a few months under their belt. They have cheered at the boys basketball games, hosted a cheer camp, and had many team bonding activities. They have had a Secret Santa draw and Christmas party.
The cheer squad has shared a great deal of fun times already, but still have more planned. The 12-woman squad has been practicing hard for upcoming dances and post-season cheering.
There is still a month ahead of the cheer team. They plan to continue having team bonding activities along with supporting the boys’ basketball team.
In February there are two home games and five away games. Newark is playing in the conference tournament at Somonauk starting on February 1. Senior night is on February 19.
They will be saying goodbye to three seniors: Savanna Flowers, Mackenzie Fletcher, and Marissa Friestad. Senior Captain Savanna Flowers says, “We have a great group of girls. We all love to have fun and bring some school spirit into the games.”
By Maddie Friestad
On January 30, Newark High School Sports Boosters will be hosting the 2nd annual Alumni Night. Alumni Night is a night of basketball at Newark for players from the girls and boys basketball programs. Newark has always had a rich tradition in both programs and it’s a good way to get some old faces back to NCHS.
The Boosters are coordinating with alumni Matt Akre and Brian Hatteberg to help organize and run this year’s event. Matt and Brian have worked on reaching out to the alumni and organize who all is attending. These two were both very involved in the event last year as well.
Last year was a great success as about 40 alumni came back to Newark for a night of hoops. When asked about the expected turnout for this year, Matt Akre said, “We are expecting a similar number of players this year. The majority last year were from the men’s side, so we’re hoping for a better turnout from the women’s side this year.” Matt also stressed how important it was to bring back the alumni “It is important to recognize the athletes that have helped make Newark into the program it is today.”
Alumni Night brings back former players to play on their old home court. For some, it is a chance to relive their high school days as members of the Newark Basketball program. When asked what he missed most about his high school playing days, Matt responded, “The overall team element. When you are practicing and working together to achieve something, it feels very special when you actually have success. I miss the importance of every practice and game.”
Overall Alumni Night is a great way to bring the Newark basketball alumni back to keep the rich tradition alive and allow them to get back to the floor that holds some great memories.
By Will Clausel