Newton High senior shooting guard Jamon Hawkins has been invited to participate in the USA Junior Nationals International Sports Festival from July 21-27 in Columbus, Ohio.

Hawkins was chosen after an outstanding performance recently during the USA Junior Nationals all-state high school basketball competition at Georgia Tech.

Based in Madison, Wis., the USA Junior Nationals provides one of the top amateur competitions in the United States. It offers the program to all athletes who have a high talent level in basketball and want to develop their skills and techniques through statewide, national and international play.

This is a unique opportunity for all athletes to improve their basketball talent through highly organized competition. Information about the participating athletes, including Hawkins, is provided to educational institutions throughout the country and Canada for possible scholarship opportunities.

Hawkins was recently selected to the 2007-2008 AAAAA Boys Basketball All-State First Team. He averaged 15.0 points in 27 games this season, helping the Rams to an overall 17-9 record.

In addition, Hawkins shot 41 percent from the field, including 40 percent from the 3-point line. He averaged 4.2 rebounds assists, 4.8 assists and 3.5 steals per game.

The USA Junior Nationals offers competitions at approximately 42 sites in the spring with competitions scheduled throughout the South, Midwest, East and West coasts. Athletes who demonstrate advanced skills, team leadership, competitive spirit and good sportsmanship advance to the next level of play which is the USA Junior Nationals International Sports Festival.