Isidore Newman's outstanding shooting takes out Episcopal-Baton Rouge in Division III boys select semifinals
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA - Top-seeded Isidore Newman wanted to come out strong and take of business to get back to the Division III select state finals.
On the other side, No. 13 seed Episcopal-Baton Rouge has been breaking the bracket with consecutive upsets against Calvary Baptist and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Knights had a huge task to dethrone the defending two-time state champs, however.
The Greenies' experience and outstanding shooting proved to be too much in a 68-34 victory on Tuesday in the semifinal round at The Burton Complex.
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Newman (19-3) got on a hot start by knocking down six 3-pointers in the first quarter. Tayden Langdon knocked down four 3's; then Randy Livingston Jr. took his turn at the line by knocking down two treys.
The Greenies took a 24-9 lead.
Episcopal (22-16) tried to bounce back in the second quarter with consecutive layups by Lance Clark, Issac Alton and Terrence Callahan, cutting the lead to 26-17. The Greenies answered with Todd Jones getting three straight scores in the paint, including a two-handed slam, extending the lead to 20, 39-19, at the half.
Newman started to pull away with a huge third quarter by outscoring Episcopal, 23-8. Chris Cenac and Chris Birden got some strong dunks in the paint. Then the Greenies knocked down four more 3-pointers, including two by Birden to give Newman a commanding 64-27 lead.
Newman had five players scoring in double figures. Langdon led the Greenies with 15 points, including 5-for-7 3-pointers. Livingston finished with 13 points and seven assists.
Birden scored 11 points, four rebounds and two assists. Cenac scored 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Jones finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Isidore Newman defeated Episcopal-Baton Rouge in the Division III select semifinals March 5, 2024.
“We really played very well. It was really a combination of how we've been playing the last 12 games. The guys have done a tremendous job of sticking together and being good student-athletes,” said Newman coach Randy Livingston. “They have worked extremely hard of buying in.
"We have a great group of guys and at any given night, they can do anything.”
David McMains led Episcopal with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists. Clark finished with eight points and six rebounds.
“Since day one, we thought we had a championship level team. You don’t always end up winning the last game,” said Episcopal coach Ben Young. “I’m proud of my guys for the commitment level bought into this room."
Newman will have an opportunity to three-peat as state champions for the second time in school history and for the first time since 1991-1993. Coach Livingston led those Greenies to their first three-peat as a player.
The Greenies will take on No. 3 seeded University Lab in the Division III select championship game on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Burton Complex in Lake Charles.
-- Vashon Jones | @SBLiveLA
