No hoops in Newark: Basketball-crazy village missing its signature sport

The gymnasium at Newark High School stands uncharacteristically quiet these days.

In normal times, the tiny venue that could be straight out of the movie "Hoosiers" would be packed with patrons cheering on the Norsemen, who long ago developed a rabid passion and fandom within the basketball-eccentric communities of Newark, Millbrook and Lisbon.

Ever since NHS was built back in 1936, the three small towns have heartily embraced high school hoops, jamming the diminutive gym throughout the last 84 years with capacity crowds that can generously cap out at a mere 571 people, according to NHS Principal Jim Still.

Alas, Still won’t have to deal with a packed house at least for the balance of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Illinois High School Association and Illinois Department of Public Health have put a halt to any prep sports until at least January of 2021.

That means no girls or boys basketball for Newark — enrollment 162 — for the foreseeable future, which is devastating for a community that lives and breaths high school hoops as it starts to realize the loss of the sport that has always been its binding fabric.

"It's definitely been a void so far, and it's been really strange for all of us that are a part of Newark basketball," said varsity girls basketball coach Barb Scott. "Basketball games are where we see everybody in the community, and without those opportunities now, it's tough.

"Devastating is a good way to say it, and it's been a shock to all of our systems."

Since its early beginnings, the Norsemen girls and boys hoopsters have compiled remarkable success. In all, NHS has recorded a combined seven district titles, 36 regional crowns, seven sectional championships, one fourth-place finish (boys in 2017), one second-place result (girls in 2008) and a state championship (boys in 2011).

Add to that a collective 36 Little Ten Conference regular-season titles and 30 LTC Tournament triumphs, and it's easy to see why basketball continues to be the lifeblood of the Norsemen faithful.

One gentleman who's been around since the advent of NHS is 95-year old Clarence Toftoy, a 1943 Newark graduate. He is grandfather to NHS Hall of Fame girls basketball player Kelly (Friestad) Burks (2004) and still attends as many games as he can.

Toftoy isn't sure how many games he's witnessed in his lifetime, but he does know he'll surely miss attending contests this year at his alma mater.

"I've been in that gym for a lot of games in my life, that's for sure," Toftoy said with a chuckle. "I wouldn't begin to be able to count them all, but it's sure been fun to be part of such a great tradition of basketball at Newark.

"I've certainly witnessed many great games over the years, and because of COVID, I might not get to see my freshman great-grandson Clay compete. I can't imagine not being there this season to watch games.

"Even during World War II, we still played basketball. These are pretty hard times for all of us."

Another Newark hoop superfan is 1970 NHS grad Rich Clausel, the unofficial president of the Norsemen front-row contingent that always sits right on the floor — whether at home or on the road — in order to cheer on the local troops.

Often at odds with some calls from officials that go against Newark, Clausel and his supporting crew are fiercely loyal to NHS basketball. He knows a year without hoops just won't be the same for himself and the NHS front-row band of brothers.

"I don't know how many people will understand this, but not being able to attend games right now is a hole that I can't plug," Clausel said. "There's nothing I enjoy more than high school basketball, and we've had some great times over the years.

"It's such a shame we may not see a basketball season unless things turn around going into next year."

Newark assistant varsity and JV head coach John Avery – also an NHS Hall of Fame member and part of the 2011 Norsemen state championship contingent as a senior – echoes Clausel's feelings.

"For me, it's the first year I can remember since I was nine or ten years old that I won't be either competing or coaching in a game in our gym," Avery said. "It's so strange knowing we won't be able to experience Newark basketball at least into next year.

"Norsemen hoops are a way of life generation to generation, and that's pretty special. Not having that will certainly be tough on our program and our tremendous following of fans."