High school basketball: Arch Manning's Newman team to play for state title after big semifinal win

Arch Manning and his teammates at Newman (New Orleans) will play for a basketball state title Saturday in Louisiana after a 70-51 semifinal victory over St. Thomas Aquinas (Hammond).

While Manning, the nation's No. 1 high school football recruit in the Class of 2023, is a solid contributor for the Greenies, he's not usually the driving force behind his team's success.

That was the case Thursday as Austin Montgomery (16 points), Canin Jefferson (14) and Chris Lockett (9 points, 5 assists) led the way, leading Newman to its 12th win in a row and improving to 27-5 on the season.

The Greenies will meet Lafayette Christian Academy on Saturday at 4 p.m. for the Division III crown. The game will be played at the Cajundome in Lafayette. Newman last won a basketball state title in 1993 – the third of three in a row – and lost in last year's final.

Manning has appeared in 26 games this year for the New Orleans school, averaging 2.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.