Newton County was well represented at The Premier Preps of East Mississippi sports banquet held last week at MSU-Meridian.
Four different players were honored as players of the year in their respective sports while six others were honored for being selected to their particular sports teams.
The first name called out was Newton’s Ladarius Hardy, who was named the Premier Preps of East Mississippi Male Track Athlete of the year. Hardy, who attended the banquet with head coach Ed McGowin, was selected for the honor after winning the Class 2A state championship in the 110-meter hurdles and being part of the 4x800 state championship relay team.
Not far after behind Hardy was Newton County’s Jada McDougle who was named the Girls Track Athlete of the year. McDougle burst onto the track scene this past year as she claimed the unofficial title as the state’s fastest female as she won the Class 4A state championship in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. Her times in the 100 and 200 were the fastest in any classification.
In the team sports, Newton County Academy sophomore Kemp Alderman was honored as the Premier Preps of East Mississippi Baseball Player of the Year. Despite battling a hip injury this season, Kemper finished with an eye-popping .612 batting average and nine home runs and 30 RBIs.
Rounding out the Player of the Year honors was Newton County’s Joel Hill, who was selected as the Premier Preps of East Mississippi Male Soccer Player of the Year. Hill, who signed to play at East Central Community College, was selected to the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-star soccer game after leading Newton County in goals this past season.
Newton’s Javarious Moore and Brandon Payne were selected to the basketball team along with Newton County’s Jaylin Nicholson.
Moore was one of two Newton County athletes who also drew double honors as he was selected to the football team along with teammate Tre Hillie.
McDougle was also selected to the fast-pitch softball team while Newton County’s Brynn Boutwell was selected to the girls’ soccer team. Newton’s Myja McNichols was selected the girls’ basketball team.
Current Georgia women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor, a former Meridian High School standout, was the keynote speaker of the event which is sponsored by The Meridian Star and Mississippi Power.
