As 2025 draws to a close, the local sports scene in Newton County and surrounding areas delivered a year of remarkable triumphs, heartbreaking near-misses, and poignant farewells. From former Newton County Academy baseball standout Kemp Alderman earning the Miami Marlins Double-A Player of the Year award after a powerhouse season in Double-A and Triple-A, to Newton High School’s Erin Ware and Euniya Taylor each winning state championships in track, area athletes and teams showcased resilience and excellence across multiple sports.
1. Kemp Alderman win Miami Marlins AA Player of the Year
Former Newton County Academy and Ole Miss standout Kemp Alderman bounced back after an off-season hand surgery.
Alderman spent a majority of the season in Double AA Pensacola before being promoted to Class AAA Jacksonville. Alderman finished the season with a .285 batting average and hit 22 homer runs and had 22 stolen bases with 70 RBIs at the two levels.
The former second-round pick was later named the Miami Marlins Class AA Player of the Year.
2. East Central Baseball back in College World Series, Falls in Semifinals
The East Central Community baseball team made it back to the NCJAA Divison I College World Series for the third straight season.
The Warriors fell to rival Pearl River in the semifinals, losing the final game 10-0 after beating the Wildcats 6-5 in extra innings the day before.
The Warriors, coached by long-time coach Neal Holliman, finished with a 46-16 record and complied 100 wins in the last two seasons, completing the best two-year stretch in school history.
3. Union Football has Undefeated Regular Season
The Union football team moved up to Class 3A this past season and did something they have never done before, go undefeated in the regular season.
Union beat Pisgah 35-6 to finish off the 10-0 regular season under coach Jordan Wren. Union then beat Jefferson Davis County and Hazlehurst before falling to eventual champion Raleigh in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs to finish with a 12-1 record.
4. Newton County Academy Continues 8-man Dominance
The Newton County Academy football team had another excellent 8-man football season, making the Class 1A Division 1 semifinals, falling 42-12 to River Oaks.
The Generals finished 9-2 on the season behind a strong season from Cooper Savell, who rushed for 2,098 yards and 33 touchdowns for head coach Stevie Nelson.
5. Newton County, Lake Fall in Volleyball Finals
Both Newton County and Lake fell short of state championships this season.
Newton County lost 3-2 to New Albany in the 4A finals, two years after winning the title under head coach Matthew Beasley. Newton County won the first set 25-23 but lost the next two to trail 2-1 in the match. The Lady Cougars then won the fourth set 25-15 to force a deciding fifth set. But New Albany won that set 15-5 to take the 4A title. The Lady Cougars finished with a 35-6 record.
After making the 2A finals last year under Wyatt Tullos, the Lady Hornets made it back to Jackson under first-year coach Jacob Casey. Lake lost 3-1 to Walnut and fell short for the second straight year. Lake finished with a 29-9 record and set a school record for wins.
6. Newton Snaps 24-game Losing Streak
The Newton Tigers broke a 24-game losing streak this year when beat Mount Olive 36-14 in the second game of this season.
After going winless in his first season at Newton, Jeffrey Crosby guided the Tigers to a 2-9 record and a Class 2A playoff berth, where they met 2A finalist and defending 2A champion Heidelberg in the first round.
7. Long-time Coach Steve Harber Passes Away
A coaching career of more than 50 years came to an end when veteran coach Steve Harber lost his battle with cancer this year.
Harber won more than a 1,000 basketball games with stops at Decatur, Union, Forest, Lamar School, Newton County and finally at Newton County Academy.
Harber led the Lady Generals to the Class 3A championship game just two years ago.
8. Porter, Casey Leaves for Greener Pastures
Newton basketball coach Crandal Porter and Union volleyball coach Jacob Casey each left their long-time jobs for greener pastures.
Porter, who was on his second tour through Newton, left to become the boys basketball coach at Kemper County.
Casey, who resigned as softball coach to concentrate on volleyball, left his alma mater at Union to be the girls softball coach at Lake. Casey started his coaching career at Union and founded the volleyball program there.
9. Newton Lady Tigers Fall in 2A Semifinals
The Newton Lady Tiger basketball team made another strong run to the Big House in Jackson but fell short in the Class 2A semifinals, falling 46-36 to East Union.
The game was tied 19-19 at the half before East Union pulled away in the second half.
Erin Ware led Newton with 15 points and seven rebounds while Jamiya Jones had nine points and 12 rebounds.
10. Numerous Athletes Bring Home State Championships
While there were no team championships won this year, there were several individual championships.
In track, Newton’s Erin Ware and Euniya Taylor each won state championships. Ware won the 100-meter hurdles and set the Class 2A state record. She also won the 300-meter hurdles and the long jump. Taylor brought home gold in the triple jump, helping Newton to a second-place overall finish in Class 2A.
At NCA, two of school’s doubles teams brought home state championships in doubles. The team of Taylor Burt and Eli Herrington won the Class 3A No. 1 boys doubles title while Piper Collins and Jamie Stamper won at No 2 girls doubles.
At Union, the Yellowjackets finished second overall in Class 2A and brought home two state championships as Tristan Williamson won the 165-pound weight class and Jon Perry won the 242-pound weight class.
At Newton County, Sakiya Wesley won the 181-pound weight class.
At Lake, Jamarion’s Green won the 114-pound weight class.
