FLOWERY BRANCH -- The youth movement in local prep basketball continued Tuesday.
Flowery Branch High Principal Dr. Jason Carter and Athletic Director Jimmy Lawler announced that former Flowery Branch standout Courtney Newton has been selected to fill the vacant girls basketball coaching position, pending board of education approval.
Newton is the second 26-or-under coach tabbed to take over a Hall County program within the last month. Another former Flowery Branch player, Zac Swansey (25) will be taking over the West Hall boys program beginning next season.
Newton, 26, and a 2007 Flowery Branch grad, will be replacing Hazel Hall, who recently announced her retirement at the end of the current school year.
Newton was the head girls coach at Lexington High School in Lexington, South Carolina this past prep season. In her one season at Lexington, the team doubled its win total from seven to 14. Under her tutelage, Lexington had its first All-State selection in six years and had two players selected to the All Region team.
“She absolutely blew us away with her interview,” Lawler said. “I had 66 resumes come across our desk with a lot of coaches with a lot of experience and different backgrounds but honestly none of them was as prepared or as impressive as she was. Her professionalism and passion for the job was second to none. We feel very, very fortunate to have her coming here.”
Newton said Flowery Branch was the only place she would have left Lexington for after just one season.
“I loved the girls over there and the school and everyone there. But Flowery Branch has been like my dream job and when I heard the job was open I felt I had to look into it,” Newton said. “I’m very excited to get this opportunity. This is where my passion lies and I’m ready to help take us to the next level.”
As a standout for the Lady Falcons under then coach Angela Middleton, Newton averaged 15 points as a freshman, 19 as a sophomore, 24 as a junior and 24 points, seven rebounds and three steals as a senior, earning her a spot on the Georgia All-Star team and an honorable mention Street & Smith's All-America selection.
Following her outstanding high school career, Newton earned a scholarship to South Carolina. However, several serious knee injuries derailed a promising career early on. She was finally healthy in her senior season and as captain of the Lady Gamecocks she helped lead them to the Sweet 16 of the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Lawler said her tenacity in the face of adversity stood out.
“To see someone like Courtney handle things the way she did and come back and have success, that was a powerful message,” Lawler said. “She has been there and can relate and can be a tremendously positive influence for the girls. I think that is one reason she is going to be a great coach for a long time.”
Ironically, her redshirt freshman season at South Carolina was the first season for Dawn Staley, who recently led South Carolina to the Women’s Final Four. Newton said her time watching Staley while recovering from injuries help shape her desire to coach.
“I learned so much from her and how she did things,” Newton said. “I don’t think I would have the opportunity at Lexington without learning what I did from Coach Staley. She is an amazing coach.”
Newton did not say specifically that she feels there is some unfinished business for her at Flowery Branch, but the goal is the ultimate prize.
“We got to the Elite 8 when I was there and that was great,” Newton said. “But that was as a player. I see it from a different perspective now. I had my time. These girls need to make their own mark. For me it will be about helping these girls establish themselves and learn the game the right way.
“Coach Hall did a great job and I’m going to try and keep it going. Hopefully we can get to the ultimate goal of a state championship. But it’s going to take a lot of hard work. I’m ready to get started and I think the girls are as well.”
In addition to her duties leading the Lady Falcons’ basketball program, Newton will serve as a guidance counselor at the school.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/4/303401/former-lady-falcon-newton-tabbed-as-new-girls-basketball-coach