It is no secret that both the Newton and Social Circle boys basketball teams have each had impressive seasons this year. The Rams and the Redskins are still in playoff contention with both teams competing on Wednesday night. 

But, as the season has progressed, I have often wondered: What makes the Rams and Redskins special? 

Now, at this point in the year, I feel like I can form an opinion on what makes each team special in their own right. 

First, the Newton Rams. They’re set to play Archer High School on Wednesday, March 2 in the Elite Eight of the Class 7A state playoffs. 

Ironically, I first covered Newton when they traveled to Archer on Nov. 30, 2021, and won 61-60. At the time, I hadn’t met any of this year’s players let alone to see them play in a game. 

I did not know what to expect when I went to that game, but I left the matchup intrigued by how unselfish this team is. 

You would think a team that has three players committed to playing Division I college basketball and a fourth receiving numerous offers from Division I programs would have a few ball hogs. But that’s not the case at all. 

Some nights, Stephon Castle could carry the team to victory, other nights it might be Marcus Whitlock leading the way off the bench. Let’s not forget the three big men down low: Daniel Pounds, Malachi Hardy and Miokaye Grant. Those three players have been known to have a huge impact on the outcome of a game. 

That’s what I think makes this year’s Rams squad the most dangerous. 

Head coach Charlemagne Gibbons has described the team to me all year long as each player bringing their piece to the puzzle. And, for the most part, the Rams have done just that. 

It doesn’t matter when or how long each player has entered the contest, I have noticed each game I covered during the 2021-22 season that each player is committed to winning together. 

On the other side of our coverage area lies the Social Circle Redskins. 

For the sake of full transparency, I was aware of Social Circle and its athletic programs prior to taking this position. Growing up in Greene County and attending Greene County High School, my alma mater would often face the Redskins whether in region or non-region matchups. 

It is safe to say that the boys basketball team is peaking this season with all the elements coming together to have a spectacular season. 

They’re currently about to face Calhoun County in the Elite Eight on the road on Wednesday, March 2. This year’s team is led by KJ Reid, Tyhrell Branch as well as Cam Gaither and AJ Vinson. 

Throughout the year, I have gone to a few practices and interviewed aforementioned players as well as head coach Taylor Jackson. During these interviews, I have taken mental notes as to the passion each one of the players have for winning. 

Each player, in addition to others on this year’s squad, has voiced that they hate losing basketball games. And, this season, they haven’t had to experience that feeling being 29-0. 

But in all the wins, the players have been seen laughing, joking and having a good time together on the court. Even when a player makes a mistake, I have seen his teammates rally around them laughing and brushing it off. 

You can tell, this collection of players genuinely love playing with one another on the court. 

And that, to me, speaks volumes to the Redskins’ ability to dominate almost every time they touch the floor. 

Phillip B. Hubbard is sports editor of The Covington News.