VIDALIA, La. — Newman High put on a clinic at the expense of Ferriday High Friday, as the Greenies defeated the Trojans 72-45 in the regionals of the Class 2A playoffs.

The majority of Newman’s points came in the paint as a crisp passing game and players cutting to the goal led to several easy baskets.

&uot;They just outhustled us,&uot; said Ferriday coach James Davis. &uot;We came out flat-footed. We knew they were a good team. But we had a good season.&uot;

Ferriday led 5-4 early in thecontest before the Greenies cut through the Trojan full-court press time and again and ran out to a 17-10 first quarter advantage.

Ferriday struggled from the field and free throw line in the second period, making one of 10 shots from the charity stripe and netting only one field goal as the Greenies scored the final 13 points of the period for a 32-13 halftime advantage.

&uot;I thought our defense was real solid,&uot; said Newman coach Billy Fitzgerald. &uot;They missed a few shots early and we got the rebound and were able to go down and score. We were able to build a lead and I think they were a little frustrated. We were able to beat their press and just got more confident. I thought we played a good ball game. I was real pleased.&uot;

Ferriday managed only one basket over the first four minutes of the third quarter before two James Campbell free throws and a Johnny Brooks 3-pointer to cut Newman’s lead to 41-20.

The Greenies led 49-25 after three quarters.

Ferriday could only get as close as 19 points in the final stanza as Newman continued getting baskets under the goal.

The Greenies outscored the Trojans 23-20 in the final period.

Matt Mann led Newman, 22-9, with 18 points. Mark Spitzer added 14, while Ben Montgomery and Jame Lapeyre added 12 each.

Ferriday, which ends its season at 17-10, was led by Lawrence Washington with 11. Campbell and Jason Scott added 10 each.

&uot;We just couldn’t get anything going,&uot; Scott said. &uot;They were really good on offense and defense. They set a lot of back picks and we weren’t ready for that.&uot;

Ferriday, a wild card, advanced to the second round after upsetting Opelousas Catholic last week.

Friday’s contest was played at Vidalia High because Ferriday’s gym has a tendency to sweat when the humidity is high inside and the weather is cool on the outside.

Newman, which has won nine state championships, advances to the quarterfinals against the winner of the Friday’s Springhill-St. Helena contest.