It might be hard to believe, but it’s time to put away the pigskin and pick up the basketball for our local teams. Yes, the 2022-23 basketball season is upon us in what feels like a year of destiny for most of the Newton County area teams. 

Each program enters the new season with high expectations. 

Expectations don’t get any higher than with the Newton boys basketball program, either. Coming off a Final Four finish last year, the Rams seem hungrier than ever for a state title run. 

With the return of 5-star Stephon Castle, 4-star Jakai Newton and 3-star MJ Whitlock along with some new supporting role players assisting, Newton seems to have the pieces in place to pull off a state championship season. 

Then, there’s the Eastside Lady Eagles. It’s been a rocky last few years for the program but, after watching the Lady Eagles compete in a preseason scrimmage a few days ago, head coach Gladys King seems to have the program heading in the right direction. 

Players like Mehkyla White, Jailyn Williams and Kaliel Kracht have emerged as the team leaders and poised to put together a successful season. I honestly have this team as a dark horse coming out of Region 8-AAAAA. 

And let’s not overlook the Alcovy Tigers on Highway 36. Head coach Mack Hardwick has raved about two freshmen Andrea Jernigan and Jakori Pinelle who have exploded onto the local basketball scene. So much so that Hardwick was adamant that both players could see substantial playing time even as underclassmen. 

Also, I attended a media day event hosted by Hardwick and there seems to be a renewed energy surrounding not only this program, but the Lady Tigers as well. 

Speaking of the Lady Tigers, they’ll be a senior-heavy team this season with Carltajah Jackson, Josalyn Branch, T’Erica Smith, Samiya Chinnery and Maria Harris returning. Not only that, but a large crop of underclassmen came back after winning the junior varsity NewRock championship in 2021-22.

So, the Lady Tigers don’t just seem ready to be successful this season, but for seasons to come under head coach Justin Hunter. 

Traveling down the road to Social Circle are two programs coming off monumental seasons. 

Taking a look at the boys basketball team first. The Redskins finished with a 30-1 record after finishing their season in the Final Four. You’d think after losing players such as Tyrhell Branch and KJ Reid that this team might need a rebuild. I don’t think so. 

Not when you have players like Lamarius Jackson and AJ Vinson returning ready to make their own mark on the basketball program. Plus, head coach Taylor Jackson provides continuity by returning to the helm. 

Shifting over to the Lady Redskins. They ended a six-year postseason drought last year, but they’re looking to do more than just be participants this go round. 

And they have the players to do it. Jada Hyman has become the star of the program as last year she led the team in scoring as a freshman. Not to mention other returning players like Zikierra Stewart and Ella Archer who will play big roles this season. On top of that, veteran head coach Dave LaBarrie will be steering the ship. 

Going back to Eastside, the Eagles will be a scary team for opponents to keep an eye out for, I think. Head coach Dorrian Randolph is determined to get the Eagles back to the postseason after missing the mark last year. And I believe he has the team to do it, too. 

Kassen Saunders and Montarious Reed will provide the on-court leadership the Eagles need, but really, it seems like this team genuinely loves playing team basketball. Not saying that the other local teams don’t but, because the Eagles are such a comparatively small squad, they easily fit into that team style of play that helps make them a quality team. 

And finally, I conclude this column with none other than the Newton Lady Rams. This team is going to be an exciting one to watch I believe. 

Under the direction of first-year head coach Jawan Bailey, the Lady Rams will field an almost entirely new team. But, in talking with Bailey, that doesn’t discourage this team with their goals. 

That could make for an interesting season for Newton. It will be led by Derrinique White and Tania Bailey. But, if we’re being honest, multiple players will have huge roles to play for this year’s team, which makes it difficult for opponents to prepare for, too. 

There’s no doubt about it. This will be a fun and exciting season for the Newton County area when it comes to basketball. I foresee at least five of the eight local teams making the postseason and a few teams contending for region and state titles. 

Who will those teams be? We’ll have to find out when the season tips off. In the meantime, let’s sit back and enjoy what this season has in store.