Newman (New Orleans, La.) junior quarterback
Arch Manning, the nation's No. 1 football recruit from the Class of 2023, celebrated his first state title Saturday, albeit on the basketball court.
The Greenies (28-5) won their first state title since 1993 with a 56-47 Division III championship comeback win over Lafayette Christian Academy at the Cajundome behind juniors
Canin Jefferson and
Chris Lockett, who combined for 34 points.
Manning, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward and third-year letterman, came off the bench and didn't score Saturday but celebrated enthusiastically with teammates afterward. The Greenies lost 52-48 to Dunham (Baton Rouge) in the final last season.
On the gridiron, Newman was eliminated in the 3A semifinals the last two seasons by Lafayette Christian Academy, so it was a bit of revenge for Manning and the Greenies.
It was also a satisfying victory for Newman coach Randy Livingston, a former NBA player who was on the last Newman team to win a state title, the last of three consecutive crowns. Among Livingston's teammates were Manning's father Cooper and his uncle, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.
Watch the highlights above to see how Newman fought back from a fourth-quarter deficit to win going away. Jefferson led the way with 19 points and Lockett contributed 15.
Heading into the final week of the season, Jefferson (15.2) and Lockett (13.4) led the team in scoring. In 25 games before Saturday, Manning averaged 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
The 28 wins was the most by a Newman team since going 31-3 in 2012-13.
Canin Jefferson had 19 points in Newman's state championship win on Saturday.
File photo by Pete Wright
