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Eastside, Social Circle wrestling have 20 combined wrestlers qualify for state
EHS Wrestling
Eastside's wrestling team celebrated their fourth place finish in Region 8-AAAAA on Saturday at Jefferson High School. - photo by Special Photo
Staff Report
Published: Feb 13, 2023, 10:56 PM

COVINGTON, Ga. — Social Circle and Eastside’s wrestling squads had a grand total of 20 combined individuals who qualified for the state meet in Macon. 

Eastside

The Eagles had Grayson Poynter (120-pound) and Jordan Hittle (132-pound) place second in their respective weight classes. Nolan Christian finished third in the 113-pound weight class. Then, Dylan Baynes (126-pound), Grayson Carter (165-pound) and Wyatt Bauer (175-pound) each finished fifth while Damani Fleming (150-pound) placed sixth. 

Jordan Amedee (138-pound) ended in seventh place and will be an alternate. 

Social Circle

All 13 state sectional qualifiers for the Redskins advanced to state. 

Brayden Mitchell (113-pound), Connor Castillo (120-pound), Curtis Duren (126-pound) and Lance Thacker (144-pound) each finished in first place in their respective weight classes to punch their tickets to state. Mason Cuendent (106-pound) and James Eldridge (150-pound) placed second while Kacen Taylor (157-pound), Sean Crews (165-pound) and Jaxon Ethridge (175-pound) qualified with third place finishes. 

The traditional state championships will be from Feb. 16-18 at the Macon Centreplex.


Jakai Newton enters transfer portal after two years at Indiana
Newton was a standout player at Newton High School
Jakai Newton
Jakai Newton (0) during his time at Newton High School. - photo by Covington News/File Photo
Evan Newton
Updated: Apr 1, 2025, 9:32 PM
Published: Apr 1, 2025, 9:29 PM

Former Newton Ram standout Jakai Newton will officially be searching for a new home.

Newton formally declared his intent to transfer from Indiana University on March 24 after entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Newton has struggled with injuries throughout his basketball career, which has kept him off the floor. 

The 2023 Newton Ram graduate suffered a knee injury during his senior year of high school. The same injury cost him his first season at Indiana.

After receiving a medical redshirt from the NCAA, Newton would only play four games in the 2024-25 season due to numerous lower body injuries. In those four appearances, he averaged 1.5 PPG and 0.8 RPG at 4.5 MPG.

However, when on the court, Newton was efficient. In just his sophomore season at Newton High School, Newton shot 34 percent from three-point range and was an efficient contributor to several Newton teams alongside players like Stephon Castle, Jabez Jenkins and Marcus Whitlock, among others.