Since Newton Basketball Coach Rick Rasmussen has been at Newton High School, the Rams have had 26 players go on to play in college. Of the 26, eight are currently playing in college with three of them playing at the NCAA Division I level.
“We are very proud of all of our former players who [do] great things after high school, whether they play college basketball or not. These eight guys have used their God-given athletic abilities to take the next step to play college basketball, and it has been a pleasure to watch these young men mature and grow to be where they are. It did not happen overnight either,” Rasmussen said.
“Yes these guys were athletically talented, but they also had to have the work ethic, commitment, and competitive drive to impress college coaches and work hard in the classroom to have the opportunity to move up to the next level. We are proud of how well they are doing for their schools and how much they have played and contributed right away for their respective teams,” he added. “This is a testament to how hard players have to work in high school to be ready for the accountability that comes with playing at the next level. This is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching in high school. We love when former players stay in touch with us and it is always great to get the chance to watch our former players play in college.”
Derrick Henry (NHS Class of 2011) - A graduate transfer from Winthrop University. Working toward a MBA from The Citadel. Just scored a college career-high 30 points in a win over USC-Upstate on a career-high six three-pointers. Led Winthrop in scoring in sophomore season. Second all-time scorer in NHS history, with nearly 2,000 career points. Was a two-time Region 2-AAAAA player of the year (POY) at Newton and three-time all-state selection in HS. Selected as Georgia South AAAAA POY in senior season. Played in GACA state junior and senior all-star games in high school. Currently leads Citadel in scoring with 17.9 PPG and has been in double figures every game. Also leads the team in free throws (FT) made (28) and FT % (93.3).
Stephen Croone (NHS Class of 2012) - First team all-conference last season. Is on the Lou Henson Award list for top Mid-Major College Player of the Year. Led Furman in scoring the last two seasons. Was Georgia South State POY in AAAAA in senior season and selected to play in GACA Senior All-Star game in high school. Currently leads team in scoring as a senior with 15 points per game (PPG) after missing the first two games due to wrist surgery. Has climbed to 17th all-time career scoring at Furman and should be in top ten by season’s end. Also leads team in assists, free throw attempts, makes and percentage.
Shane Henry (NHS Class of 2012) - Senior at Virginia Tech of the ACC. Has started all six games this year. Started for two years at Georgia Perimeter College before signing with Virginia Tech.
Rashard Cabane (NHS Class of 2013) - Starting SF for West Georgia Tech as a junior. Has started six of nine games averaging 8.2 PPG and 3.9 RPG.
Jalen Glover (NHS Class of 2014) - Playing at Eastern Florida State College as a freshman after one year of prep school in Florida at TAAG Academy. Junior College freshman. Team stands at 9-1 and is ranked second in the state.
D.J. Hill (NHS Class of 2015) - Led Mobile to first 6-0 start since 1996 as starting PG as only a freshman. Had 10 points other day in conference win. Mobile is an NAIA Div. I school. Currently leads team in FT % and second in steals and is near the top in minutes played as only a freshman.
Donovan Grubb (NHS Class of 2015) - Reserve forward at West Georgia Tech. Junior College.
Antonio Smith (NHS Class of 2015) - Reserve center at West Georgia Tech. Junior College.
