Newman’s Amazing Night Not Enough As Bombers Fall In Section Finals

Wes Vork-NSO

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Mar 11

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CROSBY- A once in a lifetime type of performance came up just short Friday night as the Barnum Bombers fall in overtime to the Sebeka Trojans in the Section 5A championship game by a score of 78-70. Jessica Newman had a night most players can only dream about, finishing with 42 points in the loss for the Bombers.

The Bombers opened up the first half with a 6-0 run to start the game and again had a 9-3 lead before Sebeka got on track and worked themselves into a lead of their own. The Trojans used their height advantage and their ability to drive to the basket with great success as they built a six point first half lead behind a balanced scoring attack.

Throughout the first half the Trojans controlled the play and flow of the game. The Bombers struggled, shooting from the outside and were kept in the game by Jessica Newman and her 17 point first half. The Bombers tied the game at 30 with under a minute to play in the first half, but a basket by Jessica Lillquist with 12 seconds remaining gave the Trojans the two point half time lead.

The Bombers came out strong in the second half and took control of the game. Newman continued her onslaught as she continued to lead the Bombers with her performance inside and out. Claudia Turner hit two big three pointers in the half and the Bombers dictated the tempo for most of the second half. With the Bomber leading by five points with less than three minutes to play, it was the Bombers making unforced errors down the stretch that allowed the Trojans to make the comeback and garner the victory.

Late in the game with Barnum still leading 66-65, a foul sent Newman to the line to hit two free throws and give Barnum the three point lead with 12 seconds remaining in the game. The Trojans came down quickly in the front court and with 8 seconds remaining a foul was called and Jasmine Titcomb went to the line to shoot the one and one. The Trojan sophomore guard then hit her first free throw to cut the lead to two points, her second was off the mark but a Trojan rebound and put back by Lillquist sent the game into overtime.

The Bombers seemed shocked as the over time session started and it was a 10-2 overtime performance which sealed the win for Sebeka and a trip to the Twin Cities for the state girls basketball tournament. “We didn’t take care of the Basketball down the stretch” Head Coach Randy Myhre told Northland Sports Online, “the miscues can’t happen when you play a great team like Sebeka.” Myhre added “I am proud of the girls, they worked so hard to get back to the state tournament; it’s unfortunate that one team had to lose.”

The night will be remembered by Barnum fans as a night that will go with the many memories of great basketball performances from years past. But a performance by Newman, her 42 points, her effort, and her desire was something this writer will never forget. “We wanted this one so bad” Jessica Newman told Northland Sports Online, “it’s not the way we wanted our season to end.” Newman also added “Sebeka is a great team, its sad one team had to lose, and I’m still as a loss.”

The Bombers finish their season with a 26-4 overall record, and they graduate only one senior in Jessica Newman. The Trojans improve to 21-6 overall and they advance to the state tournament where they will face Nicollet who defeated Martin Luther 42-40 Friday night in Mankato.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com