Sports Report November 26, 2024

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Football

On Friday night (11/22), the Greenies hosted the D’Arbonne Woods Charter School for the regional round of the state championship playoffs. The Timberwolves arrived after defeating the Metairie Park Country Day Cajuns last week in the first round, where the Greenies had a bye.

The Greenies struck fast on their second offensive play when quarterback Eli Friend hit George Loop for a 49-yard touchdown, and the Green Machine Defense did their part with a quick three and out. With the ball back, Friend methodically marched the Greenies down the field culminating in his own 1-yard rushing touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, the Timberwolves returner fumbled the ball and Malcolm Schairer recovered on the 35-yard line. Jake Randle capped off a quick drive with a 2-yard run for the touchdown making it 21-0 with 5:07 remaining in the first quarter.

The Timberwolves did manage to mount a short drive and a touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the first quarter to reduce the lead to two touchdowns. However, the Greenies quickly responded at the 11:50 mark in the second quarter with a 44-yard strike to receiver Collier Villere for another Newman score.

The Green Machine Defense again held fast, forcing a punt that was blocked and recovered by Justin Wells. With good field position, the Greenies capitalized when Randle rushed for an 8-yard touchdown. After another defensive stop Friend marshalled another drive to close out the first half with a 6-yard touchdown pass, making the halftime score Greenies 42, Timberwolves 7.

To start the second half, Ian O’Boyle recovered a fumble, giving the ball back to the starters for one last drive. Friend was able to find receiver Hendrix Hill for a 2-yard reception for his first touchdown of the night. With the score at 49-7 in the third quarter and running time instituted, the second team Greenies got their shot for the remainder of the game. The Timberwolves were able to get two touchdowns in the running time fourth quarter, missing both a 2-point attempt and a PAT kick, bringing the final score to 49-19.

The Green Machine Defense tamed the Timberwolves’ Wing-T offense with tackles for loss by Henry Jackson, Archie Casbarian, Schairer, Cole Cousin, and AJ Yunusah. The night of gang tackling was led by Brandon Favrot with seven and Jack “Goose” Falgoust with five assisted tackles on the night. Other big tackling contributors included Henry Cook, Calvin Drake, Corbert “Corvette” Parrino, Atticus Lafleur, Alex Dulitz, and John Lawrence.

Next up, the undefeated Greenies (9-0) host the Catholic High School of New Iberia (10-1) for the quarterfinal round of the playoff at home at Lupin Field on Friday (11/29) at 7pm. Please note: the Panthers travel strong so please arrive early in green and white as the stands will likely be crowded early. Tickets, required for all supporters due to LHSAA playoff rules, can be purchased here. It is do or die on Friday night, so please come out and support the Greenies as they continue marching toward the State Championship in the Superdome!

In the meantime, vote here for Eli Friend as the NOLA.com New Orleans area prep football player of the week for Week 12, and check out NOLA.com’s Newman sets tone quickly in regional-round rout here. Also watch Crescent City Sports’ Videos: Newman Coach Nelson Stewart Speaks at Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club here, and Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Scholar Athlete Spotlight: Eli Friend here. See you Friday!

Swimming

The swim team closed out its season with a very successful showing at the LHSAA Division III State Championship Swim Meet in Sulphur, Louisiana. The girls team placed 7th overall, matching their strong performance from last year, while the boys’ team improved to 10th overall, moving up two spots from last year’s 12th-place finish.

• In the 500 Yard Freestyle, Zhou placed 7th, and Norwood placed 9th, dropping 22 seconds off her best time.

• In the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, the team of Zoila Linares ’27, Xanna Higgins ’27, Helen Gong ’27, and Quinn Ogg ’28 placed 12th, dropping over 3 seconds off their best time.

• In the 100 Yard Breaststroke, Breaux placed 6th, moving up from an original seed of 12th, and Dasa placed 15th, dropping 4 seconds off her best time.

• In the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, the team of Breaux, Dasa, Zhou and Norwood placed 6th, dropping 4 seconds off their best time.

Boys Team Highlights:

• In the 200 Yard Medley Relay, the team of Nick Rezza ’25, Elias Hutchings ’25, Drew Sonnier ’25, and Turner Mazzanti ’26 placed 11th, moving up from an original seed of 16th place and dropping 5 seconds.

• In the 200 Yard Individual Medley, Elias Hutchings ’25 placed 8th, dropping 4 seconds, and Rezza placed 13th, achieving a personal record.

• In the 500 Yard Freestyle, Hutchings placed 9th, dropping 8 seconds, and Rezza placed 11th, dropping 5 seconds.

• In the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, the team of Rezza, Hutchings, Sonnier, and Mazzanti placed 7th, moving up from an original seed of 11th, dropping 13 seconds from their best time, and swimming under 4 minutes for the first time.

The team showed remarkable improvement across the board, with nearly every swimmer achieving personal bests in their events and every swimmer making it to the finals. Go Greenies!

—Nick Rezza, Green N White Club Sports Reporter

Girls Basketball

The girls varsity basketball team have started the season by playing two close games full of excitement and potential, but which ultimately did not end the way the team had hoped.

On Tuesday (11/19), the varsity team played an away game against Pearl River High School and lost a close one, 43-46. Junior Madison Williams led the team with 11 points, including two three-pointers. Eighth grader Piper Christian scored 10 points and junior Jessica Taranto added nine points. Buckets were also scored by seniors Stella Joyce and Audrey Bagot, juniors Amari Jones and Sophia Mills, and sophomore Dawson Wells.

On Thursday (11/21), the varsity team played their first home game, against Northlake Christian School. Newman started in the lead, but then the Wolverines pulled ahead. Newman closed the gap to 50-51 with only twelve seconds left in the game. That was just enough time for the Greenies to get off two promising shots before the buzzer, but unfortunately, both attempts missed. Nevertheless, the game was full of impressive plays and great shots!

Against the Wolverines, Williams scored an impressive 25 points, highlighted by five three-pointers. Senior Kasia Wells and Christian each knocked in eight points, with Joyce adding six of her own.

Juniors Maggie Richardson and Mills also make their mark on the scoreboard. Full highlights of the game are here.

The girls JV team played its first game of the season on Tuesday (11/19) against Pearl River and emerged victorious, winning 22-16. Christian led the squad with nine points, including a trey, and Dawson Wells contributed seven points. Sophomores Brooke Westley and Allie Davison and freshman Breigha Leal also found the net in the win.

In the days before Thanksgiving this week, the varsity basketball team is playing in a tournament at The Dunham School in Baton Rouge. The next home game is on Tuesday, December 3, at 6pm in the Palaestra.

Boys Soccer

Three games into the season, and the varsity boys are undefeated and doing quite well, with victories over Fisher Middle/High School, 12-0; Morris Jeff Community School, 7-1; and International High School, 8-0. Clearly, the boys are going strong. Strong discipline and composure are paying dividends, as they faced some strong players who excelled on the pitch, but their squads lacked what it took to truly challenge the Greenies for the full game.

The match against Fisher was over at halftime due to the maximum eight-goal differential rule, but the Morris Jeff side proved to be a real test. Frustrated by Newman’s disciplined squad after the Greenies’ third goal, the Pelicans lost their cool, resulting in a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct and risking further sanction by failing to immediately play down a man. To their credit, the Newman boys held their composure and exhibited Newman's core values, as Head Coach Tooraj Badie pointed out in his Sunday message, and all should be proud of how they performed as both players and men throughout the game.

The stand-out goal against Morris Jeff was a 24-yard screamer that never arched, and Greenies supporters all hope to see even more of them in the days, weeks, and months ahead. It was beautiful. A nice word about International: the Panthers goalie was exceptional, with 30+ strikes on target, he made save after save and allowed only eight goals. Anyone who knows the game would appreciate the young man's tireless work, and players, coaches, and Greenie fans were impressed.

Concerns going ahead are primarily in defensive transitions, and this area is one in which Coach Badie is specifically focused. A home district match tomorrow (11/27) against Jefferson RISE Charter School will be the next opportunity to test the boys, but they are also looking forward to Saturday’s challenge (11/30) from the visiting Vandebilt Catholic High School boys, known for their strong, physical and disciplined style of play.

So, tomorrow, as your turkey is getting ready to burn, come out for an exciting game against Jefferson RISE at 7pm. Then, again on Saturday, come support your varsity soccer team against Vandebilt and see our young men fight in their campaign to win State. Tickets are available here. This team is a strong one, and this year could very well be on in which they hoist the championship trophy.

Girls Soccer 

Last week, the girls soccer season got underway at home against Lycée Français de La Nouvelle-Orléans. Coach Doug Freese was able to get his full roster of players, varsity and junior varsity, playing time as the Greenies won at halftime by a score of 8–0. Goals were scored by Alyse Dulitz (2), Lili Arjmand, Lily Dravid, Catherine Lapeyre, Ann Schonberg, Mignon Ogden, and Amelia Claverie.

This afternoon, the girls will head to Baton Rouge for an early season showdown against St. Michael the Archangel High School (D-3). Play hard, Greenies!

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball is off to a fast start, with a 53-41 opening win against Patterson High School on the road and a 66-36 victory at home against Eleanor McMain Secondary School last weekend, recapped on Crescent City Sports here. On Friday, the boys will take on East St. John High School in a tournament hosted by St. Augustine High School. Go Newman!

Upcoming Schedule

See the latest Newman sports schedule here and purchase individual home game tickets here. Thank you for supporting Newman athletics, its teams, players, coaches, and administration.