By Hope Eckley, Staff Writer
The Newman men’s basketball team is getting ready to say farewell to four seniors this Saturday.
Four seniors who will be honored are: Kalin Johnson, a guard, Juwan Davenport, a guard and forward, Marshawn Blackmon, a forward, and Anthony Harvey Jr., a guard.
Although the season has not gone the way the team planned, they do not have any regrets, team members said. The players had to overcome a lot of adversity, and that is what made this season great, senior Anthony Harvey said.
“I’m grateful for the experience and many lessons I’ve learned along the way despite the outcome of the season,” senior Juwan Davenport said.
As the two seniors finish their final semester at Newman, they both have big plans for their futures.
Harvey plans to go to the police academy in December and eventually become a detective and a teacher.
“Newman has really been a different experience for me. It is my first private school, and I have never been around people that have such big goals for their future, but I think this helped me set my goals outside of just athletics,” Harvey said.
Unlike Harvey, Davenport is not ready to be finished playing basketball. He plans to continue his athletic career overseas in a professional basketball league.
“Newman has really helped me grow up and truly understand the meaning of hard work and preparation. It also taught me the importance of living in the moment and creating relationships that will last far beyond court or the classroom,” Davenport said.
So far this season, Davenport has played in every game and has been able to lead the team to nine wins so far.
“The big games and tough battles are the most memorable moments as an athlete. It’s important to always remember where you came from and how you started. Through thick and thin as a team, the joy of coming out victorious in tough games is unbeatable as an athlete,” Davenport said.
Harvey’s advice to incoming freshmen and current students at Newman is to be yourself.
“It’s the easiest way to make friends. Do not try to be anything you are not. Be you and you’ll love your experience as a college athlete or even just as a student,” Harvey said.
PHOTO: Courtesy Photo, Newman Athletics
