Lady Norsemen Looking For A Run

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

Second Half Finish

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

Cheer, Cheer for Old Newark High!

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

2nd Annual Alumni Night

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

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