Newton, 15, and a freshman at Flowery Branch, helped lead the Georgia Magic 14-and-under AAU team out of Atlanta to the national championship last year.
Waller, 15, has already won one state title as a member of Gainesville's championship team last year as a freshman.
What do the two have in common?
They will meet for the first time Tuesday night when Gainesville travels to Flowery Branch for a critical Region 7-AAA South game.
It is expected to be the beginning of a spirited rivalry in Hall County over the next three years.
"It should be a lot fun," Newton said before practice Monday. "(Kita's) a great player and I'm looking forward to playing against her. She's hard to stop."
"She's tough," Waller said of Newton. "Even though she's a freshman, we have to treat her with respect. Once she gets going she's hard to stop."
Both players remind you of a younger Tasha Humphrey. Both can post up inside but at the same time lead a fastbreak, dribbling behind their backs and dishing out a no-look pass.
Waller, in fact, has recently had to pick up the leadership role on the court for the Lady Elephants as Humphrey nurses a sore ankle and has been limited on the court the past week.
"I have looked to pick it up a little bit because of that. But I'm not to her level...yet," Waller said.
She has averaged nearly 23 points a game over the past week - nearly 10 points above her season average - while carrying most of the offensive load.
"We always knew Kita was going to be a great player," Gainesville coach Manson Hill said. "We don't look to just one person. We stress a team-oriented style and she has just been very successful right now."
The story has been much the same for Newton, who is averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds a game for the season and leads Hall County in steals with more than 4 a game.
"Courtney has played very well at times and is going to get even better as she gets older," Flowery Branch coach Angela Middleton said.
Newton also has picked up the offensive load when teams concentrate on stopping senior Kristina Tyler or junior Beth Adcock.
"I just try to let the game come to me. I don't care how many points I get. I just want to help the team win," Newton said.
Both said they are hoping it will be a rivalry that allows both teams a chance to shine for the next few years.
"I want to be able to play for state titles like Kita and Tasha," Newton said. "Playing against players like her only makes you better and hopefully that will help us get to where we want to be."
"I want to be part of the class that wins four titles," Waller said. "If we win it this year that will be three for Tasha and it would be neat to beat that. But it's good to have someone that can push you to be the best. I think playing against Courtney the next few years will allow both of us to improve."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/1/165573