OAKWOOD, Ga. — Courtney Newton is moving onward and upward.
The former Flowery Branch High standout and Flowery Branch girls coach for the past 10 seasons is officially stepping down. The announcement was made official on Wednesday despite the fact she has been working double-duty as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at South Hall Middle since the beginning of 2025.
"My time at Flowery Branch the last 10 years has been a profound part of my life, and I’m immensely proud of the success we’ve achieved together over the years," Newton said it a text on Wednesday. "I’m thankful for the relationships I have been able to form with players and families who have had a huge impact on my life throughout my coaching career. I will always carry the lessons and memories with me from my time at Flowery Branch."
In her time as coach, Newton’s Lady Falcons were the standard in Hall County almost from the start of her tenure. The Lady Falcons won 178 games, made two Elite 8 appearances (2016 and 2021), two Final Four appearances (2017 and 2019) and were the Class 5A state runners-up in 2018. Newton also guided the Lady Falcons to four consecutive Lanierland Tournament titles (2015-18), only the third time that has been done in the 65-year history of the tournament.
In all, Flowery Branch advanced to five Elite 8s and they made the playoffs in 8 of her 10 seasons at the helm. A very young Flowery Branch team finished 4-22 and did not qualify for the Class 4A playoffs this past season.
But she also said it was time to begin a new journey. She will be working alongside former North Hall girls coach Kristi House, whom she coached against for several years, who was named South hall Middle Principal earlier this school year.
"I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to step into a new role as assistant principal/athletic director at South Hall," Newton said. "I’m excited to get to work at an amazing school and with the great faculty and staff at South Hall. I’m thankful to work alongside Kristi, who had been a mentor to me over the years. The community and culture at South Hall is special and I’m ready to get to work my new role. I’m proud to be apart of the Knight family."
