From pure point guards to slashing scorers, to three-point specialists and glass-eating post players, you can put this year’s The Covington News All-Newton County Teams up against anyone in Georgia, and they can compete, if not win.

That’s proven when you isolate the individual parts that make up this year’s all-county squad and see that they’ve been successful against some of the best talent Georgia has to offer.

This year’s all-area squad is rife with guard talent, including boys top player J.D. Notae, and first-team boys selections Ashton Hagans, Isaiah Miller and Keiodre Perry.

Hagans, as a sophomore, may already be the best pure floor general in the state, and considered one of the best in the nation for the class of 2019.

Miller is one of the most athletic ballers this area has seen in a long time. Meanwhile, guys like Perry and Des Dyer not only provide scoring punch and rebounding prowess – Dyer averaged a double-double for the season – they also play with a contagious heart-on-the-sleeve passion that teammates say make them a joy to be around.

And there’s depth too. Second team guys like Newton’s Darvin Jones and Josh Tukes could make cases for first team honors. Carnarcion Cosby and AJ Paschal almost helped will an up-and-down Alcovy squad into the second round of the playoffs, singlehandedly. And don’t forget about the honorable mention up-and-comers like sophomores Armani Harris and Colby Rogers and Torrie Crawford – quite possibly players poised to be tomorrow’s stars.

On the girls’ side, the talent is just as rife.

Girls Player of the Year Lexi Chatman is a shooter among shooters, and Jurnee Smith – thanks to a late season emergence – isn’t too far behind. Janelle Cook was a quiet star for the Lady Rams, and Eastside freshman Alysee Dobbs played with hustle and confidence beyond her years.

It’s a well-rounded, versatile bunch that gives a sizable sampling of just how good basketball in this area can be.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you our 2016-17 All-County Teams:

2016-17 Boys All-Newton County Team

First Team

Isaiah Miller — Newton

J.D. Notae — Newton

Ashton Hagans — Newton

Keiodre Perry — Eastside

Des Dyer — Eastside

Second Team

Darvin Jones — Newton

Carnarcion Cosby — Alcovy

AJ Paschal — Alcovy

Josh Tukes — Newton

Dante Johnson — Newton

Honorable Mention

Armani Harris — Newton

Colby Rogers — Newton

Torrie Crawford — Eastside

Justin Benjamin — Eastside

Shaq Brown – Alcovy

2016-17 Girls All-Newton County Team:

First Team

Lexi Chatman — Newton

Jurnee Smith — Newton

Janelle Cook — Newton

Alysee Dobbs — Eastside

Tamia Brown — Alcovy

Second Team

Nia Davis — Eastside

Demerika Mosley — Newton

Je-naya Smith — Newton

Asia Hyman — Newton

Takiya Cotton — Newton

Honorable Mention

Rachel Hilliard — Newton

D’Erica Farley — Eastside

Chasity Smith — Eastside

Serai Johnson — Alcovy

Ariyan Franklin — Alcovy

Erianna Card — Newton