Something about the Jesuit Invitational Tournament seems to bring out the best in the Newman and Northshore boys basketball teams.
The Greenies and Panthers have reached the JIT finals for two consecutive seasons. Last year’s meeting served as a precursor to each team ultimately advancing to state finals.
Might history likewise repeat?
Newman looked every bit the part of the reigning Division III state champions in defending its tournament championship Saturday with a 73-47 victory against the reigning Class 5A state runner-up at Jesuit’s Benson Arena.
Guard Canin Jefferson scored a game-high 19 points, forward Chris Birden had 14, guard Chris Lockett totaled 11 and forward Todd Jones had 10 with 10 rebounds and a blocked shot to pace the undefeated Greenies.
Newman (7-0) did not trail and outscored Northshore (5-1) in each quarter by margins of 13-9, 16-8, 16-13 and 28-17 while outrebounding the Panthers, 34-23, and forcing 21 turnovers while committing 13.
The Greenies also played minus one of their top players, forward Chris Leman, a three-year starter who has missed a week with knee tendinitis, but is expected back for next week’s Newman Invitational scheduled for Dec. 8-10.
“We didn’t play as well in this tournament as I would have liked,’’ Newman coach Randy Livingston said. “We were sluggish, I thought. But we got some experience for our young sophomores. We’ve got a lot of talent. I think they just get bored sometimes.’’
Guard Kohen Rowbatham hit two 3-pointers among his six field goals in scoring 14 points to pace Northshore, which also got 11 from guard Tyrell Yates. Yates also pulled down eight rebounds.
“We came in wanting to minimize our turnovers and minimize their possessions and we weren’t very effective at doing that,’’ Northshore coach Josh Carlin, who directed the Panthers to the 5A state finals last season in his first year. “Some of that was on us and some of that was due to them. But it was a good test early in the season. Hopefully, we’ll get better from this.’’
Jefferson, a 6-foot-2 senior, scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half while Birden and Jones combined for 11 points as the Greenies established a 29-17 halftime lead. The Greenies opened the fourth quarter with a 14-2 run that expanded a 45-30 advantage following three periods to 27 points. Newman led by 27 three times in the final eight minutes.
Newman defeated St. Paul’s, 81-50, to open the six-team tournament that was divided into two pools and then edged Shaw, 53-47 to advance to the final while Northshore defeated De La Salle, 61-41, and host Jesuit, 45-33, to reach the four-day tournament’s championship.
“I think we’re in better shape than other teams,’’ Livingston said. “I think after a while other teams wear down and I think fatigue sets in. I think it’s going to be a special season, and we’re looking forward to it.’’