Eastside has a new basketball coach. After tendering a formal offer last week, the Newton County Board of Education approved the hiring of Gregory Freeman to become Eastside's third boys' basketball coach.

"The players will love his personality and knowledge for basketball," Eastside athletic director Bruce McColumn said. "He was successful at both Lee and Lamar counties. He has been very successful in getting his players signed in colleges. He brings and uptempo style of basketball that best utilizes our team's height."

Freeman guided Lamar County to the Class AA playoffs the past two season and won the region 4-AA championship last year. He's coming off a 27-4 year with Lamar County that included a trip to the Elite Eight.

Eastside has been mired in mediocrity for several years and are coming off a season in which the boys' team was the only one of six county teams not to make the state playoffs. The Eagles made the playoffs the two pervious years but were bounced in the first round.

"I truly believe his coaching style will be a breath of fresh air for Eastside basketball," McColumn said. "In no way do I want to discredit what (Gerald) did. But this is the time for a change."