Newport Tigers Start Season Under New Coach, Community Eyes Upper Valley Teams

Area high school basketball moved to the front of local sports coverage as teams across the Upper Valley opened the 2025 to 2026 season in mid December. Thetford Academy enters the calendar as the defending VPA Division III champion, while the Newport Tigers arrive with a new head coach and a mix of experienced returners and fresh faces.

Newport comes off a regular season that produced 13 wins and 5 losses and a quarterfinal playoff exit last year. Ethan Houde, promoted from an assistant role to head coach, takes over a roster that includes returning players Adrian Sanchez, Connor Clark, Aidan Couitt, Cam Nerenburg, Brycen Flewelling and Kevin Earthrowl. The team also adds newcomers who are expected to contribute as coaches work to replace graduated stars and build a renewed team culture.

The preview also covered Hanover, Hartford, Lebanon, Mascoma, Stevens and other nearby programs, noting coaching changes, roster turnover and key returners as season openers approached. Local rivalries and scheduling shaped early season matchups, giving communities reasons to gather at school gyms and follow results closely.

Beyond wins and losses, the season matters to Sullivan County for public health and social equity reasons. High school athletics provide structured physical activity that supports youth mental health and resilience, and weekly games and practices create regular community rituals that bolster social cohesion in small towns. At the same time resource differences between districts can affect access to coaching, training equipment and medical coverage for injuries. Ensuring equitable access to athletic trainers, concussion protocols and transportation to games remains a local policy concern tied to student safety and wellbeing.

As the season begins, fans and families will be tracking Newport and neighboring teams for both competitive outcomes and the broader community benefits of youth sport. Coaches, school leaders and health partners will play a key role in balancing competitive goals with injury prevention, inclusive participation and support for student athletes across Sullivan County.