Newman defense stifles Le-Win in Warkins semi

ERIE – Newman and Lena-Winslow both suited up championship football teams this past fall.

The Comets left no doubt who has the better basketball team between the schools, however, after a 49-35 victory against the Panthers on Saturday night in a Warkins Memorial Classic semifinal. Newman, the Class 2A football champs, also handled Le-Win, the 1A winners, earlier this month in the Forreston Tournament semifinals.

Stifling defense was the key in Erie. The Panthers were a mere 15-for-37 from the field against the Comets’ signature 1-3-1 zone trapping defense, and committed 16 turnovers. Newman coach Ray Sharp was also able to deploy a second unit that played a hounding man-to-man style that was effective in the final minutes of the second and third quarters.

“That was our best defensive effort of the year,” Sharp said. “They’re a quality team that’s got a couple of shooters, some guys that can get to the rim, and some post players. We were concerned about them offensively, and defensively, that was our best night of the year. It starts with playing hard, having some pride, and getting some rebounds.”

Sophomore forward Marcus Williams, the point man on the zone trap, was also pleased with the D.

“We definitely came out with a lot of energy on the defensive side,” Williams said. “We know we can do a lot on the offensive side, but defensively, we’ve been working hard in practice, and it showed tonight.”

Lena-Winslow (9-3) did jump out to a 9-2 lead in the first 2½ minutes, capped by a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Luke Benson, but it was all Newman after that. The Comets pulled within 15-13 by the end of the first quarter, then held the Panthers to just three baskets, all 2s, and seven total points in the middle two quarters to seize control.

“I thought Newman answered our run,” Le-Win coach Kyle Benson said. “We had a great start, obviously, about as good as you could have asked for, but I think we poked the bear a little bit. They answered our run, and we never really answered their run. I thought for the rest of the game they had the momentum, and we were never really able to get it back, in large part because they were doing some really nice things. They were more aggressive than we were the last 3½ quarters of the game. They never let us get back in it.”

Newman (12-2) showed it can be versatile offensively. Normally effective from long distance, it was just 4-for-18 from 3-point range, but had great success in pounding the ball inside to senior center Devon House (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Williams (16 points, 8 boards). It also helped the Comets get to the line 26 times, with Williams (8-for-13) attempting half of those.

“We did a nice job of getting the ball inside to our posts,” Sharp said. “We missed a lot of bunnies, but they’re a good team with good defense, so they’re making those shots hard. That helped us get to the foul line, by getting the ball inside.”

Le-Win was within 26-20 after a bucket from Sean Ormiston with 6:25 left in the third quarter. The Comets responded with a 3 by Jake Ackman off a nifty inbounds play, and were off to the races. Newman went on a 13-2 run, capped by a free throw from House with 6:09 left in the fourth quarter to make it 39-22.

The Panthers scored a quick five points on a bucket from Ormiston and a three-point play by Isaiah Bruce, only to have the Comets rattle off six points, capped by a layup by Williams, to put the game on ice.

Ormiston and Luke Benson each had eight points for Lena-Winslow, and Bruce chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.

Boys basketball

Warkins Memorial Classic semifinal

Newman 49, Lena-Winslow 35

Star of the game: Devon House, Newman, 17 points, 11 rebounds

Key performers: Marcus Williams, Newman, 16 points, 8 rebounds; Isaiah Bruce, Le-Win, 7 points, 8 rebounds

Up next: Warkins Classic championship game, Newman vs. Erie-Prophetstown, 7:30 p.m. Monday