Cardinals de-feather Falcons
~January 18, 2008~Boys
By George Kaupp

Photo by Jim Marczesky Cardinal Newman's Zach Hrovat guards Ben Lippen's Mitchell Deter. Deter led all scorers with 22 points.

Friday, January 18 was the annual Coming Home celebration for Cardinal Newman. As an added bonus, they welcomed home their former coach Wayne Earhardt, now the coach at Ben Lippen. But the Cardinals proved to be rude hosts, pulling away for a 71- 43 win.

The game started in the Cardinals' favor, with Ben Lippen committing six fouls to Cardinal Newman's one in the first quarter. The Cardinals, however, struggled from the floor and only led 18- 10 at the end of the period. The fouls evened up in the second quarter, with the majority of the calls going against the Cardinals. Cardinal Newman's defense tightened up, allowing the Falcons only five points and leading to easy baskets by seniors Tré Coleman, Michael Littlejohn, and Alex Kubas. The Cardinals led going into intermission, 35- 15.

From there, the Cardinals slowly pulled farther ahead, increasing the lead to 26 points at the end of three, punctuated by a steal and breakaway dunk by Coleman. Tempers started to flare in the fourth quarter, as an intentional foul was called against one of the Falcons on a breakaway chance by Littlejohn, and a technical foul was assessed against a Cardinal player. The referees got everything under control, and the game ended without any more hostilities.

Photo by Jim Marczesky Cardinal Newman's Michael Littlejohn shoots over Ben Lippen's Mitchell Deter (#12) and Matt Smarr (#44). Littlejohn led the Cardinals with 21 points and was corwned Coming Home king.

Littlejohn led the Cardinals with 21 points, and Coleman and sophomore Nick O'Rourke each chipped in 11. Mitchell Deter did his best to keep the Falcons in the game, scoring 22 of their 43 points.

As for the festivities, Littlejohn was also crowned Coming Home King by the student body. Juniors Gee Davis and David Roth finished second and third, giving the basketball team a sweep of the top three awards. Sophomore Kyle Gawinski finished fourth.