With a few team chants and a trophy celebration, Newman briefly rejoiced after winning the NEBL championship on Sunday after a 77-62 victory over Cushing. The title was certainly important, but the Cardinals know it’s just one step of a long journey towards their lofty goals this winter.
“I do think they understand this is a milestone,” coach Jackson Johnson said.
Last season, after capturing the NEPSAC Class AAA title in an epic, emotional overtime game, Newman ran out of gas in the national prep championship tournament, which takes place in the week right after the NEPSAC championships. Johnson didn’t think his group was fully ready to make a run last year. But that’s changed now, and this NEBL championship is an important marker in this year’s pursuit.
Exactly a month from now, Newman will hope to win another AAA championship and then make the quick turnaround for a national prep championship run, which requires four wins in three days. And this week could be something of a test run. The schedule of last week – Wednesday vs. CATS, then the NEBL playoffs on Saturday and Sunday – resembled the NEPSAC playoffs. Now, after winning the NEBL title on Sunday, Newman has to turn around and play St. Thomas More on Tuesday, which would mimic the turnaround from the Class AAA final to their first game of the national prep tournament.
