Boys Basketball: Big second quarter powers Newman to semifinal win over Dunham

LAKE CHARLES – Isidore Newman is on a mission to win back to back state titles since 1991-1992 but the Greenies have returned to a place that brings back some bad memories.

In 2021, Newman lost to Dunham for Division III state title in Marsh Madness. Chris Lockett, Canin Jefferson and other fellow seniors remember that state title loss. They are motivated and determined to not have that empty feeling again.

The Greenies imposed their will on Dunham in a 63-41 victory Tuesday afternoon in the semifinals at the Burton Complex.

Newman (24-3) started slow out the gates while Elijah Haven and Braden Augustus knocked down a pair of three-pointers giving Dunham an early 8-5 lead. Lockett and Chris Leman answered with a pair of threes to give the Greenies the leadd, and Jefferson came up with a steal and layup extending the lead 14-10.

The Greenies turned up the heat and put their foot on the gas in the second quarter. Lockett and Jefferson scored off the dribble and from behind the arc. Newman outscored Dunham 16-2 in the quarter to take a 30-12 lead at the half.

“It feels good to be back in the championship game,” said Jefferson. “I try not to think of it as my last game. I try to focus on finishing out the right way on Friday by hearing the buzzer, hoisting up the trophy and going out with a bang.”

Newman picked up where they left off to start tge second half with a pair of three-pointers by Lockett and Law Agovino.

Dunham (20-9) tried to battle back, coming up with three-pointers by Brayden Rabalais and Mason Lavergne, who thenscored an outback layup to make it 38-23.

However, Newman coach Randy Livingston’s squad would not be denied.

The Greenies went to their bench to put the game out of reach. Sebastian Thrower and Jackson Williams hit long jumpers as Newman built a commanding 51-28 lead.

Newman had two players scoring in double figures led by the Boise State commitment Lockett, who scored 19 points and added two rebounds plus two assists. Jefferson finished with 18 points, eight assists and five steals. Leman came close to a double-double, notching nine points, nine rebounds and two assists.

“We have been a focused group. We did what we supposed to do,” said Newman Head Coach Randy Livingston. “When you’re the number one seed, you have to set the tone and you want to play well. We want to play our best on Friday and I’m very excited for this group. This is a special group of guys that set the bar high for Newman Basketball now and in the future.”

Lavergne led Dunham with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Haven finished with seven points and eight rebounds. AJ Olivier added seven points and two rebounds.

“We had a nice balance of veterans and youth. We knew that we would have a tough time today,” said Dunham Head Coach Chad Myers. “They were the reason why we didn’t play well. Nothing really shock us but I wanted us to give our best shot.”

Newman will face Calvary Baptist in the Division III Select State Finals at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon at Burton Complex.

MARSH MADNESS SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Semifinals
Monday
Division V select: No. 1 Avoyelles Charter 54, No. 4 JS Clark 36
Division V select: No. 2 Family Christian 46, No. 3 Rapides 38
Division III select: No. 3 Calvary Baptist 62, No. 10 Catholic-New Iberia 57
Division V non-select: No. 1 Zwolle 81, Gibsland-Coleman 72
Division V non-select: No. 2 Anacoco 63, No. 3 Fairview 49

Tuesday
Division III select: No. 1 Newman 63, No. 4 Dunham 41
Division IV non-select: No. 4 North Central 73, No. 1 East Feliciana 66
Division II non-select: No. 4 Bossier 48, No. 1 Wossman 42
Division IV non-select: No. 3 Franklin 42, No. 2 White Castle 38
Division II non-select: No. 3 Carroll 63, No. 2 Iowa 57

Wednesday
Division IV select: No. 1 Northwood-Lena (27-7) vs. No. 4 St. Martin’s Episcopal (21-9), 1:15 p.m.
Division I select: No. 1 Scotlandville (31-3) vs. No. 4 Huntington (24-8), 3 p.m.
Division III non-select: No. 1 Port Allen (27-4) vs. No. 4 Patterson (22-4), 4:45 p.m.
Division III non-select: No. 2 French Settlement (29-4) vs. No. 3 Winnfield (25-4), 6:15 p.m.
Division I select: No. 2 St. Thomas More (32-4) vs. No. 3 Catholic-BR (26-6), 8 p.m.

Thursday
Division IV select: No. 2 Lincoln Prep (23-4) vs. No. 3 Crescent City Christian (22-4), 1:15 p.m.
Division II select: No. 1 Madison Prep (31-2) vs. No. Archbishop Shaw (22-5), 3 p.m.
Division II select: No. 2 Peabody (25-6) vs. No. 6 G.W. Carver (22-10), 4:45 p.m.
Division I non-select: No. 2 Ruston (29-3) vs. No. 3 Ponchatoula (27-7), 6:15 p.m.
Division I non-select: No. 1 New Iberia (29-3) vs. No, 4 Walker (29-5), 8 p.m.

Finals
Friday
Division V select–Noon, No. 1 Avoyelles Charter vs. No. 2 Family Christian
Division III select: 2 p.m.—No. 1 Newman vs. No. 3 Calvary Baptist
Division IV non-select: 4 p.m.—No. 3 Franklin vs. No. 4 North Central
Division II non-select: 6 p.m.—No. 3 Carroll vs. No. 4 Bossier
Division V non-select: 8 p.m.—No. 1 Zwolle vs. No. 2 Anacoco

Saturday
Division IV select: noon
Division II select: 2 p.m.
Division III non-select: 4 p.m.
Division I select: 6 p.m.
Division I non-select: 8 p.m.